Head cold and earache: when ears hurt with cold symptoms
Common cold symptoms and earache
Why do my ears hurt when I have a cold?
Can a cold cause an earache? Yes, an earache due to cold treatment is common. When you catch a cold, an earache might occur due to several reasons.
Congestion
The eustachian tube, connecting your middle ear to your upper throat and the back of your nose, usually prevents excess air pressure and fluid from building up in your ear. However, during a cold, mucus and fluid from your nose can accumulate in your eustachian tube, leading to a blockage. This blockage can cause ear pain and a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ear. As your cold subsides, this congestion typically improves, but in some cases, it can result in secondary infections.
Middle ear infection
A common complication of a cold is a middle ear infection, known as infectious otitis media. This occurs when viruses from your nose and throat travel through the eustachian tube into your middle ear, causing fluid buildup. Bacteria can thrive in this fluid, leading to an infection. Symptoms of a middle ear infection include ear pain, swelling, redness, hearing difficulties, green or yellow nasal discharge, and fever.
Sinus infection
An unresolved cold can also lead to a sinus infection, or infectious sinusitis, causing inflammation in your sinuses (areas in your nose and forehead). Sinusitis can create pressure in your ear, resulting in ear pain. Additional symptoms of sinusitis include yellow or green postnasal drainage, congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, facial pain or pressure, headache, toothache, cough, bad breath, poor sense of smell, fatigue, and fever.
Addressing an earache caused by a cold involves managing the underlying cold and alleviating symptoms. Over-the-counter medications, decongestants, and warm compresses can provide relief. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is essential to seek medical advice to prevent complications such as secondary infections.
Symptoms of cold and pain in ears
Experiencing ear pain with a cold can be distressing, and it's essential to differentiate between an earache caused by a cold and an ear infection. Cold and pain in the ear can sometimes overlap with symptoms of an ear infection, known medically as acute otitis media (AOM). Here are key indicators that your ear pain might be due to an infection rather than just a cold:
Identifying an Ear Infection
- Persistent Pain: Unlike ear pain from a cold, which subsides with other cold symptoms, the pain from an ear infection tends to linger.
- Hearing Loss: You might experience dulled hearing. According to experts, “The hearing loss with an ear infection is typically mild — it’s the equivalent of putting a good earplug in your ear.”
- Fever: Developing a fever is a common sign of an ear infection.
- Intense Pain: The pain from an ear infection is usually more severe than that from a cold. Many ear infections are bacterial and can be treated with antibiotics.
Additional Symptoms of Ear Infections
If you have an ear infection, you might also:
- Have difficulty sleeping
- Feel dizzy
- Head cold and tinnitus
Diagnosing ear pain with cold
Is it common to have ear pain during a cold? It looks like it's a very common issue. To determine if you have an ear infection, a doctor will examine your ear with an otoscope. They will look for signs of infection, such as:
- Bulging Eardrum: This occurs due to fluid and pus buildup behind the eardrum, known as "effusion."
- Eardrum Flexibility: Using a pneumatic otoscope, the doctor checks if the eardrum is less flexible than usual.
- Cloudy Eardrum: Normally, the eardrum is clear like a shower curtain, but infection can cause cloudiness.
Although you might experience some hearing loss, hearing tests are generally not useful for diagnosing ear infections. In summary, if your ears hurt with a cold and the pain is persistent, intense, and accompanied by dulled hearing or fever, you likely have an ear infection. Seeking medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment is crucial to prevent complications.
Ear infection symptoms, cold and sore ears
Experiencing a painful ear with a cold is not uncommon and can be quite discomforting. Ear infections, known medically as acute otitis media (AOM), are typically caused by inflammation that results from an illness or allergies. When the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, become inflamed, fluid can become trapped behind the eardrum, leading to pressure and an earache.
Other Symptoms of Ear Infections
In addition to painful ears with a cold, other symptoms of an ear infection include:
- Persistent Pain: Pain that does not subside even after your cold symptoms clear.
- Drainage: Fluid or pus draining from the ear.
