symptoms

Stinging in the ear - causes, symptoms and therapy

Stinging in the ear - causes, symptoms and therapy / symptoms

Triggers and treatment of ear piercing

Stinging in the ear is mainly associated with colds and middle ear infections. In fact, there are still several other ENT diseases that can trigger the stinging. Special caution is also required if accompanied by ear piercing certain concomitant symptoms, because in some cases, this heroin announces a beginning hearing loss.


contents

  • Triggers and treatment of ear piercing
  • definition
  • Structure of the hearing
  • Colds as the main cause of ear piercing
  • ENT diseases and stinging ears
  • Particularly severe pain in ear infections
  • Ear piercing due to injuries and increased pressure
  • Other causes of piercing ears
  • Accompanying symptoms give first indications
  • diagnosis
  • Therapy for piercing ears
  • Medication
  • Home remedy for stinging in the ear
  • Medicinal herbal help
  • Hygienic measures
  • Operational measures

definition

Ear piercing is one of the so-called otalgia. The term describes various forms of earache, where the formation of pain is basically responsible for signaling stimuli of the following nerves:

  • Tongue and throat nerve (Glossopharyngeal nerve) - this nerve is also called IX. Cranial nerve known and usually responsible for the sensation in the middle ear
  • Tympanic nerve (Nervus tympanicus) - a branch of the IX. Cranial nerves, usually responsible for the sensation of taste
  • vagus nerve (Nervus vagus) - the X. cranial nerve is responsible not only for taste perception but also for sensation of touch and motor processes in the ear and throat area
A sharp pain can occur, for example, in the area of ​​the earlobe. (Image: BRN-Pixel / fotolia.com)

Structure of the hearing

In order to understand how ear piercing is created in detail, you first have to take a closer look at the structure of the ear. Basically, the ear can be divided into five important main components. The outer ear (Auris externa) forms the visible part of the ear, consisting of

- earlobe,
- auricle
- and external auditory canal.

Stinging in the ear occurs here mainly in the form of piercing earlobes. Responsible for this is in this area of ​​the ear usually an insufficient circulation, such as by cold or vascular disease. If the circulatory disorder is particularly extensive, it can continue from the earlobe even into the external auditory canal.

The outer auditory canal is closed eardrum (Membrana tympani) on. It separates the outer ear from the inner ear canal and can also cause piercing ears. This is mainly due to injury or inflammation of the thin membrane. And also obstruction of the ear canal, as they are mainly caused by dammed ear wax, may possibly provide for eardrum piercings.

The eardrum did not receive its name in vain. For all sounds that enter the external auditory canal from the outside, are drumming through the membrane tympani middle ear (Auris media) forwarded. In it is the tympanic cavity, its ossicles, consisting of

- hammer,
- anvil
- and stirrups,

to process the noise vibrations. This sound transmission can become painfully dangerous, for example, a middle ear infection. It is one of the most common ear diseases that comes with ear piercing.

Downwards the middle ear goes into the Eustachian tube (also Eustachian tube, Latin Tuba auditiva Eustachii) about. The fine auditory canal serves for the ventilation of the tympanic cavity, which prevents the formation of infection in the ear. On the other hand, the Eustachian tube, also known as the "Eustachian tube", enables pressure equalization in the ears through bodily functions such as yawning, chewing and swallowing and thus relieves the pressure on the eardrum.

Unfortunately, the ear with the Eustachian tube is not only given opportunities for air exchange and pressure equalization. Since the ventilation duct is a direct connection between the ear and the throat, pathogens from the ENT area can easily migrate into the middle ear. Ear diseases that lead to stinging pain, are favored in this way. In addition, the nerves along the ear canal often transmit pain stimuli from the throat area, which are then mistakenly perceived as ear piercing.

The Eustachian tube connects the tympanic cavity with the nasopharynx. (Photo: elviragerecht / fotolia.com)

Occasionally, this is located behind the tympanic cavity Innnenohr (Auris interna) as a source of pain. It houses not only the organ of balance but also the cochlea, which is essential for the transmission of sound to the brain. Here, the stinging often occurs together with balance disorders and headaches, such as in the context of an inner ear infection.

Colds as the main cause of ear piercing

Stinging earache is particularly common in autumn and winter. The wet and cold weather significantly more often causes painful circulatory disturbances on the outer ear. In addition, the cold impact strains the immune system, which increases the risk of diseases such as runny nose (rhinitis), influenza (influenza) and cold (also: influenza). These effects are known to affect all areas of the upper respiratory tract. Because of their proximity to the Eustachian tube, cold sores often radiate into the ear, where they make themselves felt as a supposed piercing.

