Ear wax, or cerumen, works to protect the inner ear from dust and other objects. Some people develop more ear wax than others, causing a buildup. Many people think using a cotton swab can clean the ear, but it poses a risk of damaging the inner...
Ear infections---caused by fluid clogging the passages inside the ear, which traps bacteria or viruses---can be quite painful because of the pressure of fluid buildup. Sometimes ear infections clear up naturally within a few days. Other times,...
Swimmer's ear is an infection that strikes the ear canal when the organ is exposed to excessive moisture on a regular basis. The medical term is acute external otitis, but the term swimmer's ear is used because swimmers often have a hard time...
An earache can be bothersome, particularly when you are trying to sleep or rest. The pain, which may be dull or sharp, can be nagging and difficult to ignore. An inner ear infection is a common cause of earaches. Ear infections are especially...
Earwax is a sticky liquid produced by the cerumen glands in the skin inside the ear canal. It protects the ear by trapping anything that might fly, fall or be blown into the ear canal, such as dirt, dust, insects or bacteria. When too much wax...
Most ear pain is caused by inflammation or infection in the middle ear. Although ear infections are more common in children, adults can also develop middle ear infections, or otitis media. According to he American Academy of Otolaryngology, fluid...
The causes of ear infections are many, and home treatments can soothe symptoms and hasten healing. Most earaches are painful with sensations that may extend into the head and sinuses. The causes of ear infections range from a foreign object or...
Ear congestion occurs due to the accumulation of fluids behind the ear drum and is a common complication of bacterial middle ear infections. Sometimes, the fluid remains trapped behind the ear drum even after the infection has run its course. Ear...
Earaches may occur in one or both ears and may be the result of several underlying causes. Earaches may present with either a dull ache or sudden, sharp, throbbing pains. Treating ear pain with home remedies is a first line of defense. If caught...
Earwax is a naturally occurring product of the ear; the wax protects the inner ear from dirt and debris. Still, some patients have overproduction of earwax that may lead to impaction or hearing difficulty. Nothing should ever be placed inside of...
Ear pain is a hallmark of childhood; almost all children have experienced earaches at one time in their short lives. Some ear pain is the sign of a bacterial infection, while other discomfort may be simply a result of congestion or a change in air...
Home remedies for removing ear wax buildup are cost-effective and comparable to some of the methods used in a clinical setting. Ear wax migrates out of the ear canal naturally, but some people accumulate a buildup regularly, causing symptoms of...
The pain, pressure and fever that can result from ear infections may cause plenty of discomfort for kids and worry for their parents. Sometimes they need to visit a doctor for prescription antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. But...
An earache in babies can be due to an infection or a trapped object in the ear canal, such as wax or water. Most earache treatments can be administered at home. If an infant has a high fever or an earache that persists beyond a few days, medical...
Ear wax helps keep foreign objects and substances, such as bacteria and dust, from damaging the sensitive parts of your inner ear. Nonetheless, occasionally, too much wax may accumulate in your ear canals, a condition known as cerumen impaction in...
Ear infections are among the most common illnesses in childhood, according to MayoClinic.com. Most infections of the ear are caused by bacteria that overpopulate in the ear and cause irritation. DrGreene.com, the website of pediatrician and author...
You can use vinegar to treat fungal ear infections, such as swimmer's ear. However, before doing so, you should get a medical professional to confirm that the cause of the problem is in fact fungus, since vinegar won't do you any good otherwise....
If you suspect you have an ear infection, talk to your doctor. Infections need to be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible to prevent complications. If you can't reach your doctor immediately, however, using salt can help ease some of the...
Ear infections are the result of various factors and may present with sharp, cutting pains or a dull ache in the side of the head. Earaches can occur in one or both ears; and with early treatment, many resolve quickly without causing complications...
Ear wax is a normal part of the body's defense mechanism against dirt and germs. It provides a waterproof lining for the inner ear, traps dirt and slows the growth of bacteria. It's not known why some people develop more ear wax or experience...
If you are getting over a cold or suffering from seasonal allergies or sinusitis, you may experience congestion in your ears caused by a buildup of fluid or swelling in the middle ear. MayoClinic.com describes the condition as feeling as though...
According to Kids Health, ear infections are a common problem in children. A passage called a eustachian is located between your throat and middle ear. The tube helps to keep air in and out of your ears. However, the tubes in children are small...
An auricular hematoma, more commonly known as cauliflower ear, occurs when the cartilage of the outer ear is damaged. Boxers and wrestlers are at particular risk for this injury, but any blow to the ear can result in damage and lead to cauliflower...
Ear pressure occurs when pressure inside the eardrum differs from pressure outside the eardrum. This condition, called ear barotrauma, often causes discomfort, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Ear...
Ear infection in babies can be caused by illness or an underdeveloped eustachian tube that traps fluids inside the inner ear. When this occurs, bacteria can reproduce, causing infection. The eustachian tube normally drains fluids from the inner...
Clogged or plugged ears can be the result of accumulated ear wax, swimmer's ear and ear infection. Although seldom a sign of serious medical conditions, clogged ears can indicate the presence of a ruptured eardrum. Although the cause of clogged...
Sinusitis and earaches---commonly caused by bacterial infections---are characterized by inflammation and pain. Although ear infections are rare among adults, the University of Michigan Health System estimates that 35 million Americans visit...
Outer ear pain is often caused by an ear infection due to fluid buildup in the ear. Allergies, frequent swimming and an overabundance of ear wax can lead to painful ear infections. While ear infections are common in children, adults sometimes...
Water can enter your ear after showering, swimming or any time your ears have been submerged. Once it enters, the water can become trapped in the ear canal, resulting in growth of bacteria or fungi. These growths can lead to a severe infection if...
