Otalgia means ear pain which is a common presentation in the primary care setting with many diverse causes. Pain that originates from the ear is called primary otalgia, and the most common causes are otitis media and otitis externa.

Pain in the ear is most annoying and it can happen to anyone. The pain can be acute or chronic. It can be locally in the ear or referred  from other areas.

CAUSES OF OTALGIA

• Trauma.
• Improper cleaning of wax from the ear.
• Bacterial infection of the mastoid bone (mastoiditis)
• Tumor.
• Jaw pain.
• Changes in pressure, such as from flying or scuba diving.

Referred pains could be because of carnial nerves which supply various tissues and organs like- dental caries.

SYMPTOMS OF OTALGIA

• Ear pain, especially when lying down
• Tugging or pulling at an ear
• Trouble sleeping
• Crying more than usual
• Fussiness
• Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
• Loss of balance
• Fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Adults

Common signs and symptoms in adults include:

• Ear pain
• Drainage of fluid from the ear
• Trouble hearing

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR OTALGIA

BELLADONNA : Very useful medicine for ear pain which is throbbing and tearing pain.Given when ear pain arising from acute inflammation of the middle ear (Otitis Media).Recommended when patient experiences a pain that appears very deep-rooted. Also high fever may accompany earache.Very useful for Throat infection with pain in throat radiating to the ear

CHAMOMILLA : Very useful for relieving severe ear pain when the earache is very acute.Given when patient seems to be oversensitive to pain. There is earache with extreme mental agitation.Given when pain may be worse in cold air or at night time.Also given to those children who turn irritable due to earache and who get relief if they are carried.

VERBASCUM THAPUS : Very useful medicine for ear pain of nerve origin.Useful for earache that is part of the facial pain of nerve origin (Trigeminal Neuralgia).Mostly recommended when pain is more pronounced on the left side and gets worse with the slightest of movement with persistant dryness in ear.Verbascum Thapsus is popularly known as Mullein Oil and can also be administered as ear drops on the affected side of the ear along with internal usage.

PULSATILLA : Very useful medicine for ear pain accompanied by a thick discharge from the ear. The patient may experience hardness of hearing with ear pain. The ear feels heavy and stuffed up. Most of the times, the discharge is green in colour and is of a non-irritating nature. Open air may provide relief from earache.

OR AS DIRECTED BY PHYSICIAN