Why are my ears red and itchy

In life, we always encounter various small problems, such as falls, headaches, nausea, etc. Sometimes we may wake up and inexplicably find that our ears are red and itchy, but we don’t know why? So, today we will take a look at the reasons and solutions for red and itchy ears.

1. Classification of otitis media

Otitis media can be divided into two categories: non-suppurative and suppurative. Non-suppurative otitis media is divided into: secretory otitis media (catarrhal otitis media, exudative otitis media), barotraumatic otitis media, and simple otitis media; suppurative otitis media is divided into: acute suppurative otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media; and chronic suppurative otitis media can be divided into three types: simple type, cholesteatoma type, and bone ulcer type.

2. Why do people get otitis media?

Under normal circumstances, the middle ear is connected to the outside world through the Eustachian tube. When the pressure inside and outside the eardrum is unbalanced, it needs to be adjusted through the Eustachian tube. However, when there is inflammation in the nasal cavity and throat, it will affect the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, resulting in symptoms of middle ear inflammation. Or when the Eustachian tube malfunctions, there will be a negative pressure in the tympanic cavity, causing fluid accumulation in the middle ear and middle ear inflammation. In addition, perforation of the eardrum caused by trauma can also cause otitis media.

3. What causes or diseases are likely to lead to otitis media?

Inflammatory infections from many diseases may spread to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, which opens in the nasopharynx, leading to otitis media. So what inflammatory infections can cause otitis media? There are respiratory tract infections: rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, etc.; and acute infectious diseases: such as scarlet fever, measles, whooping cough and pneumonia, etc. These diseases can easily lead to acute necrosis of the middle ear mucosa and invade the tympanic sinus and mastoid, especially secondary to the more durable Proteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, which are very difficult to treat.

Secondly, some bad habits in life, such as incorrect nose blowing methods, incorrect feeding posture for infants and young children, smoking, and listening to loud rock music with headphones for a long time can all lead to otitis media. If water is swallowed into the mouth while swimming or diving, the water will enter the middle ear through the nasopharynx and may also cause otitis media.

In addition, some patients have tympanic membrane trauma, irregular tympanic membrane puncture, tympanostomy tube placement, etc., which cause pollutants from the nasal cavity or external auditory canal to enter the middle ear, causing bacterial infection and otitis media.

If your ears are red and itchy and these are just simple symptoms, then there is no need to worry. Just wait a moment. If the redness and itching are obvious and persist, it is recommended that you go to the ENT department of the hospital for a detailed diagnosis and treatment to avoid delaying the disease. It is recommended that everyone pay more attention to their physical health and body changes in daily life.