Why do I have a weird pain in my outer ear?

Sharp ear pain commonly results from an infection or a temporary change in air pressure or altitude. In other cases, it may stem from TMD or a foreign object lodged in the ear. The pain, though unpleasant, may be no cause for concern and resolve without treatment.

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What does it mean when the outer ear hurts?

Outer ear infections are usually caused by bacteria. They are sometimes caused by a fungus, such as a yeast, but that's less common. Viral illnesses like the flu or a certain type of shingles (Zoster oticus) may also lead to an outer ear infection.

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What is it called when the outside of your ear hurts?

Otitis externa is a condition that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal, which is the tube between the outer ear and eardrum. Otitis externa is often referred to as "swimmer's ear" because repeated exposure to water can make the ear canal more vulnerable to inflammation.

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Why does my ear hurt but there's nothing there?

Causes: Anything that make the Eustachian tube swollen or inflamed such as recent upper respiratory infection or common cold, allergies, sinus infection or sudden air pressure changes (happens when people fly on an airplane, scuba dive or drive in the mountains).

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Can anxiety cause outer ear pain?

Anxiety and stress can cause increased muscle tension, which can lead to headaches, including those that affect the temples or the jaw. These types of headaches can sometimes be mistaken for ear problems, such as earaches or ear pain.

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Ear Pain- Strange & Bizarre Causes

38 related questions found

What does anxiety ear pain feel like?

It feels like your ears are more sensitive to pressure changes, such as going up or down hills or other elevation-related situations. You can “pop” your ears more frequently. It feels like there is a strong pressure in one or both ears.

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What does ear anxiety feel like?

Feeling like there is a pressure in your ear that's causing the hissing sounds. In quiet environments these sounds can seem louder and the feelings more intense. You can also cause these and new sounds when you move your jaw, such as beeping, popping, bubble-popping-sound, blipping, effervescent sounds, and so on.

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Why does my outer ear hurt without infection?

Outer ear pain can most commonly be caused by environmental conditions such as water exposure or extreme cold weather that can lead to frostbite of the outer ear. Other causes for ear tragus pain include irritation from obtrusive objects like cotton swabs or fingers.

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Why do my ears hurt but I don't have an infection?

Earaches can happen without an infection. They can occur when air and fluid build up behind the eardrum. They may cause a feeling of fullness and discomfort. They may also impair hearing.

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What are the symptoms of a tumor in the ear?

Signs of an ear tumor include:
  • Dizziness or balance problems.
  • Ear bleeding or discharge.
  • Ear pain.
  • Headaches.
  • Hearing loss.
  • Nonhealing wound or sore.
  • Skin discoloration, new moles or changes to a mole.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.

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What can I take for outer ear pain?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) is often enough to reduce the pain and fever that can come with ear infections.

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How long does outer ear pain last?

Acute outer ear infections come on suddenly and usually go away within six weeks. They can come back (recur) after they've cleared up. Chronic outer ear infections cause ongoing symptoms that last for three months or more.

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Why does my ear cartilage hurt when I sleep on the same side?

Waking up with a really painful outer ear is a strange phenomenon that is actually more common than we think. It's most likely down to sleeping on the same side for too long, on a pillow that's too firm. The ear cartilage gets a constant pressure or gets folded against the pillow and this irritates the pain receptors.

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What causes a sharp pain in the earlobe?

If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. Your ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn't contagious.

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When I push on the ear flap it hurts?

If it hurts to move your pinna/auricle or push firmly on the tragus (the flap of tissue at the ear opening), then otitis externa is the most likely cause. One form of otitis externa is called swimmer's ear. Frequent water exposure from bathing or showering can be as contributory as swimming.

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How do you know if ear pain is serious?

Seek emergency care if you have any of the following symptoms:
  1. Pain in an ear with or without fever.
  2. Itching of the ear or ear canal.
  3. Loss of hearing or difficulty hearing in one or both ears.
  4. Pus or discharge from an ear, especially if it's thick, yellow, bloody, or foul-smelling.

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Should I be worried if my ears hurt?

Earache isn't usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. Your pharmacist may recommend that you contact your GP practice if required.

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Can stress cause ear pain?

As with your eyes, decreased circulation can also affect your ears, and chronic stress plays a big part in slowing blood flow. When you're stressed, the extra adrenaline can decrease or stop circulation in the inner ear, damaging or even destroying the essential tiny hair cells inside your ear.

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Is outer ear pain a symptom of Covid?

Is an ear infection a symptom of COVID-19? Ear infections and COVID-19 share few common symptoms, most notably fever and headache. Ear infections are not a commonly reported symptom of COVID-19.

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Can a tumor cause ear pain?

Tumors often start as scaly areas or white bumps on the outside of the ear. The area might ooze or drain. A tumor also might start inside the ear canal. The patient might notice drainage from the canal or pain inside the ear.

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Why do I hear a heartbeat in my ear?

Symptoms of Pulsatile Tinnitus

The most common symptom of pulsatile tinnitus is regularly hearing a steady beat or whooshing sound. The beat or sound is often in synch with the patient's heartbeat. When their heart rate increases, the beat or sound will become faster; when it decreases, the beat or sound will slow.

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Can depression cause ear pain?

There is also a link between ear problems and depression, as research has found that up to 60% of those who are living with tinnitus also have symptoms of depression.

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