If a cold or flu is not cured properly in the further course of the disease, there is also the risk that the responsible infectious agents will ascend into the Eustachian tube. As a result, swelling and inflammation in the ventilation channel initially occur. The air exchange, as well as the pressure equalization in the ear, thereby enormously difficult.

In addition to increased pressure conditions in the area of ​​the eardrum, such an aeration disturbance promotes the development of a tympanic effusion. Behind it hides a collection of secretions in the middle ear, which can quickly develop into a source of infection. If it results in a subsequent infection, ear piercing is very likely. Common concomitant symptoms are coughing, hoarseness and runny nose according to the previous cold. Depending on the severity of the infection, fever and chills may also occur.

ENT diseases and stinging ears

Cold and flu are far from the only diseases of the ear, nose and throat that can be the cause of a stinging sensation in the ear. Basically, diseases such as pharyngitis (pharyngitis), tonsillitis (tonsillitis) and sinusitis (sinusitis) can be carried over to the ear via the Eustachian tube.

Often the biting earache occurs during the typical cold in autumn and winter. (Image: Rido / fotolia.com)

Even lower respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, have the potential to reach the ear via the throat and pharynx. It is often difficult to interpret in the early stages of the diseases mentioned, whether the disease symptoms only radiate to the ear or whether an infection has already kidnapped in the ear.

Danger: Infectious diseases always carry the risk of blood poisoning! This is all the more likely if the infectious agents have already spread! Early treatment is therefore extremely important!

Particularly severe pain in ear infections

A typical secondary infection with the spread of infectious agents in the ear is the middle ear infection (otitis media). Piercing in the ear usually occurs at regular intervals and with particular intensity in this ear disease. Other concomitant symptoms may be difficulty swallowing, fever, dizziness and nausea. It is also possible purulent discharge from the ear, if it has come in the course of the disease to a co-involvement of the eardrum and thus to an eardrum inflammation (myringitis).

If the middle ear infection remains untreated for a longer period of time, the risk of developing otitis interna or labyrinthitis threatens. This not only provides for a further strengthening of the ear piercing, but also increases the risk of permanent hearing damage to deafness of the affected ear.

Otitis media can not only be caused by ear-related ENT diseases. It is also conceivable that it was triggered by the outside of the eardrum. The most likely scenario in this context is external otitis (otitis externa), which in itself can lead to ear piercing.

The disease is caused by preference by microbial contamination of the ear, such as bacteria, mites or fungal infections. The infectious agents usually enter the ear canal via non-sterile foreign bodies such as cotton swabs or germ-laden accumulations of water.

In the latter case, staying in public baths is considered a classic infection route. The bathing water in the pool often leads to contaminated dirt particles or urine residues, which contribute to the infection. If external or middle ear infections are acquired during a bath stay, one speaks therefore also of the so-called floating otitis. Just disease-related stinging in the ears in childhood is due to colds mainly in this way.

Speaking of water: water residues can also increase the ear pressure in the short term so that it comes to temporary stinging. The symptom here, however, is rather harmless and fades away as soon as the accumulation of water has dissolved.

A visit to the swimming pool can lead to germ-laden accumulations of water in the ear canal and cause an ear infection. (Image: Sergey Novikov / fotolia.com)

Ear piercing due to injuries and increased pressure

The most dangerous are piercing earache when caused by hearing injuries. As with the inner ear infection threatens a permanent hearing loss, which should therefore be examined in conjunction with hearing problems always medically.

Injury to the ear can arise in many ways. It is conceivable, for example, damage to the noise-processing ear elements by insufficiently treated ear infections. Likewise, injuries to the eardrum, as well as advanced infections, even by extreme blast and explosion traumas or introduced into the ear foreign bodies are not excluded as a cause.

When it comes to injuries due to increased pressure conditions, the intensity of the pressure increase is very important. Piercing ears through moderate depth dives or increasing altitude pressure when flying are usually safe. The situation is different with extreme pressure changes. The abnormal pressure behind the eardrum, which arises here by lack of pressure compensation, can actually provoke painful injuries in the form of a barotrauma.

Other causes of piercing ears

In view of the causes of the disease for stabbing earache, in addition to ENT diseases, allergies and teething problems such as mumps, measles, scarlet fever or rubella must be mentioned as possible causes. Similar to influenza and others, the pathogens of these infectious diseases can be transmitted to the ears via the respiratory tract or the bloodstream and thus further aggravate the lancin pain caused by ear infections. This shows once again why the complete healing of infections is enormously important in order to avoid subsequent infections.

Furthermore, mention should be made of various dental diseases with regard to radiation pain in the ear. Although they are not part of the ENT diseases, they also occur in the catchment area of ​​the Eustachian tube and therefore like to send pain signals in the direction of the ear. In particular, damage and inflammation of the tooth root and problematic wisdom teeth are known to cause toothache in addition to toothache. This can be explained by the tooth nerves, which are in close connection with the nerves responsible for otalgias.

