Earaches are more common among children, but adults can certainly experience them as well.

So, if you’re experiencing ear pain, what’s causing it? There are many possible culprits, and our team at AFC Urgent Care Bronx Webster Ave. highlights them below.

What Are the Common Causes of Earaches?

The most common causes of earaches are injury, infection, irritation in the ear and referred pain, which is pain felt somewhere other than the infected or injured site. A common example of referred ear pain is TMJ, which is pain that has to do with the jaw but can be felt in the ear, as well.

We’ve listed some more specific causes of ear pain below.

Common Culprits of Ear Pain

• Ear infection
• Change in pressure, such as when flying on a plane
• Earwax buildup
• Sinus infection
• Use of cotton swabs in the ear
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
• Perforated eardrum
• Impacted tooth
• Eczema in the ear canal

What Can I Do to Reduce My Ear Pain?

There are many effective home remedies that we’ve listed below, but sometimes ear pain needs medical attention.

If you are unsure when to talk to a medical professional about your ear pain, experts say to do so if you experience severe ear pain that stops suddenly. This could be a sign of a ruptured eardrum. Also, if symptoms like dizziness, swelling around the ear or a bad headache appear, don’t wait to visit our AFC center to get medical treatment.

Home Remedies for Ear Pain

• Apply a cold washcloth to the ear.
• Avoid getting the ear wet.
• Place several drops of hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear.
• Sleep without putting pressure on the ear.
• Sit upright to help relieve ear pressure.
• Use over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops.
• Take OTC pain relievers.

Ear pain is definitely concerning, so don’t wait to get the medical care that you need! Visit our AFC Urgent Care Bronx Webster Ave. team today.