In a previous blog, we discussed what may cause your throat and ear to feel itchy. Dealing with that itchy feeling is annoying enough, but being painful is a different matter. Pain in your ears or throat is usually sharp or scratchy. This is commonly paired with allergies or a cold because of issues like post nasal drip; but it might be an indication of something more serious like tonsillitis. Here’s what you need to know about a painful throat and ear.
What are some symptoms of the pain?
- There’s a mild to severe pain in the very back of your throat
- It feels dry or scratchy feeling
- It hurts to swallow anything or even when you’re talking
- The glands in your neck or jaw feel swollen
- Your hearing is muffled
- Your ears feel full
- There’s fluid draining out of them
In addition to these symptoms, they might be accompanied with a fever, headache, or just feeling altogether unwell.
What are some of the most common causes of a sore throat?
- Allergies can be from a number of things. Usually, pollen and dust are the biggest contributors to allergies. They can inflame the mucus membranes. Nasal congestion and sneezing can occur too.
- Strep throat is a group of bacteria that causes a contagious infection. If you get it, there will be tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth and spike a fever. It can come on quickly and can be painful.
- Tonsillitis is when your tonsils become inflamed. While it’s more common in children, adults can experience it too. It can be caused by a virus or bacteria that causes the throat to be painful as well as have a fever and swollen lymph nodes.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are feeling any of the symptoms relating to COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately to prevent further spread of the infection. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
