Sharp Pain in Your Ear? Here's What Your Body's Trying to Tell You

When your ear hurts out of nowhere, it could be the sign of an infection or a problem with your jaw or facial nerves.
Image Credit: LaylaBird/E+/GettyImages

A little discomfort in your ear isn't usually cause for major concern. But if you're experiencing sharp or stabbing pain in your ear, you might start to worry whether it's serious.

Advertisement

Sudden or intense ear pain is often caused by an infection, but in some cases, an underlying condition with your jaw or the nerves around your face could be at play, says Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, otolaryngologist and laryngologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

Here's help for figuring out what you might be dealing with, and what you can do to feel better,

1. You Have an Ear Infection

Ear infections are one of the most common causes of sharp ear pain, and sometimes, it can be intense. "An ear infection causes severe inflammation, swelling and drainage of the ear, which can cause severe pain," Dr. Mehdizadeh says. "Anecdotally, I have had a couple of female patients tell me their middle ear infection is as painful as unmedicated childbirth."

Advertisement

Ear infections can happen when bacteria or a virus make their way into the ear. That can happen from a cold or allergies, from water that stays in the ear after swimming (see: swimmer's ear) or from putting foreign objects in the ear like a cotton swab or a dirty finger.

A mild ear infection can make your ear red, itchy and uncomfortable. But as the infection becomes more severe, the pain tends to get worse and may start to radiate to your face, neck or the side of your head. It can also cause your ear to hurt when you swallow and can lead to muffled hearing, swelling and even a fever, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Advertisement

Fix it: ‌Mild ear infections sometimes clear up on their own or can be handled with natural earache remedies. However, sharp or intense pain warrants a call to the doctor. The infection may require antibiotics or antifungal medications, the Mayo Clinic notes.

Your doctor might also recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribe numbing drops to ease the pain as the infection clears.

2. It's a Sinus Infection

Sinus infections happen when the tissue lining the sinuses — the air-filled spaces in the skull — becomes blocked and filled with fluid. That's usually the result of a cold or seasonal allergies, but it can also happen from a deviated septum.

Sinus infections typically cause pain or pressure around the nose and eyes, along with post-nasal drip, green or yellow nasal discharge and bad breath, per the Cleveland Clinic. In some cases, though, the pain can travel to your ears, Dr. Mehdizadeh says.

Advertisement

Ear pain from a sinus infection isn't usually sharp or stabbing, unless the infection is very severe. In that case, you should seek treatment ASAP, says Dr. Mehdizadeh.

Advertisement

Fix it: ‌Decongestants and nasal irrigation can help clear out the gunk and make you more comfortable when you're dealing with a mild sinus infection. Staying hydrated and applying warm compresses are additional natural remedies for sinus infections to try.

But you should let your doctor know if the pain becomes severe or if your symptoms haven't eased up after 10 days. In that case, you might need antibiotics or a prescription nasal steroid spray to help clear the infection, per the Cleveland Clinic.

3. There's a Problem With Your Jaw Muscle

Jaw discomfort or soreness accompanied by headaches, a clicking or popping sensation around the jaw, pain that spreads around the eyes or face and earaches or ear ringing may be caused by a temporomandibular disorder or TMD.

Advertisement

The problem is often caused by clenching or grinding your teeth, sometimes without even realizing it, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. TMDs generally cause an aching in the ear, Dr. Mehdizadeh says. But occasionally, the pain could feel sharp or stabbing.

Fix it: ‌See your doctor if you suspect you have TMD, especially if you have pain in both your jaw and ear. Depending on your symptoms and the severity, managing the problem might involve behavioral changes or relaxation techniques to reduce clenching or wearing a mouthguard, says Dr. Mehdizadeh.

Jaw exercises or stretches can help too. In some cases, surgery may also be required.

4. Something Is Stuck in Your Ear

Babies and kids are more prone than adults to getting foreign objects (anything from food, to beads, to small toys, to insects) stuck in their ears. But anyone can be affected.

Advertisement

"A foreign body will place pressure in the ear canal and on some occasions the ear drum, which is very sensitive," Dr. Mehdizadeh says.

And if the object causes an infection, it can make the pain worse.

An object stuck in the ear can also cause ringing or muffled hearing — and if an insect is in there, you might even notice buzzing or tickling.

Advertisement

Fix it: ‌If you can see the object clearly and it's easy to grasp, you can try removing it with clean tweezers (avoid cotton swabs, which can push the object in further or damage the eardrum).

Using a rubber-bulb syringe filled with warm water can help rinse the object out, if you know there's not a hole in the eardrum and you (or your child) don't have ear tubes.

If you're dealing with an insect, you can pour a small amount of warm (never hot) olive or baby oil into the ear, which can encourage the insect to float out, the Mayo Clinic notes.

You should contact your doctor if the object is difficult to grasp, doesn't come out on the first try or if you're having signs of an infection, per the Mayo Clinic. In that case, the object may need to be removed with suction, heavier irrigation or even surgery.

5. You Have a Nerve Problem

Stabbing or sharp pain in the ear that comes and goes could be a sign of trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve problem that causes painful sensations around the face. "It feels similar to a bolt of lightning," says Dr. Mehdizadeh, and can often be brought on by touching the face, chewing, talking or brushing your teeth.

Fix it: ‌Some people with neuralgia find relief with medications like anticonvulsants, antispasmodics or Botox injections. But the effects don't always last, and the medications can sometimes cause side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. When that happens, injections or surgery can be good options.

When to See a Doctor About Sharp Pain in Your Ear

Sudden ear pain can sometimes be serious. You should let your doctor know about ear pain that doesn't ease up after several days or that gets worse or becomes sharp or stabbing. Intense ear pain could be caused by a severe ear infection or another problem that needs treatment in order to get better.

Seek emergency care for sharp ear pain that's accompanied by bleeding ears, dizziness, hearing loss or a high fever (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in adults).

references

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top