Ear infection? Ruptured Ear Drum?

[KatWrangler]

Yesterday I blew my nose and all of a sudden I felt this pressure build up and then a pop in my right ear. The ear hurt but not too bad. Well as the night has gone on the pain has gotten worse. I have been up since before 3 am because of the pain.

Could this be an ear infection? Or did I rupture my ear drum? There is no drainage. Just ALOT of pain. Not only the ear but my jaw down to my chin hurts.

[Marnica]

Hard to speculate...could be an ear infection. I had similar ear pain a few yaers ago....came on after pressure and nose blowing after a cold. I ended up going to immediate care and they told me I had an ear infection and gave me abx....I didn't take them and healed it naturally.

It could also be that you have air/pressure built up. I have experienced pain like that from flying...just excrutiating, that lasted for almost 2 days before it finally "popped" back and the pressure was relieved. Are you or have you been sick with a head cold. If so It may be more likely you have an ear infection. If you are in that much pain though, just have someone take a peek in there. Then at least you will know and then you can choose how to treat it....Hope you feel better

[KatWrangler]

Finally at 6:15 I couldn't stand the pain anymore. I took two Excederin. The pain is gone. I have a ringing in the ear though. Feels full/clogged.

[rhiOrion]

If you can take a decongestant that helps me tremendously. I have not been back to the dr for an ear ache since I learned to just take the decongestant before things get bad. And I used to go to the dr for ear aches/infections fairly frequently before. I'll usually take a decongestant and an ibuprofen, because the ibuprofen will help even more with swelling, and with the pain.

Warm compresses can help with the pain if it comes back, too.

[balancedmama]

I think it sounds like an infection or pressure. I ruptured my ear drum once and actually felt no pain afterwards (nor could I hear out of that ear). I've heard this from moms before too, that when their child had an ear infection and it ruptured, it didn't hurt afterwards. Not sure if it's that way for everyone.

[KatWrangler]

It's infected. Sigh... I opted for the abx.