Crease in Earlobe Causes: Vertical, Can it be Reversed, in one Ear, Get Rid, Pictures

Earlobe creases are lines in the surface of earlobe of a child or young adult. The surface is otherwise smooth. Franks’ sign is a diagonal ear lobe crease (ELC) extending diagonally from the tragus across the lobuleto the rear edge of the auricle. The sign is named after Dr. Peter J Frank

Crease in Earlobe Meaning

It has been hypothesised that Franks’ sign is indicative of cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes. Some studies have described Franks’ sign as a marker of cardiovascular disease but not linked to the severity of the condition.
In contrast, other studies have rebutted any association between Frank’s sign and coronary artery disease in diabetic. There have also been reported cases of Franks’ sign assisting in the diagnosis of cerebral infarctions.
However, researchers do agree that these crease in earlobe have no predictive value in Native American Indian and Asian patients.
Some studies have focused upon bilateral earlobe creases

Severity of earlobe creases

  • Grade 3 –a crease that covers the whole of the earlobe
  • Grade 2a – Creased more than halfway across the earlobe
  • Grade 2b – A superficial crease across the earlobe
  • Grade 1 – A small amount of wrinkling on the earlobe

Considerations
The earlobes of children and young adults are normally smooth. Creases are sometimes linked with conditions that are passed down through families. Other genetic factors, such as race and earlobe shape, may also determine who develops earlobe creasing and when it occurs.
Note: It is not uncommon to have one small abnormality in facial features, such as an earlobe crease. Most often this does not indicate a serious medical condition.
Some studies have found that people with crease in earlobe have a greater risk for heart attack than others. More recent research suggests that earlobe creases are more common in older people, and that age, not the presence of creases, accounts for the increased heart attack risk.
Other genetic factors such as race and earlobe shape may also determine who develops earlobe creasing and whether it occurs in childhood or adulthood.
You may be at a higher risk of getting heart disease if you’re overweight or you smoke. But what could a diagonal crease in your earlobe tell you?
As the normal earlobe is smooth, an earlobe with a crease has a fold, straight line, or wrinkle that appears to cut the earlobe in half. An open letter that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1973 reported that a diagonal earlobe crease (ELC) was a potential indicator of coronary artery disease. This crease was later called “Frank’s sign,” after the letter writer, Dr. Sanders T. Frank.

How a Crease on Earlobe Indicate Heart Disease

For scientists, they are not sure how these two might be connected, but there are some theories. Degeneration of the elastic tissue around the small blood vessels that carry blood to the earlobes produces the earlobe crease.
This is the same type of change in blood vessels associated with cardiac disease. In other words, visible changes that show up in tiny blood vessels of the ear could indicate similar changes in those blood vessels that can’t be seen around the heart.
For rare conditions like Beckwith-Weidman syndrome, an overgrowth disorder, in children or genetic factors such as race and earlobe shape also can cause a crease.

What Causes Earlobe Creases?

Several scientists have looked at the potential connection between earlobe creases and cardiac arrest disease. Some studies have shown a correlation, while others have not. A study of 340 patients published in 1982 found a crease in earlobe to be a sign associated with aging and CAD.
The crease suggested the presence of a more severe form of heart disease in people who were showing symptoms. The earlobe crease, the researcher’s states that, may identify a subset of patients prone to early aging and to the early development of coronary artery disease, whose prognosis might be improved by early preventative measures.
Another study published in 1989 studied the bodies of 300 patients who had died from various causes. In this study, the diagonal creases were associated with cardiovascular causes of death. The researchers wrote, “We found a strong association between earlobe creases and a cardiovascular cause of death in men and women after age, height, and diabetes had been controlled for.”

Crease in Earlobe Causes

Whatever the size, shape, thickness, or colour, most people have smooth earlobes. But have you ever met someone that has a crease in their earlobe—a line that seems to split it in two? That’s known as “Frank’s Sign”. Surprisingly, it’s named after the man who first recognized it as something other than a simple skin wrinkle.
Creases on earlobes can have various causes, just like most other symptoms.  Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Causes of crease in earlobe

In children, earlobe creases are sometimes linked with rare disorders. One of these is commonly known as Weidman syndrome.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
In most cases, the health care provider will notice earlobe creases during a regular check-up. Talk to your provider if you are concerned that your child’s earlobe creases may be linked to an inherited disorder.
Earlobe crease. This is a tricky trait. You might have an earlobe crease if the trait is passed down genetically through your family. As far as what else may cause this, that’s up for debate. One theory suggests that it could be due to impaired circulation leading to a collapsed blood vessel near the earlobe. Another theory, which comes from a dermatologist, is that it may develop from a combination of aging and sleeping on one particular side of your body. But the cause is hard to pin down and there aren’t any current treatments for it.

Ear crease and heart disease

Many studies have since been performed and the great majority have supported Frank’s research. It hasn’t been definitively determined why heart disease may manifest in a fold in the earlobe.
Theories include:

  • Lack of blood flow to the ears will cause the lobe to wrinkle. If the blood can’t get through to the ears, there’s a blockage somewhere.
  • Elastin and collagen fibres weaken in the ears, indicating a similar weakening of coronary arteries.
  • The coronary arteries end at the ears; vascular disease there means vascular disease further up the line.

Other Theories
A Japanese study found that diagonal earlobe crease may be caused by shortened cell telomeres associated with metabolic syndrome. It concluded that it might be a useful indirect marker of high-risk patients.
Telomeres are areas at the end of each strand of DNA that protect cells from damage. The longer the telomere, the better.
A noticeable symptom of crease in earlobe
Interestingly, a noticeable crease in the earlobe is often an indicator of cardiovascular disease in the absence of any other symptoms.
A study published in 2014 tells of a man with hypertension who went to an outpatient clinic. The physician saw Frank’s sign on both earlobes and suggested further testing, although the man displayed no symptoms of heart problems. After testing, it was found that the left main coronary artery was 80% blocked and the right was 90% blocked. “The patient underwent 3-vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery and has since done well.”
Other Factors
Oddly, prevalence of DELC may be partly cultural/regional.
Another Japanese study found an unarguably strong correlation between ear crease and heart disease. However, the prevalence among the 1000 people involved in the study was less than expected.
It is concluded that, the prevalence of ear crease in Japanese adults is very low compared with the results of previous studies in Europe and America; the prevalence of crease in earlobe tends to increase with advancing age but is unrelated to other risk factors for coronary heart disease; a statistically significant association between earlobe crease and coronary heart disease is seen from multivariate analysis using both clinical and angiographic criteria in the diagnosis of the disease.
Can Ear Lobes Give Other Signs?
DELC may be a clear tell-tale sign of heart disease, but not when mixed with other conditions. One study aimed to discover if DELC would be a credible identifier of vascular disease and retinopathy in diabetic, it was not
In response, a grading system has been developed for DELC that indicates the severity of current cardiovascular risk:

  • Unilateral incomplete – least severe
  • Unilateral complete – moderate
  • Bilateral complete – most severe

Like a canary in a coal mine, should you notice a permanent crease in someone’s ear, don’t ignore it. Early intervention in the case of heart disease can be a life saver.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
This finding is usually discovered on a well-child examination.
If you notice that your child has earlobe creases and are concerned that they may be linked with an inherited disorder, see your paediatrician.

Can Earlobe Creases be reversed

Ear creases aren’t a sign of a magnesium deficiency. Diagonal earlobe creases can be an indicator for coronary artery disease, however, and low magnesium can contribute to heart disease. Earlobe can be reversed if they are not inborn. Those who acquire these genes from their families it may be hard to reverse this condition. Discuss any medical concerns and diet or supplement changes with your health care provider.
Ear Creases and Heart Disease
Diagonal earlobe creases may be an indicator of coronary artery disease in some patients. A study conducted by Iranian researchers and published in a 2014 issue of “Heart India” found that over half of the heart disease patients who participated in the study had diagonal earlobe creases.
Magnesium Deficiency and Heart Disease
Low magnesium levels may contribute to heart disease. A 2013 review of heart disease research titled “The Magnesium Hypothesis of Cardiovascular Disease” led by Andrea Rosanoff, director of research and science information outreach for the Centre for Magnesium Education and Research in Pahoa, Hawaii, found that magnesium deficiencies contributed more to heart disease than cholesterol and saturated fat.
The recommended dietary allowance for magnesium is 310 to 320 milligrams per day for women and 400 to 420 milligrams daily for men. Food sources of magnesium include whole grains such as wheat bran, oat bran and brown rice; greens such as spinach and Swiss chard; nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts; lima beans, milk and bananas.

Vertical Earlobe Crease

Could that small vertical mark on your ear have something to do with heart disease? Here is a simple test that could protect you from serious damage to your health. In 1973, a doctor named Sanders T. Frank conducted a number of studies to determine whether an earlobe crease, known as “Frank’s sign”, could be an indicator of coronary artery disease.
He found that patients who had creases running at an angle from the bottom of their ear opening to the edge of their ear lobe were at higher risk for heart disease. But before you start worrying, here are some basic statistics and background on the test. Since Dr. Frank’s studies were published, more scientists have looked into the correlation between the earlobe crease and heart disease.
Researchers found that the earlobe crease “may identify a subset of patients prone to early aging and to the early development of coronary artery disease, whose prognosis might be improved by early preventative measures.” Others like Dr. Sarah Samaan clarify that, “Heart disease doesn’t cause earlobe creases, nor do the creases cause heart disease, but they seem to be a marker for an unhealthy lifestyle.”
Biologically, ear creases result when the elastic tissue around the small blood vessels in the ear begins to degenerate. This is the same type of change that occurs in the blood vessels when one has coronary artery disease. Therefore, scientists concluded that the visible change in the earlobe could be an indication of more serious changes occurring in the blood vessels around the heart.
To provide you with some numbers, a more recent study in 2006 found the predictive value of the ear crease to be about 80 percent in individuals 40 years and younger. That said, it appears that ear creases can predict certain aging diseases like heart disease and possibly even diabetes, but there are still some scientists that are unconvinced.
One study conducted in 1980 found that there was no significant relationship between earlobe creases and coronary artery disease in American Indians, suggesting that “Frank’s sign” may not have the same level of indication in other ethnic groups. Another study on Japanese Americans also found no correlation between earlobe creases and heart disease.
Yet other scientists propose that because the studies are usually conducted on patients over the age of 50, the results may be biased as individuals naturally have a higher risk for these diseases as they age. It could be that earlobe creases are simply a sign of the natural aging process.

Earlobe Crease in one Ear

Despite these doubts, most scientists and doctors agree that the appearance of an ear crease in one ear at the age of 50 and below could be a good indication that the body is not as healthy as it should be. For this reason, if you have an earlobe crease, or know someone with one, it is important to consult a doctor who can test your blood and determine if this odd indicator holds any truth. And remember, heart disease can be treated and even stopped in its tracks, and once it has disappeared, so too will the earlobe crease!
The ear lobe crease (ELC) has been defined as a deep wrinkle that extends backwards from the tragus to the auricle. It has been proposed that ELC is a predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this review, we consider the possible association between ELC and CAD. Our aim is to systematically address all the relevant evidence in this field. There are many studies that support an association between ELC and CAD. However, other studies did not find such an association. A recent meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that ELC could be a marker of CAD. However, several limitations raise doubts as to whether we should accept this link.
Keywords: ear lobe crease, coronary artery disease, Frank’s sign
Several algorithms have been used to predict cardiovascular events without the use of invasive methods. These include the Framingham, Prospective Cardiovascular Munster and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation engines that predict risk in populations without CVD as well as the Diamond Forrester algorithm which predicts the probability of having significant cardiovascular in symptomatic patients. In a recent study, the Framingham risk score seems to outmatch the other three risk scores in 1,296 stable chest pain patients, who underwent cardiac computed tomographic angiography to assess cardiovascular. However, the algorithms often overestimate the prevalence of cardiovascular.
Coronary angiography and CCTA are used to diagnose or rule out CAD. However, these invasive techniques have limitations since they involve exposure to radiation and the administration of contrast agents. Contrast-induced nephropathy is associated with prolonged hospitalization as well as increased cardiovascular morbidity, renal morbidity and all-cause mortality.
There is a need for additional markers which might identify individuals at high risk of CAD. The ear lobe crease. a simple clinical sign first described by Frank in 1973, could be a potential predictor of CAD. Since then, numerous studies have evaluated the potential link between ELC and risk of CAD.
In this review, we describe the possible association between ELC and CAD. Our aim is to systematically address all the relevant evidence in this field

