Sharp pain behind ear that comes and goes is a serious issue that needs professional consultation.
If you suffer from sharp pain behind the ear then, you need to take care of this nagging issue on a priority basis. Pain in the ear is very different from pain right behind the ear.
While it does seem as though the pain is arising from within the ear, in reality, the pain initiates from outside of the ear.
One of the most common reason behind pain that initiates right behind the ear is occipital neuralgia. This is a medical term that is known to denote the portion of the neck that lies behind the ear.
The occipital nerve that runs behind your neck is considered to be damaged. Owing to this very reason, you experience constant jabbing or poling pain in this area.
In most cases, the occipital nerve has been compressed. At times, this nerve could also have ben inflamed. An itch in the nerve owing to it being trapped within unnatural confines is also a theory.
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What is Sharp Pain Behind Ear that Comes and Goes Article Contents
1. If My Occipital Nerve is Damaged would it cause Pain behind the Ear?
2. Can TMJ lead to Pain Right behind My Ear?
3. Can Infection in the Middle Ear cause Sharp Pain behind the Ear?
4. Can the Varicella-Zoster Virus cause Pain behind My Ear?
5. Can Tooth Decay or Cavities cause Sharp Pain Behind My Ear?
6. Can Infection in the Mastoid Bone cause Pain Behind My Ear?
7. Can Ear Wax Lead to Pain behind the Ear?
8. Takeaway
If My Occipital Nerve is Damaged would it cause Pain behind the Ear?
Well, it is highly likely that a damaged occipital nerve shall cause pain at the back of your neck. This nerve has its root in your neck area. From there on, it tends to make its way to the top of your head.
All the while, the occipital nerve shall remain at the back of your neck and behind your scalp. Any compression to this nerve would irritate it.
A simple movement such as a shake of the head can initiate this pain. A good way to identify this pain is it being focused to one section of the head – either the right or the left side.
In some people. the pain initiates when they are chewing food or drinking cold water. Ironically, people confuse sensitivity in gums with occipital nerve damage.
How do I come to Know that the Pain behind My Ear is because my Occipital Nerve is Damaged?
Here are the following situations wherein you may be suffering from occipital nerve injury:
@ Well, if you suffer from queasy sensation whenever you are traveling in a bus or any other vehicle.
@ If you experience a constant ringing in the ear then again, it is quite possible that you are facing issues with a damaged nerve.
@ In case your nasal passage is blocked then again, it is an indicator for the same.
@ If you are experiencing pain on the right hand side of the head and vision of your right eye is also adversely affected then, it is highly likely that you are experiencing nerve damage.
@ When you press the back area of your neck, you may experience shooting pain. The same pain can showcase itself if you press the scalp behind your head gently.
Can TMJ lead to Pain Right behind My Ear?
TMJ is actually the name of a joint in the front portion of the human ear. The temporomandibular joint connects to the human skull and is responsible for the movement of your jaw. When the muscles responsible the same are jeopardized, it leads to aches and pains.
I (LeanAndFit review staff) feel that the joint that connects the jaw to skull may also be injured thereby leading to pain behind the ear.
How do I come to Know that the Pain behind My Ear is because my Temporomandibular Joint is Damaged?
@ Your pain initiates whenever you are eating your favorite burger or pasta. Basically, the natural chewing motion tends to initiate this pain.
@ When you open your mouth to speak or move your jaw from side to side, you overhear a strange popping sound.
@ Pain is limited to one side of the ear (in most cases).
@ It is quite likely that the pain that you suffer from may extend to your arm as well. So, if the pain is in the right ear then, it may extend to the right arm as well as the right eye.
@ When you wake up first thing in the morning then, pain initiates in the forehead. Soon, it spread to the ear and the throat. It also spreads to the throat.
@ Another symptom is feeing of tiredness post completing your meal. This uneasy feeling is also felt in the stomach area (apart from the jaws).
My Temporomandibular Joint is Damaged. Why did this Happen?
@ One of the most common reasons for the same is an injury to the joint.
@ Another possibility is the development of arthritis.
@ If you father or mother has TMJ then, it is highly likely that you too shall suffer from the same.
@ In case you are habitual of grinding your teeth impulsively, your TMJ joint and muscles may get adversely affected.
@ Your teeth and gums may be misaligned. This too may cause an injury to the TMJ muscle and joint.
@ Your neck is not being reacted properly. Bad posture may lead to an injury to your jaw.
@ Poor neck position owing to sitting for long hours behind the desk and staring at the computer screen also weakness the muscles of the jaw.
@ Believe it or not but your TMJ joint may get damaged by anxiety. If your anxiety levels are high, your TMJ joint may get damaged.
Can Infection in the Middle Ear cause Sharp Pain behind the Ear?
The space that is located in between the inner and the outer ear is known as the middle ear. Well, this seems to be rather ironic as it is self explanatory but this is what it is. Well, the middle portion of the ear can get inflamed owing to infection.
The most common cause behind this inflammation is flu. This condition too cause pain behind the ear. The condition is medically termed as otitis media.
How do I come to Know that the Pain behind My Ear is because my Middle Ear is Infected?
@ One of the most common symptoms is pain right behind the ear. Usually, it is either the right or the left.
@ The pain can be mild and continuous.
@ In severe infections, the pain is severe as well and continuous.
@ In many cases, your hearing is also effected adversely. You may not be able to decipher normal sounds.
@ You tend to hear sounds that appear muffled despite the other party speaking coherently and loudly.
My Middle Ear is Infected Why did this Happen?