- Muffled Hearing: Reduced hearing ability due to fluid buildup.
- Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or unsteady.
- Fever: Elevated body temperature indicating infection.
Often, bacteria can grow in the fluid trapped behind the eardrum, leading to more severe infection. In such cases, it is crucial to consult a doctor, who may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Understanding these symptoms can help you distinguish between a common cold with ear pain and a more serious ear infection. Always seek medical advice if you experience persistent ear pain with a cold to ensure appropriate treatment and prevent complications.
Sign up for a free consultation with a licensed hearing care professional today! It's time to finally check your hearing health!
Remedies for earache due to cold
Over-the-Counter pain relievers
Decongestants
Ear drops
Antibiotics
Earache due to cold: home remedies
Hot or cold compress
Sleep position
Nasal rinse
Hydration
Rest
Precautions for treating ears hurting from cold
When experiencing ear pain from a common cold, managing symptoms with medications can be helpful, but it might not completely alleviate the earache.
Be cautious when combining cold medicines with OTC pain relievers. Many cold medications contain ingredients like acetaminophen, which is also found in Tylenol. Taking both Nyquil and Tylenol, for instance, can lead to an unsafe amount of acetaminophen, posing a risk to your liver.
Similarly, prescription drugs may interact with OTC medicines. If you're on any prescription medication, consult your doctor before using OTC cold medicines or pain relievers.
It's essential to keep in mind the following:
Cold medications for young children
Aspirin
Oils
Cotton swabs
Ear pain after cold treatment
Diagnosing ear pain
To determine the cause of your earache, your doctor will take several steps:
- Medical History: Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and any history of ear pain.
- Physical Examination: Using an otoscope, your doctor will inspect your ear for swelling, redness, and pus, and will also examine your nose and throat.
- If you have chronic ear pain, you may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
Managing ear pain after a cold
It’s common to experience ear pain during or after a cold, and most cases are not serious, typically resolving on their own. To alleviate the discomfort, you can:
- Rest: Give your body time to heal.
- OTC Pain Relievers: Use over-the-counter pain medications as needed.
- Home Remedies: Apply ice packs to ease the pain.
- Avoid taking common cold medications and pain relievers simultaneously, as they can interact and cause adverse effects.
Conditions associated with head cold and earache
Here you can find additional suggestions and information about symptoms and conditions associated with head cold and earache, like cough and ear pain.
Earache after flying with a cold
Experiencing ear pain after flying with ear infections or a cold is a common issue caused by a condition known as ear barotrauma. This occurs when the air pressure in the middle ear and the surrounding environment are not balanced, a problem exacerbated by congestion from a cold. The Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, help regulate air pressure. However, when these tubes are blocked due to a cold, they cannot equalize the pressure effectively during the rapid altitude changes of a flight, leading to pain and discomfort. Symptoms of aeroplane ear include a feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear, muffled hearing, severe ear pain, and sometimes dizziness. In more severe cases, it can lead to a ruptured eardrum, which may present as fluid discharge from the ear. To mitigate these issues, it is advisable to avoid flying when you have a cold if possible. If you must fly, using a decongestant or nasal spray before the flight can help reduce congestion. Additionally, techniques such as yawning, swallowing, or using the Valsalva manoeuvre (gently blowing with the nose pinched and mouth closed) can help equalize ear pressure during takeoff and landing. If the pain persists after the flight, it is important to consult a healthcare provider, especially if you experience severe symptoms like hearing loss, continuous ear pain, or fluid discharge
Ears that hurts with the cold
Experiencing ear pain in cold conditions is a common issue. One of the primary reasons your ears might hurt after running in the cold is due to the constriction of blood vessels in response to low temperatures. This constriction reduces blood flow to the eardrums and Eustachian tubes, leading to discomfort and sensitivity. Similarly, after a cold shower or drinking a cold beverage, the sudden temperature change can affect the nerves around your ear, causing pain. Cold weather can exacerbate ear pain while swallowing, as the cold air can inflame the Eustachian tubes, which connect the ears to the throat. This inflammation can make swallowing painful, especially if only one ear is affected by the cold. Even walking in cold weather can cause similar issues; the cold air can irritate the inner and outer ear, leading to discomfort and pain after exposure. If you find that your ears hurt consistently after exposure to cold, consider wearing protective headgear like earmuffs or a headband to keep your ears warm and prevent vasoconstriction. For those who experience ear pain after drinking cold beverages or taking cold showers, warming up slowly and avoiding abrupt temperature changes can help alleviate symptoms. If ear pain persists, consult a healthcare provider to rule out infections or other underlying conditions.