How to Get Rid of Crease in Ear Lobe

The best crease on ear lobe remedies, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, are those that focus on preventing wrinkles in the first place. So regardless what sort of wrinkle-removal remedy you choose, take the following steps as well: try to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most direct, always use sunscreen with an SFP of at least 30, wear a hat and lighten up on soap use while increasing the amount of rinsing you do.
Soap residue left on the face can contribute to drying and wrinkled looking skin. Consider adding olive oil to your diet by regularly eating salad greens dressed with olive oil and lemon since olive oil offers skin benefits to those who consume it as well as those who apply it topically, GrannyMed.com suggests.
Olive Oil
Step 1
Boil 6-8 cups of water. Pour the hot water into a large bowl. Bend over near the bowl and drape a towel over your head to create a steam tent. Wait five to 15 minutes as you allow your face to steam.
Step 2
Massage a small amount of olive oil onto damp facial skin. Apply the oil using long sweeping movements from the chin up onto the rest of the face.
Step 3
Work the oil in gently but firmly, taking care to avoid your eyes. Move your fingertips in a circular motion on the skin of your forehead, temples, and down the sides of your face and back up again.
Step 4
Place one finger on the skin on each side of your nose. Move your fingers in circles in that spot and then move outward about half an inch and repeat the circular motion. Continue moving outward and repeating this motion until you reach your ear lobes.
Cucumber
Step 1
Grate one large cucumber. Put the shredded cucumber in a strainer and set it over a bowl to drain.
Step 2
Allow the cucumber juice to drip into the bowl, pressing with your fingers to remove more of the liquid.
Step 3
Use a cotton ball to swab your face with the cucumber juice. Let it sit on your face for at least 30 minutes and then rinse well.
Step 4
Repeat this procedure daily. Within a few days you should be able to see results, according to the Home Remedies Guide.
Egg Whites
Step 1
Separate one egg and beat the white until frothy.
Step 2
Apply the foamy egg white to your face using your fingers. Leave the egg white on for at least 30 minutes or overnight–if you can sleep on your back.
Step 3
Rinse your face with cool water to reveal smooth, soft, tightened skin.
More references

  1. Frank’s sign: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank’s_sign
  2. How to remove earlobe creases with home remedies: http://www.livestrong.com/article/164473-how-to-remove-wrinkles-with-home-remedies/
  3. Heart- head connection: https://dailyhealthpost.com/ear-crease-heart-disease/

Canker Sore on Tonsils: Causes, White Sore, Red, Ulcers, Treatment, Get Rid, Pictures

Canker sores are characterized by a yellow or whitish dot on the cheek, the tongue, or any other part of the mouth including the tonsils and their underlying tissues. The canker is often surrounded by reddish, inflamed-looking flesh. It is also referred to as aphthous ulcer or aphthous stomatitis. It is more common in women than in men. Susceptibility to canker sore can be inherited.

What Causes a Canker Sore

Most canker sores are oval or round in shape, white at the centre with red border.
There are three types of canker sores and this may include:

  • Minor sores– it measures about 3 – 10 mm, oval shaped with red border. This is the more common type. The lesions may heal in 10 to 14 days. The healing process will takes place without leaving any scar.
  • Major sores– They are bigger and deeper than the other two types. A major sore is usually round with defined red border. If it is larger, it forms an irregular shape with irregular edges. It is extremely painful. Major sores grow more than 10 mm and take six weeks to months before they heal and may even leave scars.
  • Herpetiform sores– These are large groups of sores, from clusters of 10 to about 100. They may also merge into one large sore and have irregular edges. They appear smaller, about 2 – 3 mm. These sores may be the smallest, but they appear in hundreds simultaneously. You can expect them to heal without scarring.

If you get a canker sore on your tonsils, every time you swallow, you’ll know that it is one of the most painful canker sores you can get.

Some of the main causes of canker sores often include:

  • A small injury as a result of an accidental bite, bump, burn, rough brushing of teeth, or dental work–any small abrasion to the inside of the cheeks, lips, or tongue may not heal properly and may cause a canker.
  • Lack of important nutrients that promote proper growth of tissues, such as iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
  • Allergies or sensitivities to toothpaste or food (coffee, chocolate, shellfish, strawberries, cheese, eggs, nuts, highly acidic foods like pineapple, lemon, and tomatoes, and ingredients like sodium lauryl.
  • Acidic foods, like citrus fruits can trigger the appearance or make it worse.
  • Smoking
  • Gastrointestinal tract diseases, like Cohn’s disease or Celiac disease
  • Auto-immune disorders, like Behcet’s disease or systemic lupus erythematous IQ
  • Other immune system weaknesses, like the common cold, flue, or HIV/AIDS
  • Oral cancer
  • Poor oral hygiene.
  • An allergic response to bacteria in the mouth.
  • Hormonal changes may trigger a canker sore on a woman’s tonsil tissue during the days prior to menstruation.

As compared to cold sores, canker sores are not associated with herpes virus infections. If you experience cankers chronically, keep a record of everything you eat and drink to help determine what might be the cause. There are also more serious medical triggers for canker sores so if you get them chronically, consult your doctor.

Canker Sore on Tonsils Causes

Canker sores usually occur in the mouth, cheeks and tongue. But sometimes, they can occur on the tonsils too. These usually occur as whitish or yellowish dots that may be surrounded by inflamed, reddish flesh. Canker sore on tonsil usually can cause great pain, whenever you try to swallow. However, they are not dangerous or contagious. They often heal on their own, usually within a week.
Food allergy
A canker sore may develop if you have food allergies; foods involved frequently are strawberries, tomatoes, acidic fruits or vegetables, and sometimes, even shellfish. If you have a food allergy, keep track of what you eat to identify what foods can irritate you, so you can avoid them and prevent canker sores. You can also have a food allergy test to help uncover what particular foods can cause these sores.
Sensitivity to Medication
This can also cause canker sore on tonsil or anywhere in your mouth. Again, it is advisable to keep track of your reactions to medications, especially antibiotics which are the most frequent causes of allergic reactions. But before you discontinue your medications, consult your doctor first.
Reaction to Toothpaste
This kind of condition may be linked to certain toothpastes, if you are allergic to them. The reaction may be caused by an ingredient in your toothpaste, so it is important to read the list of ingredients in product before purchasing. The specific ingredient may vary from person to person. Some mouthwashes can also trigger canker sores.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you do not brush your teeth regularly, you may be prone to canker sores. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a build-up of bacteria and viruses in your mouth and tonsils. To avoid this, brush your teeth regularly and in the proper way, as advised by your dentist.
Minor Injuries
Minor injuries that may occur on the tonsils or mouth, such as a bite, a bump, or a minor burn from hot foods. Rough brushing with your toothbrush or dental appliances can also cause canker sores when the injured area doesn’t heal properly.
Other Causes may include:

  • A lack of nutrients like vitamin B12 and folate, or minerals such as iron and zinc can cause poor oral health.
  • Anxiety and stress can also increase your risk for oral sores.
  • Hormonal changes can trigger canker sore on tonsil tissue, especially before menstruation.

Medication. Sometimes, corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation and intense pain due to canker sores. However, this treatment cannot be used for prolonged periods because it can have negative effects. Antibiotics may also be recommended if there is bacterial infection, but caution must be needed, because it can cause canker sore

Canker Sore on Tonsil and Ear Pain

It may be interesting to note that ears, nose and throat have a connection between them which links all the three to one another. Infection or an allergy affecting any one of these three structures results in discomfort in all the three.
The middle ear and the throat are connected by a narrow tube known as Eustachian tube. Sore throat almost always blocks this tube, which is a result of swelling of the tube, and this in turn results in increased pressure in the ear causing ear pain.
However in some cases patients also experience one-sided sore throat and ear pain. This happens when the infection affects only one side of the throat. In such cases the pain only affects on one side leaving the other side pain free.

Cause of Canker Sore and Ear Pain Simultaneously

Canker sore on tonsil is a condition which is caused when pharynx, larynx and tonsils of the throat become inflamed. A common sore throat usually lasts for more than three days. Sore throat is commonly caused by microbial infections, which can be treated by taking over-the-counter medications.
In some cases of tonsil infection, mucus is stuffed in sinus cavities and this can result in ear pain. Being interlinked with one another, all of these organs go through the process of exchanging the fluids among themselves. This interrelation of the organs and exchange of fluids certainly puts them at the risk of exchange of infections too.
This means infection in any one of the organ also infects the remaining two organs. This exchange of infection between the organs results in canker sore on tonsil and ear pain.
A canker sore on tonsil and ear pain is usually as a result of an infection resulting from an inflammation caused in the inner ear, outer ear or middle ear. This inflammation not only results in stretching the eardrum, but also forces it to swell which may also affect the hearing ability. However, in some cases patients may also experience chronic pain for prolonged period due to allergies due to immune system.
Exposure to smoke, consuming excessive alcohol, consuming very hot or cold foods, allergies, swollen glands, microbial infections, pollution, hay fever, sinus infections, tonsillitis, ear infections, cough, cold and flu, uvula infection, tooth infection and overuse of vocal cords are also the conditions that may cause canker sores on tonsil and ear pain.

Symptoms of Canker Sore on tonsil and Ear Pain

These may include, feeling difficulty while swallowing, swollen glands and lymph nodes, fever, pus and rash on the tonsils, stiffness in the back and neck, prolonged mouth ulcers, blood tinged saliva, blood tinged phlegm are few of the symptoms of sore throat and ear pain.
Treatment for canker sore on tonsil and Ear Pain

  • Changing the tooth brush can also be helpful in getting rid of the condition and reduces the chances of transmitting the infection back into the throat through the tooth brush.
  • Saline Nasal Spray for Sore Throat and Ear Pain: Saline nasal spray can also be used in case of dry throat and nose as saline nasal spray helps in keeping the mucus membrane in moist condition.
  • Pain Killers for Sore Throat and Ear Pain: Temporary use of painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can also help in relieving the condition.
  • Antibiotics for Sore Throat and Ear Pain: Taking antibiotics for sore throat can also be helpful, especially in strep throat.

The home remedies that may help in handling this conditions are easily available in your kitchen. This may involve the following;

  • Heat for canker sore and Ear Pain: Application of a heated piece of cloth on the affected ear can help in relieving the ear pain for some period of time. Care should be taken not to heat the cloth excessively to avoid any burn injuries.
  • Steaming for canker sore and Ear Pain: Vapour bath or taking steam can help in reducing the severity of the condition. Steam taken for sore throat along with both the ears usually helps to recover quickly.
  • Hydration: Adequate amount of warm fluid intake such as warm turmeric milk and hot soup not only helps in keeping the throat hydrated, but also eases the process of swallowing and talking. It is also better to avoid alcohol, smoking and eating very hot or cold food during the healing period.
  • Lozenges and Popsicles for canker sore on tonsil and Ear Pain: these two usually are also helpful in keeping the throat in a moist condition.
  • Salt Water Gargling: Gargling with salt water repeatedly many times in a day could also be effective in speeding the healing of the canker sore hence reduce ear pan.
  • Use of herbal medicine: this may include preparing tea from the mixture of basil leaves, turmeric, ginger, salt and cinnamon and consuming this warm preparation by adding one tea spoon of honey to it is also an effective remedy. Consuming this preparation also helps in lessening fever. Apart from this, ginger extracts when consumed with honey can also be helpful.

White Sore on Tonsils

If the tonsils frequently became inflamed or infected in the past years, they would be removed. Of course this is still one of the tonsils treatment in some cases. However, doctors now understand that the tonsils have a much larger impact on the digestive process than was originally anticipated.
The tonsils also help to fight off infections, which is why they can become covered in white sores. These spots like sores are usually pus that has developed as white blood cells kill off bacteria or viruses infecting the tissue. A bit of home care can usually ward off these symptoms, but it is important to check with your doctor if your symptoms linger or appear severe.

