Earache pain is often caused by a buildup of fluid behind the eardrum or by an ear infection. Colds, allergies, arthritis and other infections can all cause sharp, dull or burning pain that may persist or come and go. You should see a doctor if your pain worsens or does not go away after several days. In the meantime, there are medications and home remedies that can help relieve your pain.

Medications

Try over-the-counter pain relievers to help ease pain and discomfort. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin can all help relieve earache pain. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16 due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, which is a potentially fatal disease that is associated with aspirin consumption by children with a viral illeness. If your pain is severe enough to keep you from sleeping, try a nighttime formula pain reliever, such as Tylenol PM, to help you rest. Adequate rest will help your body fight off infections faster. Over-the-counter pain relieving eardrops can also help ease your pain. Do not use eardrops if your eardrum has ruptured. Check with your doctor before use if you suspect you have a ruptured eardrum. Most ear infections do not require prescription drugs as they heal on their own in a few days. If your child is younger than 6 months old or if you have had two or more ear infections in the past month, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic such as amoxicillin. Many ear infections are caused by viruses, which antibiotics will not help. Always take over-the-counter and prescription medications exactly as directed.

Home Treatment

Try sitting upright or sleeping in a reclined position to relieve pressure in the middle ear and help reduce your pain. Chew gum to ease pressure, especially from earaches caused by changes in altitude, such as while flying. Do not give gum to young children who may swallow it. Apply an ice pack or a cold, wet cloth to the outside of your ear to help numb the area and reduce pain. Do not leave an ice pack on your ear for more than 20 minutes at a time. Try putting a fews drops of olive oil into your painful ear with a sterile ear dropper to help relieve pain and pressure if you do not have eardrops available.

Drainage Tubes

If earache pain persists after home treatment and medications, your doctor may suggest drainage tubes. The procedure is most common in younger children. The doctor puts the patient under general anesthesia and inserts a small drainage tube through the eardrum to help drain fluid from the middle and outer ear. Once the fluid is drained, pain should subside. The tubes usually come out on their own, but you may need to protect your child's ears from water getting into the drainage holes for about a year until they heal.

Source:

Mayo Clinic

University of Maryland Medical Center

Medline Plus