Stinging in the ear, a special category of ear pain, can be uncomfortable and annoying after only a short time – if the pain does not go away on its own. The pain can have very different causes, ranging from harmless to absolutely in need of treatment. If none of the rather harmless reasons can be identified as the trigger for the ear pain, a specialist should be consulted immediately.
What is stinging in the ear?
Most often, the stabbing pain can be localized in the external auditory canal, but it can also affect the middle ear and, in very rare cases, the inner ear. Stinging in the ear refers to a specific ear pain that can occur in one or both ears at the same time. Most often, the stabbing pain can be localized in the external auditory canal, but can also affect the middle ear and, in very rare cases, the inner ear. Sharp pains that originate from the pinna of the ear are also considered earaches. They may be persistent or occur only with mild mechanical stress, such as chewing or pulling on the earlobe or pinna. In many cases, the stabbing pain is accompanied by impaired hearing and by dizziness because either the eardrum or the organs of the sense of balance (arcuates and otoliths) are affected. If blood or a watery or purulent foul-smelling tissue fluid leaks from the ear in parallel with the ear pain, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist should be consulted immediately.
Causes
The main causes of stinging earache are:
- Obstruction of the external auditory canal by foreign bodies or a plug of earwax
- Injury to the eardrum (for example, due to foreign impact, blow to the ear, bang or due to inflammation, acoustic trauma (bang trauma)).
- Otitis media (caused by bacterial or viral infection).
- Infections of the external auditory canal (including ulcers, eczema, and tumors).
- Inflammation of the palatine tonsils (tonsillitis).
- Tooth root inflammation or problems with the temporomandibular joints.
- Severe changes in air pressure with a concurrent cold (diving, airplane).
A common culprit of stinging earaches are self-induced injuries to the fine skin lining the external auditory canal. Unpleasant itching in the ear, for example, can “tempt” to meet the itch with spontaneously available solid objects (little finger, paper clip, pen or similar) or cotton swabs, which usually causes injury to the skin in the ear canal and can lead to infection.
Diseases with this symptom
- Bang trauma
- Inner ear infection
- Ear infection
- Mumps
- Otitis media
- Tympanic membrane injuries
- Angina tonsillaris
- Tooth root inflammation
- Ear canal inflammation
Diagnosis and course
In the case of spontaneously occurring and persistent stabbing ear pain, obvious reasons should first be clarified as the cause of the pain. In young children, it may be an occlusion of the external auditory canal by marbles, glass beads or similar objects. If stabbing ear pain occurs in an airplane during a steep descent, it will subside as soon as there is equalization of pressure between the inner ear and the external environment via the eustachian tube. If none of the obvious causes of the ear pain are identified, an ENT physician should definitely be consulted. He or she will first determine – after taking a thorough history – by visual inspection using an otoscope whether there is obstruction of the external ear canal by foreign bodies, and will examine the condition of the ear canal and eardrum. In addition, various functional tests of the external auditory canal (tubal function tests) may be performed. Depending on the findings, laboratory analyses and imaging procedures (X-rays, CT, MRI) are also available for further clarification.If a serious course of injury or infection to or in the ear is to be feared, prompt diagnosis is highly recommended to avoid permanent hearing damage or permanent vestibular deficits (balance disorders) through goal-directed treatment.
Complications
If the affected person perceives a stinging sensation in the ear, it is in most cases a middle ear infection. This clinical picture can cause various complications. If the inflammation in the inner ear remains untreated, pus forms in many cases. The pain increases and the hearing can also be affected. If the ear pain is caused by an external injury, the pain may come from a damaged eardrum. There may be severe and persistent bleeding. If the wound or infection is not kept clean and pure, there is also a risk of blood poisoning. Regular cleaning of the inner ear is therefore particularly important at this point. This is the only way to prevent or treat serious secondary diseases. In rare cases, a tumor can be the cause of pain in the ear. This presses on the auditory nerve and internal pressure develops. Such a complication can only be remedied by early treatment or removal of the tumor. In general, many different complications can occur in connection with a twinge in the ear. Therefore, if the disease progresses unexpectedly, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
When should you go to the doctor?