Possible Causes of White Sores on Tonsils

Tonsillitis- This is an infection of the tonsils caused by an exposure to bacteria or a virus. As the tonsils begin to fight the infection they will produce white pus which will collect in white patches on the flesh. You may also experience headaches, fever or a stiff neck as you begin to develop tonsillitis.
Oral Thrush- White patches on the canker sore on tonsils may be a fungal infection caused by an excess amount of yeast. Yeast is frequently found throughout the body, but certain conditions can cause its population to boom to an unhealthy level.
Those who are immune suppressed or those who partake in an excessively sugary diet are more likely to develop yeast infections in the mouth. These patches will not cause swelling, but they can alter the taste in your mouth.
Sore Throat- A strep infection is one of the most common causes of severe sore throat. This bacterial infection will frequently show itself as white canker sore on tonsils and throat. You will notice pain when swallowing, or a scratchy feeling in the throat. The lymph nodes in the neck and the tonsils will become swollen as they attempt to rid the body of this infection. High fevers are also common when battling strep throat.
Mononucleosis- usually it is commonly known as mono. This viral infection will combine common flu symptoms with fatigue, fever and headaches. Adolescents who develop this condition will frequently develop patches of puss in the throat, especially around the tonsils. Your lymph nodes will also become very swollen, and some patients may also develop a body rash.

How to Get Rid of Canker Sores on Tonsils, Treatment

Before trying medical treatment, try to determine if your sore is indeed a canker sore and not a fever blister, or the symptom of some other conditions on the tonsils. Management for canker sores on the tonsil includes:

  • Avoid spicy foods. Instead, try eating yogurt which contains lactobacillus acidophilus or good bacteria that help reduce burning sensation.
  • Baking Soda Mouth Rinse.This can help reduce pain and promote healing. Mix 1 tsp. of baking soda with warm water and gargle. Avoid swallowing the mixture. Do this at least once a day or as needed.
  • Zinc Lozenges.These are effective for canker sores because of their antibiotic properties, which can help kill germs in your tonsil area.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide/Milk of Magnesia.Mix 1 tsp. hydrogen peroxide with 1 tsp. water. Dip a cotton swab in the mixture. Apply directly on the affected tonsil. Or with a new cotton swab, dip into some milk of magnesia. Dab on tonsil. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
  • Mouthwash/Gargle.Try to find mouthwashes that contain antibacterial substances which can help heal a canker sore on tonsil. Make sure the mouthwash you choose doesn’t contain the ingredient that will aggravate your condition. You can also try gargling with salt and water, which is also an effective home remedy for canker sores. Do this at least twice a day.
  • Cold Drink. Drinking cold beverages or sucking on ice cube helps numb the pain, but these won’t heal the sores.
  • Vitamin B12.Take at least 100 mg of vitamin B12 and eat vitamin B-rich foods such as fish, shellfish, and dairy.
  • This is an over-the-counter health supplement extracted by honey bees from trees and other plant sources. It has been used for ages in the treatment of canker sores. This is an herbal antiseptic that helps clean sores and kill bacteria.
  • These are products that contain good or friendly bacteria, which may be found in natural foods like dairy products such as yogurt. You can also find them in health supplements. They help fight bad bacteria and balance the flora in your mouth and digestive tract.
  • This chemical compound has many uses. The powder form can be used as a deodorant to fight body odour. It is also used to purify water. You can try applying a small dab of alum on your sore. This can be quite painful, and may even induce vomiting; however, its high level of acidity and antiseptic property are very effective in healing canker sores more rapidly.

Treatments and preventions for canker sore on tonsils

Home Remedies
Minor infections of the tonsils can usually be treated with home care. These may include the following:

  • When your tonsils feel scratchy or inflamed, gargling can often lessen the discomfort. Mix a glass of warm salty water, taking care not to create a mixture that is hot enough to scald your mouth. Take a mouthful of the beverage, lean your head back, open your mouth and make a “g” sound with the back of your throat, allowing the water to swish around the tonsils. Spit out the liquid and take a new mouthful for each repetition to avoid spreading the pus throughout the mouth.
  • Sipping warm, caffeine free fluidsthroughout the day can also help bathe the throat to help clear out an infection. Teas with honey, chicken broth or warm water are frequently recommended. If the throat is swollen, ice pops, cold beverages or a cold compress on the neck can provide relief. Avoid foods like ice cream as dairy products can encourage mucus production.
  • Create a comfortable atmospherefor your recovery. Avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke or perfumes that can cause the throat to become scratchy. Run a humidifier to keep the air comfortable and try to get plenty of rest so your body can focus as much of its energy as possible on fighting the infection.

Medical Treatments
Antibiotics– If your symptoms are causing a great deal of discomfort or you are experiencing a fever, you should see a doctor to determine if antibiotics are necessary to help clear the infection. Antibiotics cannot help rid the body of a virus or fungal infections. Your doctor will take a sample of the pus on your tonsils with a cotton swab and run lab tests to determine what type of medication is appropriate.
Tonsillectomy– If your tonsils frequently become inflamed or they swell to the point where they are causing you difficulty breathing, your doctor may advise you to have them removed. Those who have an infection that will not respond to treatment may also be candidates for a tonsillectomy. This is typically a one day surgery that will take one to two weeks to recover from. During this time the throat will be sore and you may have a restricted diet to avoid irritating the surgical area, but no extreme side effects are expected.
More references

  1. Canker sore on tonsil: http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Canker-Sore-on-Tonsil.html
  2. Causes of cankers on the tonsil: http://healthh.com/canker-sore-on-tonsil/

Excess Mucus in Throat: Thick, Sticky, Constant, Buildup, How to Get Rid

Throat mucus, also known as phlegm, can be described as that uncomfortable feeling that you experience when mucus clogs up your throat or drips from the back of your nose. The glands of your throat and nose produce about 1 to 2 litres of mucus per day. This mucus consists of cells that line the sinus passages and has several important functions.
Mucus are very essential as it moistens and cleanses the nasal passages, traps foreign particles, stops them from filtering into the respiratory system, fights infection and humidifies the air. Most times we are not even aware that we swallow mucus.

Symptoms of Throat Mucus & Phlegm

The symptoms for this condition may range from:

  • Coughing of Mucus & Phlegm
  • Throat Congestion
  • Shortness of Breath

Though not always, a little mucus in throat usually doesn’t ruin your day. If you have a chronic problem you may be wondering what the problem is. You may have been told everything from allergies to reflux. While many people suffer from mucus build-up in throat from allergies, sometimes not even antihistamines clear up the problem.
The upper respiratory system is very close to the opening to your digestive system. Excess mucus in throat can either come up from stomach, or nose and sinuses. Even your throat tissues secret mucus to keep it moist. But about persistently excessive mucus in throat, we are going to look on the causes and ways in which they can be controlled.

Excess Mucus in Throat Causes

Throat mucus, or phlegm, can be a result of allergies or a sore throat, but there are numerous reasons for throat mucus, revealing what is going on inside your body. Even when you are healthy, your body is constantly producing mucus. Most of the time, this mucus drips down the back of your throat without you noticing. But during times of illness, that mucus can clog your throat.
Your body doesn’t necessarily produce more mucus when you’re sick, but the consistency of the mucus changes so you begin to notice it. There are many factors that can change the consistency of mucus, like allergies or milk consumption for some people.

Causes of mucus in throat

A thick mucus that may form in your throat simplifies a condition in the digestive system or respiratory system. Here are some of the causes of excessive mucus in the throat:
Post-nasal drip
This is when mucus travels from the back of the nose down the throat. If post-nasal drip occurs after a meal, it could be a result of an allergy, sinusitis, or vasomotor rhinitis.
Cold or flu

Mucus thickens when an infection is in the body, like a cold or flu. Changes in mucus colour can signal a cold or flu as well.
Pregnancy
Congestion, coughing, and sneezing are common during pregnancy along with other morning sickness symptoms. Oestrogen is to blame for mucus in throat during pregnancy.
Seasonal allergies
Something you’re allergic to can change your mucus levels, but the use of antihistamines or the removal of the allergen will make it go away.
Acute bronchitis
This is type of bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes and is usually caused by a viral infection or sometimes a bacterial infection. Acute bronchitis can be somehow contagious.
Croup: This occurs when the voice box and windpipe widen as a result of a virus.
Epiglottitis: This is a rare, life-threatening condition caused by a viral infection.
Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx caused by a virus.
Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx caused by a bacterial infection.
Pneumonia: Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection.
Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses due to either a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.
Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the tonsils caused by an infection.
Tuberculosis: Serious infection of the lungs and other organs.
Other causes: Strep throat, mononucleosis, smoking, air pollution, chemical inhalants, and anxiety.
Foods
Unfortunately, some foods can cause throat mucus, and if you are already dealing with throat mucus, the last thing you want to do is add to the problem. Milk and milk products like yogurt, cottage cheese and butter, cause excess mucus in the throat. These items carry protein molecules called casein that increases secretions of mucus and is difficult to digest.
Along with milk products, caffeine, sugar, salt, non- herbal teas, all create excess mucus. Soy is one of the most mucus making plant foods there is. Those who give up meats and dairy and switch to soy products, have a greater risk of creating an unhealthy mucus build up in the body.
Some of the throat disorders such as tonsillitis, strep throat, catarrh, laryngitis often have symptoms of mucus in the throat. Viral infections such as chicken pox, measles, mononucleosis, whooping cough or croup may also cause throat mucus.
If the throat is irritated by cigarette smoke, polluted air or chemical fumes, mucus can also settle on the lining of the throat and nasal lining. Throat mucus also causes bad breath because it contains high protein content and produces anaerobic bacteria.
Symptoms that can occur with throat mucus
You can experience other accompanying symptoms depending on the cause of the mucus in throat. Usually, mucus in throat is a result of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. The symptoms may include fever, chills, congestion, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes, headache, and difficulty breathing.
Symptoms of throat mucus alone are phlegm, throat congestion, shortness of breath, and coughing out mucus and phlegm.
Foods that relieve or cause excessive mucus in throat
Some foods can contribute to throat mucus and other foods can help relieve it. Although every person is different and may have their own unique triggers, here are some of the common foods to avoid with mucus in the throat, and foods to enjoy as they can help reduce mucus:

  • Dairy products like milk, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese
  • High-fat red meat and processed meat
  • Gluten products – especially in people with a gluten allergy
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine – particularly the variety found in soda
  • Fruits and vegetables, like bananas, cabbage, and potatoes
  • Foods that relieve mucus:
  • Fruits and vegetables like garlic, celery, onions, parsley, winter squash, berries, oranges, greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and peppers
  • Chicken soup
  • Fatty fish like tuna, salmon, lake trout, and herring
  • Olive oil

Excessive mucus in throat every morning

Waking up each day with mucus in throat may be due to a few different reasons. For starters, mucus in throat in the morning could be a result of an infection or allergy, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or it could be a sign of congestive heart failure.
Congestive heart failure, can cause daily mucus in throat each morning, because the heart has a difficult time moving high amounts of blood through the body, causing fluid build-up. This fluid accumulates in the lungs, especially when a person is lying flat throughout the night. The result is a wet cough in the morning or throughout the night.
Excessive mucus in throat after eating
There are numerous reasons for experiencing mucus in throat after eating, including food allergies, post-nasal drip, medication side effects, chronic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, being a heavy smoker, and viral or bacterial infections.
In order to reduce mucus in throat after a meal, increase your fluid intake to help loosen up mucus, inhale steam after your meal, avoid foods you’re allergic to, gargle lukewarm water with salt, drink herbal tea after the meal, and stop smoking or begin to cut back.

Severe excessive mucus in throat conditions

The colour of your mucus in throat is a strong indicator of how severe the health problem is. Generally, thin and clear is the safest, and other colours could indicate a particular infection. Here are some guidelines to know when mucus in throat is a serious issue.
Thin and clear: Sign of cold or allergies, it could also be a sign of medication side effect or a reaction to certain food.
Thick and coloured: If mucus is very thick, it could be a sign of dryness, which can be caused by heating systems. If mucus appears green, yellow, or brownish, it could indicate a bacterial infection.
Rattling sound in chest: If mucus is dripping down to your chest, it may be difficult to swallow and may cause a “rattling” sound, which may be pointing to pneumonia.
Burning sensation: If mucus is burning, it could be a result of a heartburn or GERD.
Paying attention to your mucus can help offer insights into your overall health and give you indications on how to treat the mucus.

