Add in other symptoms like jaw pain, and its twice the trouble.
Can an ear infection cause jaw pain?
Sadly, yes (as if an earache wasnt sucky enough).
The jaw joint sits right in front of the ear and ear canal, says Dr. Chen.
So inflammation in the ear area will affect its neighbor, i.e., the jaw.
Still, if you have ear and jaw pain, you might not put two and two together.
professor of otolaryngology and rhinology at theUniversity of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
So how can you tell if your ear infection is causing your throbbing jaw?
But if in doubt, see your doctor.
Usually, a healthy person doesnt need antibiotics to clear a middle ear infection, says Dr. Chen.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Its pretty uncommon, but its possible, says Dr. Chen.
When an outer ear infection spreads to the surrounding tissues and bone, its called malignant otitis externa.
How do I know if I have an ear infection or TMJ?
Often, people with TMJ issues are misdiagnosed with an ear infection, says Dr. Chen.
But there are subtle differences.
professor of otolaryngology and rhinology at theUniversity of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Even so, differentiating between an infection and TMD isnt so cut and dry.
So telling the difference in this case might not be as clear.
At the end of the day, its best to leave the diagnosing to a medical professional.
If the issue doesnt resolve on its own after a week or so, see your doctor.
They can take a history of your symptoms and look inside your ear.
If theres no evidence of infection, youre liking dealing with TMJ problems.
What can be mistaken for ear infection?
Whenever an earache strikes, our first assumption is an ear infection.
Even though ear infections are common in kids, theyre less likely to happen as you get older.
Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection in your mastoidthe large bone behind your ear.
Like an ear infection, mastoiditis can be painful.
It may really hurt when you touch the area behind your ear.
Youll need antibiotics and steroids to treat the infection.
In severe cases, you might even have surgery to remove the infected bone.
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