If you’ve ever experienced the discomfort of an earache, you know how distressing it can be. Whether it’s a sharp pain, a dull ache, or a feeling of pressure in your ear, finding quick relief is essential. Potential causes of earaches vary, however an infection, ear wax buildup, air pressure, trauma, or an eustachian tube dysfunction are among the most common.
Not sure how to stop an earache fast? Let us share five effective tips to stop an earache fast and provide guidance on when it’s necessary to seek professional help.
1. Immediate Relief
When you need to know how to stop an earache fast, the first priority is finding immediate relief. Follow these steps to help ease the pain and discomfort:
Over-the-counter pain relievers: Non-prescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide temporary relief from earache pain. Ensure you follow the recommended dosage and consult a healthcare professional if you have any health conditions or are taking other medications.
Warm compress: Applying a warm, moist compress to the affected ear can help soothe the pain. Be sure the compress is not too hot, and avoid putting anything directly inside your ear.
2. Keep the Pain Away
Once you’ve found some initial earache relief, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent it from worsening or recurring:
Don’t put things in your ear: Refrain from using cotton swabs or other objects to clean your ears, as this can push wax deeper into the ear canal or cause injury.
Protect your ears: When swimming or bathing, use earplugs to prevent water from entering your ears, which can lead to infection and discomfort.
Stay well: One of the best ways to avoid the pain of an ear infection is to stay as healthy as possible in the first place, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): wash your hands frequently, dry ears thoroughly after swimming and stay up to date on your vaccinations.
3. When to See a Doctor
While most earaches resolve on their own or with home remedies, there are situations when seeking medical attention is essential.
When you experience severe pain or high fever, which the CDC describes as anything over 102.2F, or worsening symptoms or the earache has lasted more than 2-3 days, that could be a sign of an infection that requires medical evaluation and treatment.
If you notice any unusual discharge or bleeding from your ear, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional immediately.
4. Turn to Urgent Care
In some cases, you may not need to rush to the emergency room but should consider seeking urgent care for your earache.
Prolonged symptoms, as mentioned above, should be attended to quickly. If the earache persists for more than a couple of days or worsens despite home remedies, urgent care can provide a middle ground between the ER and waiting for a regular doctor’s appointment.
And if it’s after hours and not life-threatening, urgent care is a convenient and timely option.
With these five tips for dealing with earache relief, you can take action to ease the discomfort and find comfort during your recovery. Remember, while home remedies can be helpful, it’s crucial to seek medical attention if you experience severe pain, drainage, or bleeding. By being proactive and knowing when to seek professional help, you can effectively manage earache symptoms and promote your overall ear health.
Consider AFC
Although ear infections are not contagious, they’re unpleasant at best and excruciating at worst. If you do need to seek urgent care but you’re tired of long waits and the impersonal experience of waiting in a hospital emergency room, you’ll appreciate the warm care and convenience of American Family Care’s (AFC’s) neighborhood clinics.
Find the location nearest you so you’ll be prepared the next time you need affordable, prompt medical care services.