Malformations of the ear or the jaw, skull fractures (such as a skull base fracture) and nerve inflammation are also excluded as a cause of pain. Also conceivable are tissue changes such as pimples, eczema or boils in the ear, which are noticeable by stinging ear complaints.

Occasionally the symptoms go back to a tumor located in the ear. The accompanying symptoms usually stay within limits, which is why the stinging in the ears is initially often inexplicable.

Accompanying symptoms give first indications

As shown, the causes are very diverse. The situation is similar with the manifestations of otalgia. A combination of piercing in the ears with various accompanying symptoms often already gives a first indication of possible triggers:

Sounding ears:
The most harmless variant of the ear piercing are "sounding ears", a partly stabbing pain, which arises under the influence of cold on the outer ear or the ear lobe. Attributed this in such a case to a reduced blood flow of the ohreigene blood vessels.

Knocking to pulsating piercing:
If the stinging occurs in combination with tapping or pulsing in the ears, this is usually a sign of severely constricted blood vessels. The vessel pressure literally becomes audible in such a case. In addition to exposure to cold, this form may also be based on a disease-related blood pressure disorder.

Due to the changed pressure conditions when flying an unpleasant stinging in the ears can occur. (Image: PR Image Factory / fotolia.com)

Stinging pressure pain:
There are many causes that lead to altered ear pressure. From sudden differences in altitude, as they occur when flying with the aircraft, over clogged ears to a tympanic effusion and ventilation disorders of the Eustachian tube (for example, in inflammation-induced swelling), here are various scenarios conceivable. Such pressure pain is not always dangerous. However, they should be clarified in case of persistent complaints medical to be sure.

Ear piercing and difficulty swallowing:
Difficulty in swallowing can also result from pressure changes in the hearing of stinging ears. Otherwise, the accompanying complaint mainly occurs with colds, tonsillitis and pharyngitis. Other symptoms such as coughing or a rough neck are also conceivable in the course of the mentioned underlying diseases, with swallowing generally causing a short-term intensification of the stabbing pain.

This can be explained by the proximity of the throat area to the Eustachian tube and the involvement of the swallow in the pressure equalization in the ear. In the worst case, the painful swallowing problems indicate that the ventilation duct is already affected by a disease-related infection. An inflammatory subsequent infection of the middle ear by ascending pathogens can then no longer be ruled out.

Piercing ears and airway blockades:
In addition to dysphagia, ear piercing also occurs in many ENT diseases together with a congested neck, blocked nose or blocked frontal sinus. Appropriate concomitant symptoms except for cold and flu especially in sinusitis and sinusitis. Once cured, these illnesses are usually not a cause for concern. If left untreated, however, such diseases can spread far beyond the ear into the sensitive areas of the meninges and cause meningitis there.

Ear piercing, headache and dizziness:
The inner ear represents the last stop of perceived sounds before they enter the brain. In addition, the inner ear also accommodates the sense of balance. Therefore, if this part of the hearing is involved in the development of ear piercing, the symptom usually appears together with accompanying comorbidities such as dizziness, balance problems or headaches. In addition, skull fractures and meningitis due to perceptual disorders and headaches are noticeable. In case of doubt, a doctor should urgently be consulted with this symptom combination.

Stabbing in the ears in combination with hearing problems:
In the course of a cold, in addition to the stinging sensation, there may also be hearing problems such as tinnitus. The cause may be both eardrum injuries due to explosion and blast traumas, as well as extreme damage to other noise-processing ear elements, such as through inner ear or middle ear infections. In any case, a combined incidence of ear piercing and hearing problems should be examined by a physician.

Stinging earache combined with discharge:
Definitely one of the dangerous symptoms is ear piercing when it occurs together with bloody or purulent discharge from the ears. Here too, ear injuries and advanced ear infections are the main causes. A quick treatment is urgently required for piercing ears in combination with fluid in the ear to avert permanent hearing damage.

diagnosis

The medical diagnosis is usually done in the context of a medical history. The questioning of the patient about existing concomitant symptoms and / or pre-existing illnesses usually allows a purposeful suspicion on the part of the physician.

This is followed by a physical examination. In addition to throat, pharynx and nasal reflexes as well as blood tests, especially ear examinations are used here. These can consist of a comprehensive audiometry, for example. Behind it is a series of standard listening tests that check the hearing function based on various measurements. A common example is the Weber test, in which the hearing sensation is assessed with the help of a tuning fork.