How to get rid of Thick Mucus in Throat

As horrible as thick, sticky mucus is, it actually serves a vital function in the body. Mucus lines the mouth, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and gastrointestinal tract helping to lubricate these surfaces, while acting as a filter to remove unwanted substances before they enter the body. It also contains antibodies and enzymes that help the body recognize and kill invaders like bacteria and viruses.
However, nipping the underlying cause of excessive mucus in throat is vital to normalize production, these natural remedies will help you manage your streaming or stuffy nose and congested chest in the meantime.
Blow Your Nose Properly
Probably the most obvious way to clear mucus from the nasal passages is to blow your nose! You have to make sure you do it correctly or it may cause more problems, according to some experts. Clear only one nostril at a time, blowing gently. (Blowing too hard can cause small openings in the sinus areas and can force irritants and bacteria further back into the body.)
Drink Warm Liquids
Always make sure to stay hydrated with warm drinks while you’re under the weather. Not only will they provide you with some degree of comfort, but warm water, herbal teas and lemon water help to loosen the mucus in the chest and nasal passages.
When researchers tested the effects of hot and cold drinks on flu sufferers, they found that those who drank a hot beverage experienced ‘immediate and sustained relief from symptoms of runny nose’ as well as a reduction in coughing, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness and tiredness.
Inhale Steam
Used to enhance health for thousands of years, steam therapy is both effective and completely safe. Breathing in steam serves to loosen up the mucus and phlegm so they can move out of your body more quickly. To make a steam bowl, boil water in a pot or kettle and transfer immediately to a large, heat proof bowl. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, positioning the towel to keep in as much steam as possible. Breathe in the vapours for up to ten minutes.
If this seems like too much effort, a steamy shower twice a day will also provide some relief.
Raise the Humidity
Adding extra moisture to the air in your home will help to thin out mucus in the nose and phlegm in the chest. This can be achieved by using either a warm-mist or a cool-mist humidifier although the cool-mist is a better option. Firstly, it’s safer, particularly if you have children or pets; and is more cost-effective, using less energy than the warm-mist version.
Keeping the machine clean is of the utmost importance though, as the growth of bacteria and moulds will only serve to exacerbate your condition, and contribute to further mucus formation. Wipe it down every day with a solution of vinegar, water and tea tree oil.
Apply Warm Compresses
To help loosen mucus further, allowing it to drain out of the nose, place a warm compress on the affected areas. Simply wet a small towel with very warm water (or zap a damp washcloth in the microwave for 30 seconds). Lay this gently over the eyes, nose and cheeks and leave for three minutes.
Repeat this procedure two to six times a day until all the mucus has cleared.
Diffuse Essential Oils
With their strong aromas and antimicrobial properties, essential oils can be a powerful therapeutic tool when clearing away mucus and phlegm.
Some of the most potent mucus fighting oils include:

  • Eucalyptus– antiseptic, antiviral, and decongestant.
  • Tea tree– an effective antimicrobial, expectorant and antiseptic.
  • Peppermint– helps to open nasal passages.
  • Thyme – powerful antiseptic and great for colds, flu and chills.
  • Basil – an antiseptic that helps open nasal passages.
  • Rosemary– an antiseptic that helps open nasal passages.
  • Pine – decongestant and antimicrobial.
  • Lavender– antihistamine, antiseptic and antimicrobial.
  • Chamomile – relieves and soothes congestion.

Add a few drops of a single oil, or a blend of the above oils, to your diffuser or oil burner and allow them to waft through the room.
You could also take a steamy bath scented with the oils, or shake a few drops on a tissue and hold it in front of your nose, being careful to avoid contact with the skin. At night time, sprinkle some on your pillow to loosen mucus as you snooze – lavender is particularly effective as it also encourages a restful sleep.
Gargle
If the phlegm is especially concentrated in your throat, then gargling with salt and warm water can be helpful. This remedy creates a high-salt barrier which works to pull out fluids from the tissues in the throat area, helping to remove mucus, irritants and infections. You should also enjoy a noticeable reduction in inflammation, pain and mucus after gargling.
Dissolve a teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt (or sea salt) in a cup of hot water. Allow to cool slightly and then gargle with this solution. Repeat several times a day for continued relief.
Adjust Your Pillows
Sleeping with an elevated head is a great way to relieve congested nasal passages and enjoy a good night’s sleep – which is vital for helping your body deal with infection.
By sleeping this way, you’ll also be preventing the congestion from going to your lungs which can lead to an annoying and painful cough; and you should even experience relief from tinnitus – one of the side effects of a stuffy nose and head.
Some people may find sleeping with two pillows too uncomfortable. A good trick in this case is to place the additional pillow between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.
Limit Exposure to Irritants
A stuffy or runny nose can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues, which is why it’s important to become aware of your triggers and avoid them where possible.
For many people, that includes smoke – from cigarettes or open fires, strong chemical fumes, or sudden temperature changes. Other pollutants that contribute to mucus formation include exhaust fumes, smog, dust, pet dander and moulds.

Sticky Mucus in Throat won’t go away

Mucus in the throat that won’t go away or that you can’t get rid of as many people state is a common happening. Throat clearing and mucus in the throat that will not go away is associated with stomach acid coming up into the back of the throat, as many doctors may reveal.

Causes of mucus in throat that won’t go away

  • People with this form of acid reflux do not typically experience the typical reflux symptoms of indigestion and heartburn. The body has one protective mechanism to acid in the back of the throat, which is mucus. Therefore, that thick mucus in the throat that you experience and cause you problems to clear throat almost constantly in some cases is the one we are talking of.
  • Allergies such as sneezing, mucus running and dripping from nose and itching, can be automatically treated using allergy medication. By using these treatment you will not treat that thick protective mucus in the throat causing the need to clear the throat.

How to get rid of stubborn mucus in the back of the throat

Research shows that you can start by reducing having your meals three hours before bed and cutting down on highly acidic foods. If this fails adequately you can try an over the counter treatment until the symptoms resolve, and then continue to focus on dietary treatment measures to keep the reflux from happening.

What Clears up Sticky Mucus in Back of Throat

When a foreign body, say a virus or some allergen enters our nose, the body reacts back by producing antibodies. The mucoid secretion, which we see is a mixture of this allergen plus the antibody produced, contained in a thick sticky substance. As the allergic or infectious process gets alright, the mucoid snot also gradually go away. This is a normal process.
In some individual, excess of mucus is produced. Also, drainage may not be adequate. This leads to blocked sinuses and sticky throats.

Steps to clear away thick mucus

You need to clear this sticky phlegm. Following steps and a little change in diet may help you do so-

  • Salt water gargling, at least thrice a day would help clearing the phlegm. You need to do them regularly for 15 days to get results.
  • Drink a lot of water. A thick sticky mucous may imply that you are not sufficiently hydrated. Taking water would help in thinning of this Flem.
  • To open up your nostrils and sinuses, take steam inhalation. You may use Vicks vapour rub along with it. Do this before bedtime and when you get up. If required, repeat it in the daytime too. Try to breathe through the nose, if possible.
  • Make a habit of gently blowing off your nose in the morning.
  • Some food stuff aid in mucous formation. You may avoid them for some time. They are- fried stuff, refined foods, dairy food and heavy meals.
  • Fresh fruits would be beneficial for you. Add prune or apple juice.

More references

  1. Mucus build up in throat: http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Mucus-Buildup-in-Throat.html
  2. What is mucus: http://www.everydayhealth.com/mucus/guide/

Cut in Mouth: Turned White, How to Heal Faster

Your mouth is involved with very many activities ranging from speaking, chewing, digestion and even singing, as you may want the activities to be numerous. All these involves movement of the mouth and its minor organs – tongue, teeth etc. during these processes you may happen to bite or develop a cut in mouth.

I have a Cut in Mouth, what should I do?

These cuts may involve injuries to the lip, flap under the upper lip (frenulum), tongue, inner cheeks, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth (hard and soft palate), or back of the mouth (tonsils and throat)

Types of Mouth Injuries

  • Cuts of the tongue or inside of the cheeks (due to accidentally biting them during eating) are the most common mouth injury. Bites of the tongue rarely need sutures. Even if they gape open a little, if the edges come together when the tongue is quiet, the cut should heal quickly.
  • Cuts and bruises of the upper lip are usually due to falls. A tear of the piece of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum is very common and always heals without treatment. It may bleed again, however, every time you pull the lip out to look at the bleeding site.
  • Cuts of the lower lip are usually caused by catching it between the upper and lower teeth during a fall. Most of these cuts do not connect. These do not need treatment unless the outer cut is gaping.
  • Potentially serious mouth injuries are those to the tonsil, soft palate, or back of the throat (as from falling with a pencil or toothbrush in the mouth).

Canker sore is the name for a painful, open sore in the mouth that is medically known as aphthous ulcer. The sores are not contagious and are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in the mouth and gums. Canker sores may result from cut in mouth, viral infections, hormonal shifts, an abnormal immune system, or a diet low in nutrients.
Trauma in the mouth, or teeth, or on the lips may result to mouth ulcers and canker sores, which after the cut have been infected. Trauma related cuts may become inflamed, swell, and have potential to develop into mouth ulcer. Wrongly fit dentures are also known to cause cut in mouth and mouth redness. Any kind of trauma to the mouth, lips or tongue can as well cause mouth cuts which appear red as a result of inflammation and swelling around the site of the injury.
Cuts that appear in the mouth from hot or spicy foods, chewing tobacco or smoking can cause mouth ulcers as well. Mouth ulcers may also result from specific medications, such as chemotherapy. The underlying conditions that are common causes of mouth ulcers include deficiencies in certain nutrients and minerals and also hormonal imbalances.

What does it mean when a Cut in Mouth Turned White

White patches in the mouth are a common symptom of infection, inflammation, trauma, malignancy, and other underlying conditions and diseases. Cut that turn white usually result from pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, which inflame the lining of the mouth causing swelling, redness, and ulcer formation.
Ulcers most commonly occur on the inside of the mouth but may also occur on the tongue and lips, or in association with more generalized conditions, such as cancer. Allergic reactions to food and other substances may cause inflammation, swelling, and development of mouth white patches.
Trauma to the mouth, gums or teeth may result in mouth white patches. Trauma-related cuts become inflamed, swell, and have the potential develop into a mouth ulcer that is white in appearance.
White cuts or leukoplakia is a medical term for a precancerous condition that usually occurs on the tongue or lining of the cheek. This condition also appear as white cut in mouth and is caused by chronic irritation rather than infection. Leukoplakia itself is noncancerous but up to 20% of such patches will eventually develop cancer if left untreated
Chewing tobacco or smoking, particularly pipe smoking, can cause mouth white patches. Mouth white patches may result from specific medications, including chemotherapy. Underlying conditions that are common causes of mouth white patches include inflammatory bowel diseases, alcoholism, and cancer.
White cuts in the mouth may be associated with several other symptoms including:

  • Bad breath
  • Bleeding gums
  • Oval shaped sore
  • Raised, red lesions
  • Receding gums
  • Red spot or bump that develops into an open ulcer
  • Sore that heals without scarring in one to two weeks
  • Sore that may contain pus
  • Sore throat
  • Thickened or hardened areas
  • Tongue soreness
  • Ulcer with white or yellow centre

In other cases, a cut in mouth with white patches may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a serious condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, have mouth white patches along with other serious symptoms including:

  • Bleeding
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extreme difficulty eating or drinking
  • Headache
  • High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Pain not controlled with self-care measures
  • Recurring ulcers, with new ones developing before old ones heal
  • Swelling of throat or tongue
  • Unusually large mouth ulcers

Causes cut in mouth white patches

White cuts in the mouth result from infections caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi on the existing mouth injuries. Infections of the skin around the mouth, mucous membranes inside the mouth, gums, and tongue are common causes of mouth white patches.
Damage that occur in the mouth can be the result of chewing on the cheeks, excessive teeth brushing, trauma, or dentures that are not fitted properly. Each of these can cause inflammation, redness, and possibly white cuts on them in the mouth. Mouth white patches can also result from underlying conditions, such as cancer and gum disease.

How to Heal Cut in Mouth Faster

Cuts in mouth is something that may occur to anyone. This kind of injury can be as a result of hot foods and accidents. Although it may be very painful, cuts in mouth commonly heal without any medical treatments. A cut in mouth usually may heal within days, but during the process, you will definitely experience uncomfortable and painful eating and talking activities.

Healing cuts in mouth

The truth is that most cuts in the mouth will heal without specific medical treatments. However, there are some methods which can be done to speed up the healing process and to minimize the caused pain. These include the following:
Stop the bleeding
More often, cuts on the mouth lining which is caused by the teeth cause minor bleeding. Before treating the cut in mouth, this bleeding need to be stopped first. Some procedures can be done to do this. This include:

  • Rinse the mouth with water and gargle for several seconds, focusing on the bleeding area.
  • Give the bleeding area a sufficient pressure. You might need to let the mouth bleed, since this is the natural way done by the body to cleanse a wound.
  • Put an ice cube wrapped in a cloth onto the injured area. This will constrict the blood vessels and stop the bleeding. Do not apply the ice too long, though, as it may trigger burns.

