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Earache is common in children, as the anatomy of their Eustachian tube predisposes them to more infections. Incidence also peaks in summer, when allergies and swimming play a role. Smoking predisposes to ear infection, affecting children as passive smokers.
Causes
These can be divided in primary and referred earache. Primary earache may be caused by conditions affecting the:
• Outer ear canal – trauma, foreign bodies, infection, (otitis externa), impacted wax, malignancies, allergies;
• Middle ear (otitis media) acute or chronic infection, ruptured eardrum, Eustachian tube dysfunction
Referred earache is associated with:
• Tooth infection
• Problems in the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint)
• Parotid (salivary) gland disorders
• Tonsillitis, pharyngitis and sinusitis
• Cancer of the tongue, pharynx or oesophagus
• Lesions of the C2 and C3 neck vertebrae.
Reviewed by Dr Gary Kroukamp MBCHB, FCORL (SA). Ear Nose and Throat Specialist in private practice, Cape Town. February 2015.
