Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The skinny: Grab an ice or heat pack and put it on the affected ear to help with the pain.
The skinny: Pain relievers work as advertised, helping take the edge off the pain. These medications reduce pain and fever, making you feel more comfortable. The skinny: How you sleep can affect ear pain. Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so the affected ear is higher than the rest of your body.
Or if the left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. But if it makes you feel better, go for it. Symptoms of swimmer's ear and a middle ear infection may appear the same to those unfamiliar with the differences. Here are four guidelines to help you understand the symptoms and determine why type of infection your child may have.
With swimmer's ear the pain is located in the outer ear canal, or the area near the ear opening, and increases when you pull on the earlobe. In a middle ear infection, pain is located in the inner ear, near the ear drum and will often increase with lying down, which can also cause trouble sleeping. If your child is experiencing ear pain, these signals are especially helpful: With swimmer's ear, the outer ear may appear red and swollen and have a rash-like appearance.
You may see your child frequently scratch at his ear or complain of an itchy ear. Also watch for a foul-smelling drainage coming from the ear s bothering them. Symptoms to watch for with a middle ear infection include fever, pulling or tugging on the ear, decreased appetite, diarrhea or vomiting.
Temporary hearing loss is a telltale sign for both a middle ear infection and swimmer's ear, but it may be one of the first signs you notice. Did the ear pain start after a recent swim in a lake, pool or hot tub?
Despite its name, you don't have to swim to pick up swimmer's ear. Simply cleaning your ears with a cotton swab or taking a shower or bath can also cause this condition.
With a middle ear infection, your child may exhibit signs of an upper respiratory infection, such as congestion, runny nose and watery eyes, in the days before the inner ear pain began.
Here is the infographic comparing swimmer's ear vs ear infection in an alternative format. Since swimmer's ear is caused by germs that need water to survive, the best thing you can do to prevent an infection is to keep your ears dry. Sleep Position If your ear inflammation is bad enough to affect your sleep schedule, you may find relief from switching your sleep position. Sleeping on the side opposite of the affected ear will help you sleep more soundly and release some of the pressure in your ear in the morning.
You can also reduce pressure by sleeping propped up on two or more pillows. Being hydrated will also help the mucus that is clogging up your systems loosen up and pass through. You may find it helpful to buy a large water bottle to keep with you at all times. Eardrops Many people find that eardrops provide relief when it comes to an inflamed earache or ear infection. Eardrops can be prescribed or bought off the shelf at the grocery store.
Olive oil is a popular home substitute for ear drops, but there is not enough scientific evidence to officially list this topic, so please proceed with caution. Keep in mind that you should not use ear drops on a child with tubes in their ears or whose eardrum has ruptured. Massage Ear pain can radiate through the jaw, teeth, and neck.
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