Stinging in the ear is a first sign of inflammation or even a foreign body. At the first signs of a middle ear infection, it is not mandatory to see a doctor. In such a case, affected persons can first fall back on their own medicine cabinet or on various home remedies. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as chamomile, can help effectively and quickly. However, if the stinging in the ear becomes a permanent pain, then the visit to the doctor is inevitable. At the very latest, if the formation of pus can be seen, then a visit to the doctor should not be put on the back burner. A family doctor or, of course, an ENT specialist can prescribe appropriate medication that will alleviate and combat the inflammation within a short time. Anyone who completely forgoes treatment and the use of appropriate medication in such a case is taking a great risk. Individual symptoms can worsen considerably. In addition, severe headaches, fever, chills or vomiting may occur. If you want to avoid these symptoms, you should see a doctor early on if you have an inflammation in your ear. If the stinging in the ear is caused by a foreign body, an ENT doctor should be consulted immediately. A doctor will remove the foreign body from the ear canal without damaging the pinna. Therefore, self-attempts at this point should be absolutely refrained from.
Treatment and therapy
There are a number of home remedies that are recommended to curb earache. These include a wide variety of heat and cold applications, as well as onion juice compresses that should be applied immediately behind the ear. Since earache often occurs together with other infectious diseases, there exists a long list of natural remedies in the form of teas and tinctures, the use of which promises cure or at least relief of symptoms. If a clear diagnosis for the causes of the stabbing earache can be made during a visit to an otolaryngologist, the treatment will be based on it. In case of inflammatory processes caused by bacterial infection, specially effective antibiotics are available. If allergic processes play a role, antihistamines, which inhibit excessive histamine release, can bring relief from symptoms. If otitis media is present, it is imperative that it be treated, otherwise an uncontrolled rupture of the eardrum may occur, resulting in permanent hearing damage. If the middle ear infection has resulted in a large accumulation of pus or other fluid that needs to be drained to relieve pressure, the otolaryngologist may make a small incision in the eardrum under local anesthesia to allow the fluid to drain into the external auditory canal to relieve pressure in the middle ear. With proper treatment, the eardrum heals almost without scarring, so that hearing is not permanently impaired.
Outlook and prognosis
Stinging in the ear usually indicates a middle ear infection. In addition, the stinging may also be caused by a foreign body in the ear, which should definitely be removed. One thing is certain: a stinging in the ear should never be taken lightly, as permanent consequential damage can occur if it is not treated. A middle ear infection is initially noticeable by a stinging sensation, which in later stages can become a very severe pain. Under certain circumstances, there may be pus formation or discharge from the ear. At this point at the latest, a doctor should be consulted so that the inflammation can be fought with appropriate medication. After that, the middle ear infection should subside after three to four days. If the stinging in the ear is caused by external force, a doctor should also be consulted. In such a case, bleeding from the ear may occur. An injured eardrum or other injuries inside the ear can be the cause. If not treated, there is a risk of serious consequential damage, such as loss of hearing. For this reason, going to the doctor is essential in such a case.
Prevention
One of the most important measures to prevent earache is to refrain from attempting to clear the external auditory canal of earwax by means of (in)suitable objects. The external auditory canals are ingeniously covered with small ciliated hairs, which gradually transport earwax and also penetrated dirt and dust particles to the outside on their own! Mechanical cleaning of the external auditory canal is not necessary and usually counterproductive. Another preventive measure is to wear clothing appropriate to the weather and follow general recommendations for strengthening the body’s immune system and protect the ears from excessive traction and frostbite with suitable earmuffs.
What you can do yourself
Stinging ear discomfort is one of the most common complaints in childhood. But adults can also suffer from it. Should this symptom not occur chronically, numerous home remedies can relieve the discomfort. In case of severe pain and accompanying symptoms such as fever, a doctor should be consulted. Cold or heat applications can alleviate the discomfort. Here, it should be tried out which temperature is perceived as more pleasant. Small cooling and heating pads are available from pharmacies with a suitable protective cover. Compresses should never be placed directly on the sensitive skin of the ear. Also known are the so-called onion bags. For this, a linen bag is filled with finely chopped onions and placed on the aching ear. It is also possible that a foreign body is causing the stabbing pain. In this case, self-treatment is not recommended, as this object could otherwise be transported even deeper into the ear. Carefulness is also necessary when cleaning the ear of earwax. Often, pain in the ear is caused by penetrating too deeply during cleaning. If there are stinging pains in the ear, they should be protected from drafts and excessive cold by means of earmuffs or a headband when outdoors. In the case of an existing middle ear infection or apparent violence, a visit to the ENT physician is also strongly advised to prevent subsequent damage.
