Table of contents:
- Why do ears get sore when you have a cold?
- How do you deal with ear pain during the flu?
- 1. Take flu and cold relievers
- 2. Use a hot compress
- 3. Giving antibiotics from a doctor
When flu and colds hit, one of the complaints that is often experienced apart from nasal congestion is ear pain. The pain is actually not that intense, but it can be quite annoying especially when you swallow something in your throat. So, what are the ways you can do to reduce ear pain during flu and colds?
Why do ears get sore when you have a cold?
Flu and colds usually both make the ear canal clogged. That is why, you may often complain of pain and bindeng such as difficulty hearing or deafness in the ears during flu and colds.
These complaints are usually more pronounced when you swallow saliva, food, or drinks in your throat. Richard Rosenfeld, MD, MPH, as a lecturer and chair of authorinolaryngology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in New York, explains the cause of the condition.
According to him, flu and colds can cause earaches due to inflammation due to a viral infection that attacks the eardrum. The reason is, the viruses that cause flu and colds can infect all respiratory tracts of the body.
This means that starting from the nose, throat, to the eustachian tube that connects the ears and throat, will also suffer the consequences. The viruses that cause flu and colds will cause fluid buildup and in the ears.
The fluid and mucus then clogs the eustachian tubes. As a result, you will experience a sore throat when swallowing which then spreads to your ears during flu and colds.
How do you deal with ear pain during the flu?
As the flu and colds heal, the sore and numb ears will usually gradually subside. It's just that, sometimes the recovery process takes time and is erratic depending on your condition.
So, there is nothing wrong with trying to treat the flu and cold complaints yourself on this one to make you more comfortable doing activities.
Well, here are some ways you can treat sore ears during flu and colds:
1. Take flu and cold relievers
Because complaints of sore ears such as budek are due to flu and colds, one of the treatments can use drugs. You should first treat the flu and cold symptoms that you are experiencing, so that later this ear disorder can improve.
Various drug options that can be taken include Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), to help relieve earaches. In addition, drugs containing decongestants and antihistamines can also relieve complaints of ear pain during flu, colds, allergies, or sinuses.
Before drinking it, consult your doctor or pharmacy first about the type of drug and the best dosage for your condition.
2. Use a hot compress
Source: Smart Girls
In addition to taking medication, you can also unclog the fluid or mucus in the eustachian tube by using a hot compress. The trick, just prepare hot or warm water in a container, then use a towel to compress the area around the ear.
You can also direct the hot steam from the container towards the ear. Both methods will cause steam to rise and enter the ear canal, thereby loosening the blockage of fluid and mucus.
Pain in the ear when flu and colds will gradually recover soon.
3. Giving antibiotics from a doctor
Sometimes, ear pain during flu and colds can also trigger the entry of bacteria. In this case, doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat flu and cold symptoms, as well as complaints in the ears.
Because if not treated immediately, bacteria that enter the ear can cause infection. It is important to immediately find out the cause of ear pain in order to get the right treatment.
