Earache: What is good for your ears and when to see a doctor

Earache can be surprisingly intense: a stabbing, throbbing or pressure sensation that pulls from swallowing through chewing right into the night. Sometimes an infection is behind it, sometimes just a stubborn earwax plug or pressure during a cold. This guide sorts out what can be behind earache, when a doctor's visit is especially important and which everyday steps and nutritional building blocks provide a sensible framework. One thing first: the ear is sensitive, and especially in children earache often belongs in a doctor's hands quickly.

What is behind earache

The ear consists of the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear, and pain can arise in quite different places. Often it is the result of a respiratory infection: when the mucous membranes in the nose and throat swell, the connection between the throat and the middle ear, the Eustachian tube, can no longer ventilate properly. Negative pressure builds up, and secretion can accumulate in the middle ear.

Other common causes are irritation or inflammation of the outer ear canal, for example after bathing or from cleaning too often with cotton swabs, as well as a firmly lodged earwax plug. Pressure fluctuations while flying or diving, teeth grinding and problems in the jaw joint can also cause pain that arrives in the ear. In children, middle ear complaints are especially common because their Eustachian tube is shorter and flatter.

Typical accompanying signs are a feeling of pressure or fullness, reduced hearing, ringing in the ears or, with an infection, fever and a general feeling of illness. Because the causes are so varied and the inner ear is sensitive, the exact source of the pain often cannot be reliably assessed from the outside. This makes a medical evaluation especially important for stronger or persistent complaints.

When you should seek medical evaluation

Earache should rather be evaluated by a doctor generously, since the ear is sensitive and infections of the middle ear may need targeted treatment. With persistent or severe complaints, seek medical evaluation; this does not replace medical advice.

• severe or rapidly increasing earache
• earache in infants and small children
• fever, a marked feeling of illness or pain that robs you of sleep
• discharge from the ear, whether clear, purulent or bloody
• a sudden hearing loss, dizziness or persistent ringing in the ears
• redness, swelling or pain behind the ear
• complaints after a blow, a fall or a foreign body in the ear

A general, paediatric or ENT practice can look into the ear, classify the cause and initiate suitable measures. Under no circumstances should pointed objects or cotton swabs be inserted deep into the ear.

What you can do in everyday life to support

As long as the complaints are mild or in addition to medical treatment, some measures can be perceived as soothing. They do not replace a medical evaluation when one is indicated.

• Warmth or rest: Many find a warm compress or a warm cloth on the ear pleasant. Rest and enough sleep support recovery.
• Keep the nose clear: With an infection it helps to support nasal breathing, for example with saltwater rinses, so that the Eustachian tube ventilates better.
• Equalise pressure: When flying, swallowing, yawning or chewing gum help to equalise the pressure in the middle ear.
• Protect the ear canal: Avoid cotton swabs and dry the ear carefully after bathing.
• Do not handle it yourself: Better have a firm earwax plug removed at the practice or pharmacy instead of poking at it yourself.

Especially with children the rule is: better seek medical advice once too early than too late. Warm compresses and plenty of rest can make the time until the appointment more pleasant, but do not replace the examination. Anyone who swims a lot and tends towards irritations in the ear canal can dry the ear gently after bathing and do without tight earplugs over long periods. A tried-and-tested home remedy is also the classic potato or onion compress, which some perceive as pleasantly warm and soothing; it works as a supportive measure and does not replace treatment for stronger complaints. With a cold it can help to position the upper body a little higher at night, so that the secretion in the nose and throat drains better and the pressure on the middle ear eases.

What matters is a considered approach to the sensitive ear: ear candles, aggressive cleaning attempts or dripping in arbitrary oils when the cause is unclear can do more harm than good, especially if the eardrum is not intact. If the cause has not yet been medically clarified, nothing liquid should be put into the ear on principle. With recurring earache it is worth looking for patterns together with the doctor, for example frequent infections, allergies or nightly teeth grinding, which can radiate to the ear via the jaw joint.

Nutrition and the immune defence in view

Since earache is often connected with respiratory infections, it is worth taking a look at a diet that supports a normally functioning immune system. Mediterranean fare has proven its worth.

• plenty of vegetables and fruit, especially colourful varieties with vitamin C and beta-carotene
• whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds as sources of zinc and other trace elements
• sea fish as a source of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids
• fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir or sauerkraut as part of a varied diet
• enough fluids so that mucus stays fluid
• little sugar and few heavily processed foods

This way of eating provides nutrients that play a role for the immune defence. According to the approved EU statements, vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc each contribute to the normal function of the immune system. These statements refer to normal body functions and not to the treatment of earache. A colourful, varied diet forms a good foundation here. Especially during the cold season it is worth regularly planning in colourful vegetables and fruit and drinking enough, so that mucus in the nose and throat stays fluid and the Eustachian tube ventilates better. Anyone wanting to support their immune system in the long term, alongside nutrition, also thinks of enough sleep, exercise in the fresh air and doing without cigarette smoke, which additionally irritates the mucous membranes of the airways.

Honestly classified

Earache is a symptom that should be taken seriously. Unlike some everyday complaints, the cause often cannot be reliably assessed from the outside, and the sensitive inner ear forgives self-experiments poorly. That is why the medical evaluation is in the foreground here, especially with children, severe pain, fever or discharge. Warm compresses, rest and a clear nose can do good as a support, but do not replace an examination. A balanced diet and a good nutrient supply support the immune defence in the long run, but are no substitute for targeted treatment when this is necessary. No home remedy and no food supplement fixes a middle ear infection.

Matching products from Scheunengut

Anyone wanting to complement their diet around the gut and a varied microbiome routine will find the Cultures Complex with 23 bacterial strains and 100 billion CFU per gram at Scheunengut. It provides a broad selection of bacterial cultures in high concentration and can be used as part of a conscious, fibre-rich diet. There are no approved EU health claims for bacterial cultures, so no health-related effects are promised here; the product is understood as a supplement to a varied diet. For earache itself, the medical evaluation remains the right path.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What can be behind earache?

Earache is often the result of a respiratory infection with disturbed ventilation of the middle ear. Irritation of the outer ear canal, a firm earwax plug, pressure fluctuations while flying or problems in the jaw joint also come into question. Because the causes are so varied, a medical evaluation is worthwhile with stronger complaints.

What can I do to support mild earache?

Many find a warm compress on the ear as well as rest and enough sleep soothing. With an infection it helps to keep nasal breathing clear, for example with saltwater rinses. It is important not to handle the ear with cotton swabs or pointed objects.

Is earache in children a case for the doctor?

Yes, in infants and small children earache should rather be evaluated by a doctor quickly, since middle ear complaints are common in them and may need targeted treatment. Warm compresses and rest can make the time until the appointment more pleasant, but do not replace the examination.

May I remove an earwax plug myself?

Deep poking with cotton swabs or pointed objects is inadvisable, as this often only pushes the plug deeper and can injure the sensitive ear canal. Better have a firm plug removed properly at the doctor's practice or pharmacy.

When must I see a doctor immediately with earache?

With severe or rapidly increasing pain, fever, discharge from the ear, sudden hearing loss, dizziness, a swelling behind the ear or with complaints in infants and small children you should seek medical advice promptly. This also applies after a blow or a foreign body in the ear.