Also common are otoscopes. Here, the ear is illuminated with the light source of an otoscope to discover existing hearing damage in the external auditory canal and the eardrum can. In the case of specific suspicion, imaging techniques such as MRI, magnetic resonance tomography or ultrasound may also be used to assess the inner ear. This is especially true if behind the lumbar pain, a skull fracture or an ear or Kieferfehlbildung is suspected. A blood test, for example for the diagnosis of infections, is conceivable.

Using the otoscope, the ear specialist examines the external auditory canal and the eardrum. (Image: Henrik Dolle / fotolia.com)

Therapy for piercing ears

Taking medications is not always necessary. However, there is no joking about the underlying infections, which is why a suitable preparation should be used too early rather than too late. In addition, numerous medicinal herbs provide good support during the treatment, which have a pain-relieving effect and reliably contain infectious agents thanks to their disinfecting effect. Below is an overview of possible treatment measures.

Medication

If infections are responsible for ear piercing, the use of antibiotic ear drops or tablets is unavoidable. Too great is the risk that infectious agents otherwise rise through the Eustachian tube in the ear. Common medicines include amoxycillin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and penicillin.

However, there are now also herbal antibiotics such as Otovowen, which offer a good alternative in view of the increasing number of multidrug-resistant germs. Especially for children, such medicines are also gentler than aggressive antibiotics.

If the puncture is accompanied by pus in the ear or mucous congestion of the respiratory tract, depending on the underlying disease, secretory preparations such as acetylcysteine, ambroxol, bromelain or papain are also available. They can relieve the pressure on the internal ear canal, which not only reduces pain but also prevents pressure-related ear damage. In addition, pain medications and pain medications such as ibuprofen can be taken. Here, however, a consultation with the ENT specialist should take place beforehand in order to correctly dose the medication.

Home remedy for stinging in the ear

For sharp pains in the ear by staying in an airplane, mountaineering or diving helps the so-called Valsalva method. For this purpose, the nose is closed with the mouth closed and at the same time breathed firmly against it. In addition, the complaints during a shift in height can be avoided by regular swallowing.

When it comes to ear piercing through ear infections and other ENT diseases, a targeted heat treatment is always of great use. Heat pads or a (not too hot) hot water bottle, for example, can alleviate the pain symptoms in the ears. Steam baths, in turn, clear the respiratory tract and aid in the discharge of infection secrets. Other proven home remedies for earache are the red light therapy, warm potato wraps that are placed on the ear or the well-tried hot tea.

Irradiation with red light can be very beneficial for aching ears. (Image: chairman / fotolia.com)

Tip: A study from Finland was able to prove in 1996 that the sugar derivative xylitol is effective against middle ear inflammation. Xylitol apparently has components that successfully kill infectious bacteria responsible for otitis media. It is ideal to chew chewing gum mixed with the derivative. On the one hand, xylitol reaches the middle ear faster over the throat. On the other hand, in combination with the chewing motion of the jaw, it also helps to strengthen the Eustachian tube and thus improve the ventilation of the middle ear.

Medicinal herbal help

Warming teas are well suited for piercing in the ear to treat the underlying disease therapeutically. Recommended are herbs like

- chamomile,
- garlic,
- mullein,
- lavender,
- balm,
- parsley,
- peppermint,
- sage,
- thyme
- and onion.

Some of these herbs can also be used as a spice for warm broths and other fortifying dishes. A peeled garlic clove wrapped in cotton wool, can also be placed directly into the ear, where the antibacterial ingredients of garlic quickly move into the infection.

Also recommended are herbal supplements for steam or therapeutic baths. When bathing, please take care that no water gets into the ears to avoid an aggravation of infections caused by water residues.

Hygienic measures

An important step in the healing of ear infections as well as in relieving associated lancing pain is the proper cleaning of the ear canal. Clogged ears can be dissolved by ear irrigation. In addition, the disinfection of the ears with clear alcohol is particularly effective against illness and pain symptoms. For this purpose, alcohol-impregnated linen strips are inserted into the ear, which are then changed at regular intervals until the inflammation has healed.

Important: It is advisable to use the linen strips for ear disinfection by an experienced specialist. Incorrect use of tweezers or too low insertion of the strips could otherwise lead to ear canal injuries, which further increase the painful symptoms and the risk of inflammation. The situation is similar when it comes to ear irrigation, which should also be better performed professionally by an ENT specialist.

Operational measures

Skewed ears require occasional surgery to remove the blockages. Very often, this measure is used in children. Ear-clogged ears may also require surgical intervention if flushing does not help.

Ear injuries as the cause of piercing earache usually have to be treated surgically. For example, eardrum tears can only be repaired by artificial sealing. Occasionally, the eardrum must also be artificially opened, for example, to divert secretions collections.

If the damage to the hearing is particularly extensive, it may be necessary to consider a complete replacement of affected hearing parts. Normally, the operation is limited to minimally invasive procedures. (Ma)