@ Like in the case with any ear infection, this one too has stemmed from virus or fungi infection.
@ Common cold is to be blamed for infection in your middle ear.
@ Flu is also to be blamed for the same.
@ Severe sinusitis and fever can also lead to infection in the middle ear.
Can the Varicella-Zoster Virus cause Pain behind My Ear?
The virus that is termed varicella-zoster is deadly. It has been known to be the prime cause behind human being suffering from chicken pox. When this virus mutates and becomes reactive, it leads to a medical condition termed as Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
When you suffer from this syndrome, you suffer from pain behind the ear.
How do I come to Know that the Pain behind My Ear is because of a Reactive varicella-zoster Virus?
@ The ear canal may experience a painful itch. On closer inspection, you may find a rash infecting the ear canal. Sometimes, the rash tends to spread to the outer portion of the ear.
@ You may experience vomiting. In certain cases, you may also begin to experience nausea.
@ It is highly likely that the tip of your tongue may develop blisters. These can also be felt on the insides of your throat. Basically, your throat as well as tongue may have a weird rash or blisters.
@ Feeling scared of heights is also a part and parcel of the varicella-zoster virus infection.
@ The pain that initiates at the back of your ear may spread to your neck area.
@ Your natural hearing may get reduced. The reduction of hearing is usually in one ear.
@ In severe cases of the varicella-zoster infection, paralysis of the face may occur.
@ Ringing in the ear is yet another symptom of varicella-zoster infection.
If you suffer from a reactive varicella-zoster virus then, you should get it treated. There are certain steroidal medications available for the same. Anti viral medications are also available.
Can Tooth Decay or Cavities cause Sharp Pain Behind My Ear?
Yes, your tooth and gum infections too have the ability to cause pain right behind the ear. Abscesses o the mouth have been known to cause pain behind the ear. So is the case with cavities and tooth that is stated to be in a state of decay.
If tooth and gum infections are left untreated, they may lead to severe health issues – such as fever, stiffness of the neck and drainage from the ear canal.
How do I know that the Pain behind my Ear is Because of Tooth Decay?
@ Your tooth may appear to be super sensitive.
@ You might experience the development of a lump that appears right under the throat.
@ A swelling in the jaw area is also detected.
@ It is quite possible that your gum is swollen and painful.
@ Inflammation on the cheek is also a symptom of the same.
Can Infection in the Mastoid Bone cause Pain Behind My Ear?
It is highly likely that the pain that you are experience right behind your ear is cased by an infection in the mastoid bone. Located on the temporal bone, the Mastoid bone is present on both sides of the ear.
This bone projects behind both sides of your ear. Numerous muscles of your neck are attached via this bone.
So, an infection of this bone is very easy. Infections of the middle ear or flu are one of the most common reasons why your mastoid bone may get infected. Mastoid bone infection tends to affect kids the most.
Dentists are of the opinion that the sternocleidomastoid muscle is responsible for this phenomenon as well. If this muscle gets taunt, the mastoid bone is affected.
How do I know that the Pain behind my Ear is Because of Infection in Mastoid Bone?
@ You may start to feel pain in the mastoid bone. So, simply pay attention to where the pain is initiating. If it is positioned on the bones of the ear then, it is a confirmation to it behind a result of mastoid bone infection and vice versa.
@ If the skin on top of the mastoid bone is reddish in appearance, it is possible that the bone is infected.
@ In case there is inflammation on the lobe of the ear, it is an indicator that your mastoid bone is infected.
@ Secretion of fluid from the er is also an indicator of the same.
@ The inability to hear clearly is also a sign of the same. Hearing ability may be compromised on one or both the ears.
@ Headache backed by fever is also an indicator of the same.
Can Ear Wax Lead to Pain behind the Ear?
Cercumin is a condition wherein wax in large quantity tends to get deposited in the ear canal. While the outer canal of the ear contains wax in order to protect it from foreign objects and infections, if the wax exceeds its normal capacity, it may lead to ear complications.
Usually, ear wax develops and then flushes itself out automatically.
In case the wax has developed in the outer canal but has not flushed itself out, it can push itself deeper into the canal and harden itself. This is when the wax tends to develop into clumps that are hard to flush out on their own.
These clumps of wax present within the ear lead to pain in and behind the ear.
How do I know that the Pain behind My Ear is Owing to Earwax?
@ Your ear may begin to itch way more than normal. This itch may be localized to a spot that is located deep inside the ear canal.
@ Apart from the nagging itch, you may also feel as though your ear is heavier than usual.
@ When you place a finger inside the ear, it feels as though a lot of muck is present within it. Sometimes, your fingernails may showcase muck stains when you remove the finger from your ear.
@ There is a weird ringing sensation that can be felt in the ear. This ringing is a continuous process and does not recede or stop.
@ You may find it difficult to hear from one ear.
@ Sometimes, pain is located right behind the ear.
Takeaway
Sharp pan behind ear that comes and goes is often ignored as ‘nothing serious’ or ‘a routine issue’ that would be resolved on its own accord. Well, this is not at all true and this though process needs to be addressed via gaining proper medical knowledge.
In case you are unable to manage your ear pain and it prolongs then, you should consult a doctor.
It is also suggested that you maintain optimal health of your ear. This can be done by practicing best hygiene practices and consuming a healthy diet.
At the same time, you should also try and include a natural ear supplement in order to further strengthen your overall ear functionality.
The essence here is to avoid complicating your simple ear pain by controlling it before it is allowed to spiral out of control.