Synonym
Otalgia
What to do for earache?
The treatment of earache depends on the disease that causes it. In case of middle ear infection, painkillers and decongestant nasal drops should be given. If necessary, antibiotics may have to be given even in severe cases so that the inflammation can recede.
If the course of the disease is severe with fever or the symptoms are not receding, antibiotic treatment would be considered. The inflammation of the mastoid (an adjacent bone of the skull on the ear) with a protruding ear is an absolute emergency in ENT medicine and must be treated surgically. Likewise, the numerous tumorous changes in the auditory canal or the inner ear must be treated by surgery after a reliable diagnosis has been made.
Every therapy can also be supported by homeopathic medication. There are no preventive measures for most of the diseases causing earache. However, it has been found that passive smoking rapidly increases the incidence of middle ear infections. Furthermore, there are studies that see a connection between kindergarten care, low social status, non-stuffing, the use of pacifiers and the occurrence of middle ear infections. Traumatic injuries to the external auditory canal can be prevented by avoiding the use of cotton swabs or other sharp objects used to clean the ear.
Prognosis
According to the causative factors, the prognosis of earache is different. On average, middle ear infections in children heal without consequences. In some cases, however, there may be a chronic course, which may also be due to anatomical factors (narrow corridors, reduced air circulation).
Even eardrums pierced by cotton swabs or sharp objects can heal almost without consequences with slight hearing loss in the corresponding ear. The prognosis of malignant diseases depends entirely on the histological type (malignant/good), on the spread of the disease, on the involvement of the lymphatic system and on accompanying factors that worsen the general prognosis.