Ear pain with cold in adults vs toddlers and kids
Ear pain due to cold affects both adults and children, but the causes and severity can differ significantly between these age groups. In children and toddlers, ear infections are more common because their Eustachian tubes are smaller, more horizontal, and more prone to blockage from swelling or mucus caused by a cold. These tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, help regulate air pressure and drain fluid. When these tubes are blocked, fluid builds up in the middle ear, creating a perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to grow, leading to an infection known as otitis media. Symptoms in children often include ear pain, fever, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and fluid drainage from the ear. Children are also more likely to pull at their ears as a sign of discomfort. Glue ear in children is often treated with ear grommets. In adults, ear pain during a cold is typically less frequent and less severe, mainly because their Eustachian tubes are larger and more vertical, allowing better drainage and less likelihood of blockage. Adults usually experience ear pain as a result of sinus congestion or inflammation from the cold, which can lead to a feeling of fullness, pressure, and sometimes mild hearing loss. While adults can also develop ear infections, it is less common compared to children. The treatment often involves decongestants, nasal sprays, or over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate symptoms. Both adults and children should seek medical attention if ear pain persists or is severe, as untreated ear infections can lead to complications such as hearing loss or the spread of infection to nearby tissues
FAQs about ear pain with cold in adults and kids
How to unblock ears from a cold?
To unblock ears from a cold, you can try several methods to alleviate the discomfort and clear the blockage:
- Swallowing, Yawning, or Chewing Gum: These actions help open the Eustachian tubes, which can equalize pressure in the ears and relieve the feeling of fullness.
- Valsalva Maneuver: Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, and gently blow through your nose while keeping your mouth closed. This can help pop your ears by forcing air through the Eustachian tubes.
- Nasal Decongestants: Using an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray or oral decongestants can reduce nasal congestion and help unblock your ears. However, these should not be used for more than a few days to avoid rebound congestion.
- Warm Compress or Steam: Applying a warm compress to the affected ear or inhaling steam from a hot shower can help loosen mucus and relieve ear congestion.
- Hydration and Humidification: Staying well-hydrated and using a humidifier to keep the air moist can help thin mucus, making it easier for your body to clear the blockage.
If these methods do not relieve your symptoms, or if you experience severe pain, hearing loss, or symptoms lasting more than a couple of weeks, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment
How long does earache last?
The duration of an earache depends on its underlying cause. For most ear infections, symptoms generally improve within three days, although they can last up to a week. If an earache is due to a common cold or sinus congestion, the discomfort typically resolves as the cold subsides, usually within a few days.
In cases of chronic ear conditions or more severe infections, symptoms may persist longer and require medical treatment. If an earache does not start to get better after three days, or if it is accompanied by a high fever, severe pain, or fluid discharge, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment.
How do you stop a cold ear from hurting?
To alleviate ear pain caused by the cold, you can try several home remedies:
- Warm Compress: Apply a warm compress or heating pad to the affected ear to reduce pain and increase blood flow.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Use medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Stay Warm: Keep your ears warm with a hat or earmuffs when outside.
- Hydration and Rest: Ensure you stay hydrated and get plenty of rest to support your immune system.
- If the pain persists or worsens, consult a healthcare provider
With you on your journey to better hearing.
It's time to finally treat your hearing loss. Sign up for a free consultation with a licensed hearing care professional today to determine if you have hearing loss. It’s the start of your journey towards better hearing.
EarPros benefits:
- Free no obligation hearing test
- best partner with more than 1,000 clinics globally
