Tackling earaches in cold weather

Earache can be common during the winter months. At this time of year we’re not only more likely to get viruses that can affect the ears but also to feel the impact of the change in temperature. Our ears don’t have much insulating fat on them, as they are mostly made up of cartilage, which means they can get very cold, very quickly. Plus, there are lots of ways in which ears can become irritated once the cold weather arrives.

Common reasons for earache in winter

Congestion resulting from a cold.

The colder months are the prime time for catching colds that can lead to some serious congestion. This affects the eustachian tubes, which are the passage between the middle ear, upper throat and back of the nose. When you have a cold these tubes can become blocked with fluid and mucus, causing a lot of discomfort and - often - a secondary ear infection too. Colds are mostly characterised by sneezing, coughing and congestion.

A sinus infection.

This is the time of year that we are most likely to experience a cold and persistent colds can lead to a sinus infection. This can feel like pressure in the sinuses, which become inflamed, and can also trigger earache. Other symptoms of sinusitis include green or yellow nasal discharge, a headache, fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing and fever.

A middle ear infection.

This condition is also known as Otitis Media - it is the result of viruses or bacteria travelling through the eustachian tubes to the ear and causing a buildup of fluid there. Middle ear infections can be very uncomfortable and are characterised by a number of different symptoms, including fever, swelling, problems with your hearing and redness around the ear.

Cold weather.

If you’re spending a lot of time outside in the cold weather without anything to protect your ears then this can also trigger earache, ear infections and even hearing loss. For example, a condition called ‘surfer’s ear’ means that bony growths develop in the ear canal due to extreme temperature exposure and can constrict the ear canal, which ultimately leads to problems like ear infections and even hearing loss.

Tackling earaches in cold weather

There are lots of steps you can take to help avoid earache in cold weather, including:

• Protect your ears from the cold with a hat or ear muffs.
• Avoid putting anything in the ears like cotton buds or even your fingers.
• If you’re swimming, ensure that your ears are completely dry when you get changed.
• Make sure that you’re reducing the impact of any allergies to avoid problematic congestion.
• Have some remedies to hand, such as over-the-counter ear drops and pain relief, which can both be useful for managing earache.

The cold weather - and the viruses we tend to pick up at this time of year - can be a real problem when it comes to earache, whether you’re usually susceptible or not. Taking good care of your ears is essential at this time of year. And, if earache is persistent, make sure you get some medical help.

Harley Street is the UK's foremost private medical centre which is dedicated to providing high-quality care for your ear, nose, throat, head & neck, and balance-related disorders. Find out more information on how Harley Street ENT can help you here.