Reducing pain
Injuries that occur in the mouth normally heal faster than other injuries located on the other parts of the body. However, this problem can cause an excruciating pain while eating, talking, or even opening the mouth. Thus, an important part of healing the mouth cuts will be reducing the caused pain. Some of the remedies that are proven to reduce pain caused by cuts in mouth are;

  • Avoiding salty, spicy, or dry foods which may irritate the cuts and make the pain worse. Eating soft foods during the healing process will be helpful in improving the condition.
  • Take in a lot of fluids, as it will keep the mouth lubricated. Dry mouth lining will worsen the pain, not to mention cause unpleasant odour.
  • Brush your teeth gently as it can help reducing the caused pain. Use soft-bristle toothbrush to prevent it from irritating the cut mouth lining.
  • Sucking an ice cube or applying it onto the injured area can be relieving. However, do not put the ice directly on the mouth lining as it may cause an ice burn. Instead, wrap it with a thin cloth first and apply it onto the cut afterwards.
  • Avoiding alcoholic and caffeinated drinks as it may aggravate the pain. Instead, drink a glass of warm water with additional drops of lemon or lime. Sufficient amount of water is also beneficial in reducing pain caused by cuts in mouth.

Promoting healing
Consuming more fruits and vegetables loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, which will promote faster healing of a cut in mouth. Oranges, mangos, grapes, or blueberries will give you the benefits of healing the wound properly and quickly.

  • Rinsing the mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash is also believed to kill infesting bacteria which may aggravate the cut. Do this twice a day, holding the mouthwash on the cut area to give a sharper effect.
  • Gargling the mouth with saline solution—or a cup of warm water added with a teaspoon of salt is also a good remedy for promoting healing in mouth cuts. Salt is a natural antiseptic which is going to cleanse the mouth lining as well as bacteria, which may inhibit healing.
  • Apply aloe Vera gel directly onto the cut to give a soothing effect and to heal the cut. You can also consume the aloe as a cocktail. This will give you an additional amount of vitamin E, which is necessary in wound healing.

Preventing cuts in mouth
Most frequently, cuts in mouth is caused by accidental bites on the mouth lining, which instantly causes injuries. Some other accidents, such as stroking a tooth brush onto the gum also often happen. Thus, to prevent your mouth from getting cut, be sure to do all the activities gently.
Stress is also known as a trigger that aggravates mouth injuries. Thus, it is important to control your stress level in order to promote faster healing for the mouth injuries.

How to Heal a Cut on your Gums

Cuts on the gums can sometimes be mistaken for dental infection. In fact, dental infection is caused by an infection inside the tooth, near the tooth root, while a cut on the gum is located on the gum itself, causing visible, painful inflammation. While dental infection is often triggered by bacteria infestation in tooth root, cuts on the gum are commonly caused by the accumulation of plaque built under the gum line and injuries on the gums.

How to treat gum infection from cuts at home

Dental infection needs close medical attention, since the problem does not only affect the tooth and it root, but may also influence the nerve system and thus, in severely bad cases, can be life-threatening. However, gum infection that result from cut in mouth, although may also be serious, can be self-treated at home with proper treatments and remedies. To treat gum infection at home:
Rinse your mouth to alleviate the pain
A cut in mouth gums is painful and may trigger tingling and throbbing sensation on the gum. To relieve this pain, rinse the mouth with saline solution made from a mixture of warm water and salt. You can also use herbal mouthwash and 3-percent hydrogen peroxide to rinse the mouth. While rinsing, pass on the inflamed gum and gargle the solution for several minutes to help kill the bacteria.
Make sure there is no food leftover on your teeth and the gum line
Foods that remain on gums may harden and develop into plaque around the teeth and the gum lines. If this plaque is accumulated and hardens, it causes irritation to the gum where it sits on. As a result, this area swells and pus-filled abscess may form which will require dental abscess treatment.
You have to always make sure you brush your teeth properly and thoroughly after meals so that there is no food left there. When brushing the already-inflamed gum, it is important to do it gently using soft-bristled toothbrush, so that it will not irritate the affected gum further.
Prevent the a cut in mouth from getting worse by avoiding sugary foods and drinks
Sugary foods and drinks will increase your tartar build-up, which may contribute to plaque formation. It is important to stop consuming sugary foods as it may aggravate the infection site. Replace these sugary drinks such as soda with a glass of warm peppermint tea. Peppermint is beneficial for bacteria killing and the warmth of the tea will alleviate the caused pain.
Improve red and inflamed gum with aloe Vera
Aloe Vera can be easily found and is affordable. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory agent that help brings down an inflammation. In addition, aloe Vera that is massaged over an infected gum will give a soothing effect that reduces caused pain.
Reduce pain and inflammation using warm compresses
Warm compresses also have a significant role in improving gum infection. Apply the compress on the infected gum and leave it for some minutes until the pain subsides and the inflamed gum becomes more tenderized. Warm compresses will promote blood circulation to the infection site and thus, improve its condition.
Prevent the infection from getting worse by not draining the discharge
In most cases, you are going to see pus-like discharge under an infected gum that develop from a cut in mouth and may be tempted to drain it. This will not eliminate the problem and instead, may aggravate the infected gum, making the inflammation worse. Bring down the inflammation by putting warm compresses on it, instead of attempting on draining the discharge.
Getting rid of formed ulcers on gum by applying clover oil
Clover oil is a good antibacterial, which also possesses antibacterial and pain killing characteristics. Thus, if you are developing ulcers on gum as a result of the infection, applying the oil can really help. Dab this oil onto the ulcers and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing your mouth with warm water. Repeat the treatment several times a day or whenever the pain comes.
Rinse the mouth with saline water after every meal
Food leftovers can possibly make the cut on gums infection worse. In order to avoid this, it is essential to rinse the teeth and gum with saline water after eating. This will get rid of food leftovers and bacteria from the mouth and thus, prevent the infection from getting worse.

How to Treat an Infected Cut in Mouth

Oral mucositis or esophagitis may also be called mouth sores as they result from infected cut in mouth. It can range in severity from a red, sore mouth and/or gums to very painful open sores, causing a patient to be unable to eat.
Patients receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck area or those receiving certain types of chemotherapy are at risk to develop mucositis.
Other causes of mucositis include infection, dehydration, poor mouth care, and oxygen therapy, excessive use of alcohol and/or tobacco, as they all cause mouth injuries and lack of protein in the diet.
This condition may result in several problems including pain, nutritional problems related to the inability to eat, and increased risk of infection due to open sores in the oral and throat mucosa (lining). It has a significant effect on the patient’s quality of life and can be dose limiting.

How Are Mouth Sores Treated?

Infected cuts in mouth generally may heal on their own although others may require treatment. Continuing to perform good mouth care can help speed the healing process along. If mouth pain is interfering with eating and swallowing, your oncologist may prescribe a mouth rinse, which temporarily numbs the mouth or an oral pain medication.
To add on that, if an infected cut in mouth result in weight loss from poor intake of food and fluids is a concern, you may be referred to a nutritionist. If necessary, your oncologist may decide to delay further treatments until the mouth sores have healed.

Reasons for a Cut in Mouth not Healing

Your mouth is a very sensitive area and you’ll soon be aware if you suffer a cut to your gums or other soft tissue like your tongue. However, it’s important to know that some cuts in your mouth may need to be diagnosed by the dentist to make sure you haven’t damaged any important structures.
A cut in mouth, also known as a laceration, generally happens in conjunction with other dental emergency situations, such as a knocked-out tooth or cracked or broken tooth.
When dealing with a cut in the mouth that don’t heal, it is very important to make sure that the bleeding from the wound is controlled. Uncontrolled bleeding may result in shock, which may cause death if not treated immediately.
Cuts in the mouth that do not go away are a sign of infection, which may signify a serious condition. The infection may range from a mild one to a more serious one like oral cancer. In a situation where bleeding is continuing, you may need to take steps to stop bleeding before you can reach medical attention.
For these kind of cuts in the mouth, you may need to go and see your dentist who will carry an examination to verify the underlying condition, and corrective treatment thereafter.
To control bleeding caused by dental trauma:

  • Wash your hands and put on a pair of non-latex medical gloves. You can usually find non-latex gloves in a first-Aid kit. If gloves are not available, wash your hands thoroughly.
  • Lay the person down and elevate their head. Doing this will help prevent an additional injury from fainting, and elevating the head should help slow the bleeding.
  • Gently clean debris from the area of the cut. Most cuts involving the inside of the mouth generally do not involve debris. If an object is stuck in the area of the cut, do not try to remove it.

Cut on Lip or Cold Sore? Turned White, inside Mouth, Corner, How to Heal, Treat, Home Remedies

Apart from adults, even children often get minor cuts, wounds, and lacerations to the mouth and lips while playing, climbing, or participating in sports activities. Most of these injuries can be handled at home with simple first-aid treatment. The gums, tongue, and lips have a rich blood supply. When cut on lip happen, these areas may bleed a lot.

First aid for superficial cuts and wounds

Recommendations that doctors may give for taking care of cuts and wounds include the following:

  • Calm your child and let him or her know you can help.
  • Apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage for several minutes to stop bleeding.
  • Wash your hands well.
  • If the wound is on the lips or outside area of the mouth, wash it well with soap and water. Do not scrub the wound. Remove any dirt particles from the area and let the water from the faucet run over it for several minutes. A dirty cut or scrape that is not well cleaned can cause scarring:
  • Apply an antiseptic lotion or cream.
  • Give your child an ice pop or ice cube to suck on to help reduce bleeding and swelling.
  • Check the area each day and keep it clean and dry.
  • Avoid blowing on the wound, as this can cause germs to grow.
  • Use a sunscreen (sun protection factor, or SPF, at least 15 or greater) on healed cuts and wounds to help prevent scarring.

If the wound is inside the mouth, rinse the area well with cool water for several minutes. Remove any dirt particles from the area:

  • Give your child an ice pop or ice cube to suck on to help reduce bleeding and swelling.
  • Check the area each day and keep it clean.

Even small cuts on lips may cause a noticeable difference in the border or outline of the lips. These wounds may need stitches to keep the borders even and reduce the possibility of scars. Cuts that happen in the corner of the mouth where the upper and lower lips come together have the potential for very severe bleeding.
Often cuts inside the mouth, even if they appear large, are left to heal spontaneously without the need for stitches.
Bruises, blisters, or swelling on the lips caused by trauma may be treated by sucking on ice pops or ice cubes or by applying a cold pack to the area every 1 to 2 hours for 10 to 15 minutes for the first 24 hours.
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  1. Cut on Tongue
  2. Cracked Corner of Mouth

Cut on Lip or Cold Sore

Cuts and canker sores are very much different from cold sores. However, there are numerous persons who do not know this and usually assume them to be the same. There are several differentiating features that can help a person tell the two apart. If you are not sure about whether or not you have a cut, canker sore or cold sore, it’s best to speak with a doctor to get confirmation. However, here are some ways to distinguish between cuts and cold sores:

  • Canker sores are located inside the mouth, on the gums or inner cheek. 

A canker sore, while painful is not something that is contagious. They can be caused by different factors such as stress, hormones, poor diet, or even food allergies. In appearance, canker sores are either yellow or white with a red centre.
They usually go away without the need of medication and no one is in danger of catching any type of virus if you kiss or share food. Another thing to take note, canker sores rarely form within the mouth and usually form on the lip or near it.

  • Cuts usually occur on the lips or mouth area and can have several causes but they are not to be mistaken for cold sores.

Sometimes when lips are incredibly dry, you can get cuts or something known as split lips. It is not a very pretty look but with some care, time, and patience these cut on lip will heal.
Split lips are caused by outside elements and also due to lack of hydration. Drink plenty of water and make sure to invest in a lip balm that will protect your lips against the cold, wind, or dry air. If dry lips that are causing these cuts and lacerations persist, speak with your doctor to make sure this isn’t an effect of something else.

  • Cold sores or fever blisters are associated with the herpes simplex virus.

They have a very different appearance compared to a cut on lip. The cold sore looks like a red dot on the lip area but if you look closely they are usually groups of red, fluid-filled blisters. These blisters can break, leak, and scab over. Unlike cuts and canker sores, cold sores are contagious and contain the herpes virus.
So skin-to-skin contact with an active cold sore can usually spread the virus to another person. Sometimes cold sores come with symptoms as well. There may be pain at the affected area, fever, sore throat, or scabbing of the blister. You must remember that the herpes virus is not curable but is most definitely manageable.
Conclusion
Therefore, whether you have a cut, canker sore, or cold sore, these can often be treated with over the counter ointments, creams, and gels. If you find yourself experiencing a ton of pain or whatever you have on your lip is taking a long time to heal and go away, it may be time to speak with a doctor to get more powerful medication.

