Of course the world would have been a better place, if there was no ear pain. Unfortunately, all humans suffer sooner or later from this excruciating condition. The pain is generally caused by outer ear problems (beginning from the earlobe and ending at the eardrums), or by the inflammation of the middle ear (just behind the eardrums). The intensity of ear pain can only be compared to that of a tooth pain. But as we will see, the latter itself (general problems in the throat or mouth, tonsillitis) can trigger pain in ears. So let’s see what the main types and causes of ear ache are.
Ear Pain from ear wax
Ear wax (cerumen) is a natural substance, which is produced in the human ear canal for assisting its cleaning. It also protects against bacteria, insects and water. It is universally known ear wax should be cleaned from time to time with a cotton bud, since its excess accumulation in the auditory canal (ear canal) can press against the eardrums and thus cause pain; it can even lessen hearing capacity. But sometimes cleaning with the cotton bud pushes some wax deep inside and that causes problems, including the worst scenario that is harming the very eardrums. Therefore the cleaning operation must be done gently and with caution, a good advice can be to soften sometimes the cotton bud with olive or vegetable oil. There are special ear drops, which clean the audio canal, and are available in the pharmacy. It is good also to visit periodically your doctor, who can make your ear canal clean with a special liquid, which will flash out the ear wax easily and quickly.
Ear pain from inflammation of the middle ear
The first symptom of this condition is when the pain starts deep inside the ear. Generally speaking, inflammation of the middle ear is the most frequent cause of earache, and is mostly based on infection. It is also very common among children and can not only be caused by bacteria, but even can be the consequence of catching cold. Contact with other children sometimes also generates this problem. There is an air channel between the middle ear and the nose, which is called Eustachian tube and ensures that the middle ear receives enough air so that the fluids can come out through the nose. The infection usually spreads via this Eustachian tube to the middle ear and makes the eardrum stretch and swell. This in turn creates pressure in the middle ear and thus pain. Children have smaller Eustachian tube, and that’s the reason they can suffer more frequently from this condition than adults. Known mild pain relievers like Paracetamol (Calpol), Ibuprofen, Nurofen (for children), can be used to treat or at least to ease the pain, which can be quite acute.
Ear pain from Otitis in the outer ear (Otitis Externa)
Otitis can be described as the inflammation of the ear canal skin due to bacteria or fungi penetration, when there is some vulnerability on the skin, for example eczema. The latter is a skin condition generated by a number of factors (for example scratching), which make the skin’s protective layer compromised and thus more prone to being affected by bacteria. Swimming in dirty water or letting water in the ears during swimming (wear special earplugs) or bathing can trigger otitis. Penetration of foreign objects (dust particles or ear bud particles), skin allergy and diabetes can potentially lead to otitis. Also you should avoid letting hair spray or hair color get in some way into the ear canal.
Anyway, you should think about otitis when your ear starts to itch or when there is a discharge from the ear. Try pushing or pulling the ear lobe or move the jaw, if the pain is getting worse, then this is also another symptom of otitis. There can be some swelling in the ear canal and in some cases; you could even experience reduction of hearing capacity.
So what is the treatment of this condition? As usual, the best treatment is to avoid getting this condition, avoid letting water into ears or letting cotton particles remain in the ear canal after cleaning with cotton buds. If the infection remains, it can become chronic and that will make it more difficult to treat. This is not a very dangerous situation, however, and with due and prompt professional medical attention, the issues should not take much time to resolve. The important thing is not to irritate the ear canal at home, rather use some painkillers, until your doctor cleans your ear and prescribes antibacterial medicine or more effective ear drops.
We hope we have given enough useful information in general terms as to what ear pain is, what its causes and symptoms are and also some advice on how to proceed in some situations to avoid or to treat earache. Remember, with good care, enough attention and awareness, your ears will not impose on you long winter days of pain.
Headaches are the integral part of human life and can really destroy your day and life if not treated properly and promptly. Headaches can be of many types and while we do not often know the exact medical name of the given condition, we can easily differentiate headaches according to the proximate location of the pain on the head. One of 
