Earache

What it is
Earache is usually due to infection or inflammation of the outer or middle parts of the ear. This is usually due to a viral infection, but is occasionally bacterial. Symptoms can include earache, a feeling of fullness in the ear, reduced hearing, ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus) and fever. Earache can also be due to a build up of wax, a boil in the ear canal, a build up of catarrh in the Eustachian tube, or infections elsewhere in the region such as tonsillitis, tooth abscess, or mastoiditis (infection of part of the bony skull behind the ear).

Self help measures:
If pain is not too severe, rest the ear against a warm hot-water bottle to ease pain.

If pain is severe, or discharge occurs, seek medical advice before using magnetic patches.

Applying magnetic patches
Apply a magnetic patch to the bony hairless area just behind the ear. Magnetic patches can also be applied to acupuncture points over or near the site of pain, as shown in the following illustration. Select the points which most closely relate to the site of discomfort.