How to Heal a Cut Lip inside Mouth

The person should be checked for associated injuries such as problems breathing or swallowing, facial fractures, loose or missing teeth, or more serious tissue loss. Patients should receive a tetanus vaccine if their tetanus shot is not up-to-date. Severe mouth wounds should be treated at a trauma centre by a surgeon.
Very often, treatments include observation for many wounds and do not involve the vermilion border (the cosmetic line that marks the border of the lips on the face). However, lacerations that bleed for more than 15 minutes after holding pressure may require stitches.
For those cuts inside the mouth may require antibiotics. You may visit a chemist or your doctor who will advise on the best medications for your case. Many at times, those cuts inside mouth will heal on their own unless they are infected.

Cut on Lip Turned White

Depending on several factors, the recovery speed of wounds might differ from one person to another. As well as the steps of the recovery, some people might have a wound or scratch from initial bleeding phase and after being cured, moving on to the a reddish brown colour of scab which after that usually be followed by total recovery of the skin may be within a week.
However, some people have to undergo a phase where their cut on lip skin around the area of the wound or even in the middle if the wound turns to pale white colour. Now, what is that white scab and how to avoid or cure it? Basically, reading the answers of those two questions will also answer your question, why is wound turning white?

What is the white scab on cut on lip and how to take care of it?

Scab is basically a natural product that our body produces to protect the wound, however different type of treatments that a person uses might cause the wound has a white scab or even a slightly gooey white scab. Your condition and immune system can also be the cause of the presence of white scab.
Trapped moisture is a very common reason of white scab, other than that, extreme exposure of thick ointment could also be the reason for people who live then but also nowadays, allergic reaction and skin infection are some other reasons that can cause a more serious effect, and the last one probably is hypopigmentation.
The moisture is often caused by high level of water in your body or being in contact with your body. People who usually let the wound being indirectly rinsed by water during shower have the highest risk of getting a white scab because of trapped moisture.

How to Heal a Cut on Lip Corner

Cracks in the corners of the mouth can turn eating, drinking or smiling into a painful chore. This inflammatory condition, called angular chelitis, doesn’t have one single cause. The cracks typically go away on their own, but you can help them heal faster by treating your lips with a home remedy.

Causes of cracked lips

Angular chelitis and chapped lips are commonly caused by dry, cold weather. Sometimes, though, the cracks can be a symptom of a health condition. Certain products, such as lipstick or toothpaste, can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Angular chelitis is also an indicator of B-vitamin deficiencies, anaemia caused by iron deficiency or a yeast, strep or staph infection.
If the cracks or sores on your lips become more painful or swollen after a week of home treatment, see a doctor, who may need to treat the problem with an antibiotic or antifungal medication. In these cases, home remedies can ease irritation and pain, but they’re unlikely to make the problem go away.
Home Treatments

  • Use of lip balms and ointments on cut on lips that contain vitamin E, lanolin and Shea butter soothe painful cracks and sores. If you don’t have any lip balm, petroleum jelly also works. Avoid products that contain eucalyptus, cinnamon, menthol or camphor — they can make irritation worse.
  • Honey lubricates lips and speeds up healing. Smear a dab of honey on cracked lips before bed and then let your skin absorb it overnight.
  • Yogurt that contains live active cultures, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, may help as well. Apply some plain yogurt to the cracked area. Then put a spoonful in your mouth and swish it around before swallowing in case your cracks are caused by yeast.

Fixing the cracks at the corners
Chronic yeast infections may cause only minor discomfort while acute infections can affect the whole mouth and throat. In either case, they can be treated with a course of oral or topical antifungal (yeast) medication. NY statin may be used as a troche (a small medicated lozenge designed to dissolve) that is rinsed with and then swallowed so that it works in the mouth and throughout the body.
Antifungal ointments can also be applied liberally to the corners of the mouth several times a day to clear infection. They may be used in combination with a steroid ointment to control redness and inflammation, as well as zinc oxide paste or ointment, which is a barrier (skin) repair agent that has antifungal properties.
If infection arises from inside the mouth, it is likely to recur if only the corners of the mouth are treated. Chlorhexidine rinses can also be used to treat minor oral yeast infections. It is also effective for cleaning and scrubbing dentures; however, it is important to leave them out at night.

Cut Lip Treatment Home Remedies

A cut on lip can be a small surface wound or a deep gash. If it’s a deep gash, then do visit a doctor to check if you need stitches. However, if it is not, then you might just need to give the wound some care and use some medicines or home remedies for relief. Here are some home remedy ideas to help you treat cut and chapped lips.

  • If you have a cut on your lip, it is very important to keep the infection at bay. Tea tree oil is known for its antimicrobial agent and is very effective against fungi and bacteria. Apply some tea tree oil on your lips to reduce the inflammation and safeguard the wound against bacteria.
  • You might also like to drink tea brewed with feverfew and ginger to reduce the inflammation. Drink this tea thrice a day.
  • Cut on lips because they are chapped, keep yourself well-hydrated. Drink water regularly through the day as this keeps you, your lips and body well hydrated.
  • When you buy a lip balm, look for hydrating ingredients such as coconut oil, jojoba, almond, Shea butter, beeswax and vitamin E. You can also use petroleum jelly. If you have sensitive skin, then do not use camphor-based lip balms as these can cause irritation.
  • You might want to use a humidifier to add some moisture to dry indoor air.
  • You must also check your diet to see if you are getting enough essential fatty acids, iron, and B vitamins. A deficiency in any of these can cause cracking of lip corners and scaling of lips. Consult a doctor and take a multivitamin.
  • If you have cuts and chapped lips, then check to find out if it’s been caused by allergy to lipstick dyes.
  • You can also hydrate your lips by dabbing a cool wet cloth over your lips. You can seal in the moisture by applying a lip balm. Apply some every few hours when your lips are dry and chapped. Don’t wait for your lips to crack and for cuts to develop before reaching for that lip balm. You can also use a balm or cream with spa to protect your lips from sun damage.
  • Don’t lick or bite your lips.

The cut on lips or other herpes symptoms can be only treated by the use of medications specially designed to suppress the herpes virus. A herpes sore is a cut on the lip that won’t heal with the help of home remedies for regular cuts and scrapes.
Cuts on lips due to herpes can keep coming back and causing you a lot of grief. Since the virus cannot be eliminated completely from the body, the symptoms can keep showing after brief periods of remittance.
If the cracked and chapped lips are caused simply due to environmental conditions, use a humidifier to add moisture to the dry indoor air. Also keep a check on your diet and include vitamin B, fatty acids, and iron in your diet.

How Long Does a Busted Lip Treatment Take to Heal

Busted lips are common problems that many people experience. Swollen lips do not only contribute to imperfect physical look, but may also cause itching and pain. A cut on lip and mouth can cause either one of or both lips to bleed or bust.

What contributes to a swollen lip?

Busted lips occur as a result of trauma to the tissues of the lip, which is triggered by inflammation or fluid build-up. Lip enlargement may affect the upper and lower lip on its outer and inner sides. These injuries can be minor and more severe, depending on the causes. Some of the most common triggers of busted lips, some of those are:
Bug bites and stings
They cause the body to naturally defend its parts from any kinds of chemical released by biting insects by triggering inflammation of certain tissues. Bug bites and stings are commonly harmless, and cut on lip caused by this factor can be healed by applying topical analgesic ointment.
Allergies
Some allergies causes watery eyes and sneezing, while some others can cause busted lips as a natural reaction of the immune system when the body has a contact with foreign allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, foods, and other kinds of allergens. Allergies are usually healed by taking prescribed antibiotics or keeping away from potential allergens.
Infection
Lip infection can be caused by some different risk factors. The most common infection to the lips is herpes virus infection. This kind of infection causes blisters to occur on the lips and around the mouth, causing itching, burning sensation, and inflammation.
Trauma
Another common cause of busted lips is trauma to the lips and mouth area. The trauma can be as a result by a hard contact between the lips and hard objects or surfaces. Punches and accidents, for instance, may cause either severely busted or bleeding lips.
Medications
The side effects of certain medications may contribute to busted or swollen lips, because the chemicals contained in these medications may cause its tissues to inflame.

How long does a busted lip need to go down?

Busted lips might be an embarrassing problem related to physical appearance. Yet there is natural method to heal busted lip, it also causes pain and discomfort which requires specific attention. Hence, people try to do various things to find out the cause of their busted lips to determine the length of required period for the busted lips to go down. In fact, this period is affected by some factors, such as:

  • The cause of the swelling.
  • The severity of busted area of the lips.
  • Taken or performed treatments.

However, some common busted lip phenomena will need variety of time length before it completely heals and goes down. This may include:

  • Busted lip from insect bite does not usually last long, since the chemical secreted by the biting insects will be combated by the immune system and thus, resulted in flattened busted lip. Normally, inflammation caused by the bite will last less than a day, especially when effective topical analgesic is involved.
  • Busted lip from an infection will take longer time to heal. With herpes, for example, someone may need three days to a week to completely find out flattened cut on lips.
  • The one from trauma might be the longest to heal, especially if it is severely busted and wounded, as the tissues and new cells take some time to regrow completely.
  • Swollen lips as a result of cosmetic surgery can heal after a long period, when the injected material is taken out or dissolved. However, it can also be quite permanent, as a prolonged reaction to these material.

Pain Behind Ear Causes: and Down Neck, Base of Skull, Bone, Earlobe, Throbbing, Stabbing, Get Rid

Truth that the ears are so close to the brain makes any kind of discomfort or sharp pain behind ear quite worrisome. That sharp pain from ears could a reason of things and you need to get it checked to understand which kind of pain it is. For instant, if the problem is associated with fever, then it could be an ear infection which needs to be immediately treated in order to prevent the infection from getting worse.

Pain behind Ear Meaning

The nerves that supply the area behind the ear are complicated and involves 5th (auriculotemporal), 7th (facial), 9th (glossopharyngeal) and 10th (vagus) cranial nerves. The area behind the ear is mostly from the C2 and C3 nerves, so diseases of the upper part of neck and spinal cord can produce symptoms here.
In patients who attend me, pain referred from the cervical spine is by far the most common cause. For instant, pain in the ear can come from almost anywhere in the head or neck. The 10th cranial nerve supplies the back (posterior) half of the external ear canal – the bit that is open to the outside.
Pain behind ear that is neurological in origin, is often intermittent and shooting – called neuralgic pain. If a nerve has been more permanently damaged, neuropathic pain can be burning or cold and often has a creepy or itchy quality to it.

