Ear canal swelling, pain, no infection, trauma but not happened! - anyone had similar and what could cause??!

[solidnwardar]

Ds 14 has been complaining of a sore, blocked ear for about 5 days and very much describing what sounded like trapped wax. Took him for microsuction and the audiologist said there was no wax at all but the ear canal was swollen, no infection but probably trauma (but we can’t think of anything traumatic that could have caused it - he never puts anything in his ears, no knocks to the ear or damaging sounds etc.)

Then went to the doctors who said the same and gave some antibiotics just in case. No one was really that interested but DS is in agony. Can barely eat or sleep. We’ve been given the antibiotics and pain relief so will see what happens over the next few days but it just seems really strange as to what the cause is?! Has anyone had similar?

Otitis externa. I get it from time to time when I've over cleaned my ears.

Isn’t that an infection though? (According to Google anyway!)
When you get it - does it cause severe pain down into your jaw etc? How long does it take to resolve?

Yes, well, inflammation of the ear canal, often caused by infection I think. And yes to the pain. Usually goes within a couple of days of antibiotics but obviously will need to complete the course.

Btw if you catch it early in future there's an over the counter product called Ear Calm that will settle it (a spray).

Does he like lying in the bath with his head underwater? Years ago my GP said that was causing my recurrent ear infections. I wasn't convinced but turned out he was right. I think swimming and surfing etc can also be a cause.

Also I think excessive scratching of itchy ears ie with a little finger can break the skin and so cause infection.

You may find a cold compress helps with the pain.
I am thinking those bags of gel which you buy in a pharmacy then put in the fridge.

A boil that hasn’t come to a head?

When was his last dental check up? He's a bit young for his wisdom teeth to be playing him up but mine coming through caused pain almost everywhere except my teeth - ears, neck, shoulders, sinuses - so if he's grinding his teeth or jaw clenching in his sleep that could do it?

Doesn’t lie in the bath at all. He does swim in the sea but actually hasn’t for the last few weeks for various reasons so didn’t think it was water related.

That’s a good idea - hadn’t thought of a compress.

Hmm that’s a possibility. Will keep an eye out for that.

He was at the dentist about 6 weeks ago and they didn’t say anything but he keeps saying he can’t bite down, like it’s misaligned or something which to me, seems more jaw / teeth like. That said the ear canal is very much red and inflamed - just not infected apparently! It’s very strange.