Earaches can be painful and difficult to handle no matter your age. Commonly seen in children and toddlers, earaches can affect one or both ears. Thankfully, with proper at-home care, earaches can dissipate without medical treatment.
However, deciding what constitutes a common earache and an emergency may not be so transparent. Below we’ve categorized the symptoms and signs of earache -- and when to see a professional.
Addressing the Symptoms of Earache
The pain associated with an earache can be very nuanced: some people may experience sharp, throbbing pain and others may experience dull, consistent pain.
Common environmental factors, like air pressure while flying, can lead to sudden ear discomfort. These factors are temporary and will diminish over time. To help ease discomfort, try chewing gum or swallowing for quick relief.
Earwax buildup can contribute to ear pressure and discomfort. However, use extreme caution when cleaning wax from eardrums. Permanent ear damage can occur from using cotton swabs to clean wax from ears, so it’s best to defer wax buildup removal to the professionals.
Identifying Earache and Infection Symptoms in Children
EverydayHealth estimates that 3 out of every 4 children will develop an ear infection. To determine if your child or baby has an ear infection, know these signs:
Tugging at the ear
Fever
Irritability
Ear drainage
Crying at night
Nearly all ear infections include earache but not every earache is the sign of an infection. It’s very common for young children and babies to experience earache at much higher rates than adults.
If you or your child have an accompanying fever, sore throat or stuffy nose, it may be sign of an infection. In this case, it’s important to seek medical attention for the best treatment for you or your child’s symptoms.
Your doctor will determine the cause of the infection and prescribe the necessary treatment for quick, effective relief. If bacteria is the cause of the infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics.
However, if your child has experienced many ear infections, more serious treatment may be necessary. Your doctor will discuss available options for your young one.
Proper Care for Your Earache
Earaches, much like headaches, can strike at any time. They may be sharp, shooting pain or a come-and-go dull pain. Either way, most earaches are temporary and usually resolve over time with pain relievers.
However, some earaches, especially in children, may signal an ear infection, which requires professional treatment. Ear infections, although common, can be painful and cause your little one major distress.
Crimson Care, with multiple locations in Tuscaloosa, is capable of providing compassionate care for your family. If you or your child is suffering from an earache that isn’t going away on its own, we offer 24/7 urgent care -- with wait times and prices much better than an ER!
As an urgent care facility, Crimson Care provides the highest quality of care in a timely manner. Get relief from earache and pain on the schedule that works for you today.
Find Relief from Earache with Crimson Care in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Dr. Ramesh Peramsetty -- along with his entire Crimson Care team -- is committed to making medical services convenient and accessible. The clinic offers three Tuscaloosa locations: Skyland, Veterans Memorial and McFarland. All locations offer extended weekday hours and one-stop treatment services including medical care, x-rays, lab work, and prescription dispensing. Crimson Care also offers digital access through its online patient portal. Request prescription refills, complete any necessary patient forms online, review your medical records at any time, and even pay your bill. Check us out today on our website, or give us a call today at Crimson Care Veterans: (205) 507-1100, Crimson Care Skyland: (205) 507-1119, or First Care: (205) 349-2323.