Pain behind Ear Causes

The best thing to do in case you have a pain behind ear is to diagnose and treat the condition in order to ensure it doesn’t progress to something more severe and dangerous. Following is a list of some common causes and respective treatments of pain behind ears:
Otitis Media
This virus or bacteria ear infection that affects the air-filled space behind the eardrum containing the tiny vibrating bones. This condition is more common in children and can lead to sharp pain behind ear due to the accumulation of fluids and inflammation in the middle ear.
Treatment: The condition gets resolved on its own. However, the treatment for otitis media involves monitoring the condition to ensure it doesn’t get worse and to manage pain if it gets unbearable. The doctor might prescribe antibiotics for severe cases as leaving it untreated could cause complications.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
These problems are another cause of sharp pain that emanates behind the ear. The temporomandibular joint is the joint located at the jaw which connects the temporal bone to the lower jawbone. These disorders are caused by jaw injury, whiplash injury or bruise.
Treatment
In some cases, the symptoms of this condition may disappear without treatment. But if your symptoms persist, your doctor may recommend some medications such as pain relievers, tricyclic antidepressants or muscle relaxants and therapies or surgery to repair or replace the joint.
Ceruminosis
The condition where there is excessive build-up of earwax in the ear canal is referred to as ceruminosis. It can cause shooting pain behind ear, itching in the ear and muffled hearing. It is caused by the excessive production of ear wax in your ears by the glands. Wax can also accumulate in the ear causing ceruminosis if the ear canal is too narrow.
There are also some cases where you might cause the condition by pushing ear wax deeper into the ear when using ear buds.
Treatment
The treatment mainly involve the removal of ear wax. A wax softening agent and special instruments such as cerumen spoon, suction device or forceps can be used to remove the ear wax. The removal should be done only by a doctor or a health care provider.
Blocked Eustachian Tube
That shooting pain behind your ear in the neck could be as a result of a blocked Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube can block due to flu, a cold, allergies, sinus infection or changes in pressure when flying or climbing a mountain. Sudden changes in altitude can cause ear barotrauma which has the same effect as a blocked Eustachian tube.
Treatment
This condition often gets better on its own.  A simple exercise can help to open the blocked tubes: close your mouth and hold your nose with hands, then gently blow your nose. Chewing gum and yawning also help.
Mastoiditis

Mastoid bone, located behind the ear, is made up of air spaces functioning as drainage for the middle ear. Mastoiditis occurs when a bacterial infection affecting the mastoid bone or the middle ear, or when a skin cyst at the centre of the ear blocks drainage. Symptoms associated with Mastoiditis include swollen ear lobe, lethargy, irritability, fever, redness or tenderness behind ear, bulging of the ear and drainage.
Treatment
The doctor will prescribe antibiotics and eardrops, and will schedule ear clean-up regularly. For severe cases, a surgical procedure may be required.
Swimmer’s Ear
As the name suggests, this problem is mostly caused by the remaining water in the ears after taking a swim. It affects the outer canal of the ear that connects the outside of the head and the eardrum. This condition can also be caused by damaging of the thin-layered skin lining the ear canal. The lining can be damaged by putting fingers or other objects like cotton swabs in the ear.
Treatment 
Sharp pain caused by this condition is treated with eardrops and OTC pain relievers, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, may be recommended. Immediate medical help is needed in order to prevent deterioration.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes are small glands located at the back of the ears, groin area and armpits. They usually swell due to viruses, inflammation, infection or even cancer.
Treatment: If the swelling is caused by infections, doctor will prescribe antibiotics. But a proper diagnosis is required to find the underlying cause of the swelling in order to eliminate the chances of any serious conditions. In any cases lymph nodes heal on their own as the underlying sickness go away
Oral Problem
Sharp pain behind ear cam as well be caused by a tooth infection or a tooth abscess as they cause the lymphatic glands to swell up.
Treatment: In order to treat the earache you will first need to treat the toothache. You can use medication to relieve pain for the time being, but you will need to visit a dentist as soon as possible to get the tooth checked out. Mouth rinses with warm salt-water are also helpful in temporarily relieving the symptoms.
Headache
Because the ear is located so close to the brain, it is quite common for the pain from the head to seep its way to the ears, but the causes are not always the same. Following are some common causes of headaches that are also associated with pain behind ear:

  • Ice-Pick Headache: This stabbing pain, although associated with the eyes, can also occur behind the ear too and only last for a very short time. There is also a variant of the pain, referred to as the epicrania fugax that only lasts for a split second and takes a zigzag pattern through the head.
  • Hemicranias Continua: This is a one-sided headache that can affect its counterpart ear and is often relieved with the help of strong-anti-inflammatory drugs like Indomethacin. It is a chronic pain that usually occurs on a regular basis. In most cases, no underlying cause is identified.
  • Cold-stimulus Headache, also known as ice-cream headache
  • Cervicogenic Headache
  • Primary Yawning Headache
  • Headache After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
  • Nummular Headache
  • Sudden Unilateral Neuralgiform headache with Conjunctival injection

Bell’s palsy
This is paralysis of the facial nerve associated with herpes virus reactivation. Pain behind ear is typical and can precede paralysis by a day or so. Sometimes the pain is very prominent and the facial weakness is mild. Facial paralysis and severe ear pain usually means that there is Herpes Zoster of the geniculate ganglion, called Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. There is a shingles rash in the ear canal.
Treatment: Antivirals and steroids can be given for Bell’s palsy and Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome. There are a couple of cases reported of pain behind the ear at the time of the menstrual period in women with previous Bell’s palsy.
Greater Auricular Neuralgia
This term has been used to describe pain in the territory of the greater auricular nerve, that is, pain behind the ear and below the ear. However, this territory matches the C2 territory and distinguishing this from ordinary cervicogenic headache can be difficult.
Treatment; this can be carried out by use of standard neuropathic pain preparations like Gabapentin.
Carotid Artery Dissection
Pain from the Carotid artery (one of the main arteries in the neck) can result to pain behind the ear over the mastoid bone. One series of 21 cases found that 3 people had mostly ear pains as a cause of their symptoms. Usually the pain of carotid artery dissection is a sudden onset pain, and can follow neck trauma.
Pain during Carotid Artery Angioplasty
One series identified ear pain in 3 out of 49 people undergoing an angioplasty procedure to the carotid artery.
Angina or Heart Attack
There are cases of pain behind ear as the only symptom of heart disease.  However, this pain is usually located in front of the ear, not behind the ear.  Heart disease presenting as ear pain is sometimes called ‘Cardiac Otalgia’.
Conclusion
As the most common cause of pain behind the ear is a neck-related problem, you should consider looking at what you can do to sort out your pain. Pain in or around the ear can be difficult to diagnose, as the nerve supply of the ear is complicated.

Pain behind Ear and Down Neck

A number of conditions can cause pain behind the ear and down the neck. According researchers, neck pain can travel to other parts of the body, such as the shoulder, arm and head. In some cases, pain in various head structures can send pain to the neck. Pain behind the ear is often associated with neck pain, as the tendons of many neck muscles insert into the mastoid process, a prominent bony bump just behind the ear.

Common causes of pain behind ear and down neck

Cervicogenic Headache
A cervicogenic headache or cervical headache, can cause pain behind the ear and down the neck. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by dysfunction in the muscles, joints, nerves or fascia in and around the cervical spine or neck, especially the upper cervical spine. Pain radiates from the neck and the back of the skull toward the front of the skull, causing a dull, aching sensation throughout the head, including behind the ears.
Possible causes of cervicogenic headache include:

  • Nerve compression between the vertebrae or spinal bones
  • Excessive tenderness in the neck tissues due to trigger points–hyper-irritable nodules or knots within a tight band of muscle
  • Reduced neck range of motion or a stiff neck.

Most cervicogenic headaches respond well to conservative care methods, such as chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, acupuncture and postural retraining exercises.
Mastoiditis conditions
Mastoiditis can cause pain behind ear and down the neck as well. MedlinePlus states that Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone of the skull, which is located directly behind the pinna or the outside portion of the ear. The most common cause of Mastoiditis is a middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media.
The infection can spread from the ear to the mastoid bone, causing infected materials to accumulate within the mastoid air cells like structures within the mastoid bone. Infection of the mastoid air cells can cause destruction and degeneration of the bony tissue that composes this part of the skull.
Mastoiditis affects children more than adults. Common signs and symptoms associated with Mastoiditis include:

  • Head and neck discomfort,
  • pain and swelling behind the ear,
  • ear drainage,
  • fever, headache,
  • Hearing loss and redness over the affected area.

Whiplash
This condition can cause pain behind the ear and down the neck too. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, whiplash is a collection of symptoms that occur following a rapid flexion and extension injury of the neck. The most common cause of whiplash is a rear-end motor vehicle accident.
Whiplash symptoms range from mild to severe. Moderate or severe cases usually involve extensive soft tissue damage to various neck structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerve roots–spinal cord offshoots.
Common signs and symptoms associated with whiplash include:

  • neck pain and stiffness,
  • pain behind ears,
  • neck muscle strains, neck ligament sprains,
  • headache, dizziness, shoulder pain, back pain, memory loss, an inability to concentrate, irritability, fatigue, sleeping problems and depression.

The NINDS states that, although most people who suffer a whiplash injury recover within three months, some people may experience residual symptoms that last much longer.

Pain behind Base of Skull

Occipital neuralgia is a condition in which the nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp, called the occipital nerves, are inflamed or injured. You might feel pain in the back of your head or the base of your skull if you have this problem.
Most people can confuse this condition with a migraine or other types of headaches, because the symptoms can be similar. But treatments for those conditions are very different, so it’s important to see your doctor to get the right diagnosis.
Symptoms
These can range from intense pain that feels like a sharp, jabbing, electric shock in the back of the head and neck. Other symptoms include:

  • Aching, burning, and throbbing pain that typically starts at the base of the head and goes to the scalp
  • Pain on one or both sides of the head
  • Pain behind the eye
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Tender scalp
  • Pain when you move your neckBottom of Form

Pain on Bone behind Ear

Mastoiditis usually is a bacterial infection of the mastoid bone. The mastoid bone, which sits behind the ear, consists of air spaces that help drain the middle ear. When the mastoid cells become infected or inflamed, often as a result of an unresolved middle ear infection, mastoiditis can develop.
In acute mastoiditis, infection may spread outside of the mastoid bone and cause serious health complications. Mastoiditis typically affects children, but adults can also be affected.
Some people have chronic mastoiditis, an ongoing infection of the middle ear and mastoid that causes persistent drainage from the ear.

Stabbing Pain behind Earlobe

If you have ever felt a sharp stinging pain in and around your earlobe, it is better you know it could be a sign of an underlying ailment. If the pain is accompanied by fever, it could be a serious ear infection. You may have to undergo several tests depending on the severity of the pain and how long you have had it. This is the only way to determine the underlying cause.
It is also important to watch out for the accompanying symptoms that may be a sign of a serious infection. It is also important to get immediate medical attention. This will prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body. The fact that the ears are so close to the brain makes the sharp pain behind ear very dangerous.

How to Get Rid of Throbbing Pain behind Ear

When it comes to ear, they are sensitive and one of the delicate part of the body. Any infection or underlying condition can cause a lot of pain. A throbbing ear is one of the first few symptoms of an infection. The pain may worsen when you touch your ear, and this could be due to the presence of excess fluids in the ear.
What causes of a throbbing ear pain
The easiest way to get rid of your pain behind ear is by finding the source of the problem. The pain could be due to fluid behind the eardrum, wax build up, inner ear infection, or pulsating tinnitus.
Many at times, earaches or throbbing is experienced is when fluid collects in your ear and causes imbalance. While the use of ear buds or Q-tips is controversial, make sure you visit a doctor for regular cleaning of the wax. A build-up of wax could not only lead to pain and throbbing but also may worsen into an infection.
If you have an inner ear infection, there will considerable pain, and the throbbing will be felt deep inside your ear. The inner ear is a small area, and so swelling of blood vessels and nerves due to infections causes the throbbing sensation. A doctor can treat this condition with antibiotics.
Pulsating tinnitus is a very irritating condition where you can hear your ears ringing or the sound of your heartbeat. The throbbing pulse in the ear is due to the blood flow. This mostly occurs when there is a swollen or damaged tissue in the Eustachian tube located behind the eardrum.
How to relieve a throbbing pain behind ear
At the first sign of ear pain, make sure you go to a doctor; the earlier you get the required treatment, the better it will be for you. Getting treatment for a throbbing ear and pain from a doctor is advisable as you could worsen the condition by trying to cure it by yourself.
To add on that, there are numerous home remedies that you could try out. This may include the following:

  • Increase your Vitamin C intake as it helps in building your immune system and to fight infections off better. Include vitamin C-rich foods like oranges and other citrus fruits in your diet.
  • You can use some oils like mustard and olive oil that help with soothing the pain and to soften the wax, but be careful when using these oils as ear drops.
  • A warm pack of water placed over your ear could give you some much needed relief.
  • Ginger and garlic juice are also known to be good pain relievers.
  • If you are unsure of the safety of home remedies consult your doctor who will recommend what is suitable for your ear.

More references

  1. Sharp pain behind your ears: http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Sharp-Pain-Behind-Ear.html
  2. What causes pain on the back of the ears: http://www.healthline.com/health/headache-behind-ear#Overview1
  3. Pain behind the ear: https://www.severe-headache-expert.com/pain-behind-the-ear/
  4. Causes of pain behind ear and down the neck: http://www.livestrong.com/article/254123-causes-of-pain-behind-the-ear-and-down-the-neck/
  5. Occipital neuralgia: http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/occipital-neuralgia-symptoms-causes-treatments#1
Categories Ear

Crusty Ears Causes: White Crust in Ear Canal, Folds, Lobe, Piercing, Discharge, Wax, Behind, Get Rid

When one has crusty ears, this may result to discomforts and embarrassment. Having dry, crusty, flaky ears could mean a number of things. It may be something as simple like excess buildup of earwax or disease infection such as seborrheic dermatitis. When you have crusty ears and suspect that it may be as a result of some disease, see a doctor.
In other cases, it may be something you use that is causing some allergic reaction such as cleanser, lotion, toner, or shampoo. At other times, it may occur due to changes in weather and dryness of the skin around the ears.

Symptoms of flaky ears

Those ears that are crusty caused due to ear rashes are often similar to skin rashes affecting other areas of the body. Some of the signs and symptoms that may accompany crusty ears are listed below:

  • The affected skin on the ear may experience blistering, spots, grainy lumps, or tiny bumps development especially behind the ears. The skin rashes may occasionally be full of fluids, resulting in irritation, itchiness, and pain.
  • Formation of pimple-like growths may also appear on the area. Such growths may multiply over time.
  • Also a swelling or inflammation of the rash area may form. The skin behind the ears may become reddish or pinkish in colour.
  • When crusty ears is accompanied by vomiting, fever, etc. along with skin rashes, then it may be an indication of some underlying health disorder which may need to be addressed by a doctor.

Crusty Ear Canal Causes

When you have a dry skin in ear area, it is nothing anyone would want to have especially if the skin is itchy, flaky and crusty.  Here we are going to talk more about what causes itchy ears and dry skin in the ear canal. Flaky or crusty ears is not a life threatening condition, but living with the signs and symptoms can be a bother.
After carrying out more research on this, we have more information on what causes dry skin inside the ear canal. Read below to understand flaking in the ear better from what causes, what to do and what not to when your ear is itching, and finally treatment with home cures.
Causes of crusty ears
Some of the common causes and respective symptoms and treatments of crusty ears are listed below:
Varied infections
Crusty ears may result from bacterial, fungal, or viral infections of the skin on the ears. For example, improperly done ear piercings are at increased risk to developing bacterial infections. Patients with ear infections may experience itchiness, redness, and skin scaling.
Treatment
Bacterial and fungal infections are respectively treated with topical and/or oral antibiotics or antifungals. Maintaining good hygiene is also recommended.
Dermatitis
Contact or atopic dermatitis are often caused due to irritation or an allergic reaction to some chemicals. Patients may experience inflammation, itchiness, and redness.
Treatment
Crusty ears caused by dermatitis are treated with topical or oral drugs, antibiotics, or phototherapy. Home treatments include avoidance of harsh soaps, moisturizing the skin on a daily basis, wearing clothes that are light and made of soft fabrics, use of humidifiers, and using ice packs.
Seborrheic dermatitis
This is a dermatological condition cause dandruff-like white skin flaking and scaling. Along with flaky ears, especially on the back part of ear or ear creases, patients may experience itchiness, dry skin, and discomfort. The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not clear, but certain factors like stress, cold weather, malassezia yeast infection, Parkinson’s disease, and/or HIV/AIDS can trigger or aggravate it.
Treatment
This kind of disease is treatable but cannot be cured. Hence, patients tend to experience flare-ups at regular intervals. Treatment involves daily, careful, and through washing of the affected section of ear skin with medicated shampoos and soaps.
Eczema
Eczema is a persistent skin disorder usually seen by rashes, redness, itching, and inflammation of skin. A doctor may treat it with lifestyle changes and topical and oral medications.
Heat rash
This is a skin condition that is caused by blockage of sweat glands which causes moisture and sweat to get trapped under the skin. The affected person may experience the formation of tiny bumps on skin, itchy and crusty ears, flaking skin, and redness.
Treatment
This may involve keeping the skin dry which is the best treatment option. Use prickly heat powders, keep the skin moisturized and hydrated, use humidifiers, and follow other guidelines to prevent excessive sweating and exposure to heat. Severe heat rashes are treated with medications.
Psoriasis

This skin disorder is marked by irritation, itchiness, redness, abnormal patchy and flaking skin, and development of scaly white areas on the skin.
Treatment is focused on containing the rash and preventing infections. Topical and oral medications may be prescribed along with injections. Phototherapy may also be used in certain cases.
Measles
This viral infection is another cause of crusty ears. Patients may develop a fever along with skin rashes on the forehead and behind the ears; the rash occurs as patches of small, pinkish, flat spots.
Treatment
Medications are used for alleviation of pain and fever. Ear infections are treated with antibiotics. Home remedies include keeping hydrated, salt water gargling, sufficient rest, and cold compresses.
Bacterial meningitis
This is a serious condition that requires urgent medical care. One of the most common symptoms is the development of a purplish to reddish rash. Late treatment can increase the risk to development of life-threatening complications.
Treatment
The condition is treated with antibiotics, painkillers, and sedatives. Vaccines are the best way to prevent/avoid this cause of crusty ears.
Chickenpox
This contagious disease is marked by formation of itching distinctive blisters or sores that initially develop on the face, along with cough, fever, and headaches and can cause crusty ears as well.
Treatment
The infection is treated with antivirals and topical medications. Home remedies include increased intake of fluids, not scratching the blisters, maintenance of good hygiene, and use of anti-itch creams, etc. Vaccination is the best way to prevent crusty ears-causing chickenpox.
Folliculitis
This is infection of the hair follicles and is characterized by itching skin rashes on the ears, irritation, redness, and blister formation.
Treatment
As per the seriousness of the infection, crusty ears caused by folliculitis may be treated in varied ways including use of antifungals or antibiotics.
Middle ear infection
This condition is also called chronic otitis media, it is caused due to viral or bacterial infection and multiplication of the fluid that accumulates in the middle ear. Along with crusty ears and skin rash, patients may experience chills, fever, pus drainage, and ear fullness and pain.
Treatment
This is dependent on the symptoms and its severity. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed for fever and pain alleviation. Excess fluids may need to be drained via surgery. Sufficient hydration and rest can help the overall healing and recovery process.
Dry skin
This is whereby, loss of moisture from skin can cause crusty ears, itchiness, and scaling. Dryness of the skin on the ears may occur due to varied underlying conditions.
Treatment of dry skin is dependent on diagnosis of the underlying caused. Intake or water and fluids, moisturizing the skin, and use of OTC lotions and creams is suggested for alleviation of dry skin.
Otis Externa
Also called ‘swimmers ear,’ is the condition marked by inflammation of the outer ear and the ear canal. Patients may develop a skin rash at the back part of the ear, crusty ears, and itchiness.
Treatment
The condition is treated with antifungal medications, antibiotics, ear drops, and hot compresses, etc.

Crusty Behind Ears

Crusty ears is a symptom of some kind of skin rash or other underlying conditions that affect the ears, including the external and internal regions as well as the surrounding areas. Some of the common causes of flaky behind ears may range from environmental reaction to allergens that area harmful to the skin or diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis.
In case you are a victim of crusty ears, you may try some home remedies discussed below or if the case is serious, visit your skin doctor.

Crusty Ear Discharge

Your infected ear may start to ooze some smelly crusty discharge. This is really a symptom of your condition being severe. The crusty form of the discharge usually is due to the drying of the discharge, or it is a sign that the condition has taken sometime in your ear. It is very important to see your doctor in case you feel your ears being itchy as this may be the early signs of this condition.

Types of Ear Discharge

  • Pus or Cloudy Fluid. This is the most common type of ear discharge. The main cause is an ear infection. The drainage is from a torn eardrum. The eardrum ruptures in about 10% of bacterial ear infections.
  • Ear Tube Fluid Release. Children with frequent ear infections may get ventilation tubes put in. These help the middle ear drain its fluids and become dry. Sometimes, the ear tube gets plugged up. Normal fluids build up in the middle ear until the ear tube opens up again. This can cause some clear fluid drainage from the ear canal for a day.
  • Earwax. Earwax is light brown, dark brown, or orange brown in colour. If it gets wet, it can look like a discharge.
  • Blood. This follows an injury to the ear. Usually, it’s just a minor scratch of the lining of the ear canal.
  • Water. Bath water or tears can get in the ear canal. Seeing a clear “discharge” that happens once is likely this.
  • Ear Drops. The person who sees the discharge may not know someone else put in drops.
  • Swimmer’s Ear Discharge. Early symptoms are an itchy ear canal. Later symptoms include a whitish, watery discharge. Mainly occurs in swimmers and in the summer time.
  • Ear Canal Foreign Body (Object). Young children may put small objects in their ear canal. It can cause a low grade infection and pus coloured discharge. If the object was sharp, the discharge may have streaks of blood.

Crusty Ear Wax

A number of people think earwax is unsanitary, but surprisingly, your ears would be even dirtier without it. Earwax collects dirt, oils and dead skin cells as they make their way through your ear canal. At the end of the canal, the wax turns dry and flaky, then falls out of your ear by itself. If you have too much wax, though, you may want to remove it before it builds up.
Contrary to popular numerous believes, a cotton-tipped swab doesn’t help get out the flaky earwax. In fact, it may push wax further back into the ear canal adding more problems to your situation. You can try professional earwax removal kits to do it safely. Remove excess earwax safely to avoid harming your delicate ears.

How to remove crusty ears wax

Step 1
Soak a cotton ball with an over-the-counter ear drop solution. Or use baby oil, hydrogen peroxide, saline solution or mineral oil. Use water-based products to break up earwax and oil-based ones to soften the wax so it slides out easily.
Step 2
You have to do this while you tilt your head to one side so the opening of your ear faces up, then hold the cotton ball over your ear canal. Do not push the cotton ball into the canal. Hold your head in this position for about a minute. This allows the liquid to drip into your ear canal and loosen or break apart the wax.
Step 3
Tilt your head to the other side to allow the wax to drain out. Use a cloth or tissue to collect the liquid and wax as it comes out.
Step 4
If your ears still feel clogged, fill a bulb syringe with water and squirt some water into the ear canal to help remove any remaining wax.
Step 5
Repeat this process for the other ear, if necessary.
You have to be always careful while dealing with your ears to avoid causing problems to your eardrum. Also care must be taken as some of the crusty wax may go deep into the ear instead of coming out. A good way of doing it is buying a quality earwax removal tool/kit to help with the process.

White Crust in Ear Canal

Ear canal infection (otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal, and the passage leading from the external ear to the eardrum. The condition may develop when water, dirt or other debris gets into the ear canal. Since it is often associated with excess water in the ear canal, and frequently occurs in children and young adults who swim a great deal, the common name for this inflammation is “swimmer’s ear”.
Causes of otitis externa

  • It may be caused by excessive water exposure in the ear from swimming or even routine showering. When water pools in the ear canal, the skin becomes soggy and serves as a culture medium for bacteria. The moisture can cause the skin inside the ear canal to flake – a condition known as eczema. A break in the skin, which may result from scratching the persistent itch of the eczema, can allow bacteria or to invade the tissue of the ear canal and cause an infection.
  • Acute otitis externa is commonly caused by a bacterial infection caused by StreptococcusStaphylococcus, or Pseudomonastypes of bacteria.
  • Chronic otitis externa can be caused by a bacterial infection, but it is more likely to be caused by chronic dermatitis of the ear canal. People with chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis are more prone to outer ear infections.
  • Swimming in polluted water is a common cause of swimmer’s ear, especially if there is already inflammation or broken skin: the bacteria in the water find the moist, inflamed ear canal an ideal environment.
  • Hot and humid weather conditions promote the development of outer ear infections.
  • In most cases, more than one factor may be involved. For example, someone with eczema may subsequently develop black ear drainage. This would suggest an accompanying fungus.
  • Excessive and harsh cleaning of wax from the ears can lead to infection. Wax protects the ear canal from excess moisture and harbours beneficial bacteria. Removing this protective barrier – particularly with fingernails or other sharp objects that can scratch the skin – makes it easier for an infection to take hold.
  • Use of products such as bubble baths, shampoos, hair spray and hair dye can irritate the ear canal and lead to an outer ear infection.
  • Foreign objects are often placed in the ear by young children or enter the ear accidentally while an individual tries to clean or scratch the ear. Foreign objects such as hearing aids and ear buds can cause chronic irritation.
  • Insects may become trapped in the ear.
  • Chronic drainage from middle ear disease may infect the outer ear.
  • Tumours are a rare cause of outer ear infection.
  • Diabetes is often associated with a particularly severe form of otitis externa.

Crusty Ear Lobe Piercing

Ear piercing is the oldest form of body modification, with references dating back to the early history of mankind. Ear piercings also extend further than just the lobe. Today, we have industrials, rook, helix, inner, and outer conch, anti-tragus, orbital, and reverse lobe piercings.
After an ear piercing session, instead of healing of the wound, you may start developing crusty ears around the area of the pierce. This is mostly due to allergic reaction that may arise from the jewelry that was put in the hole after the process. For those with sensitive skin, you may just find yourself reacting to the trauma that occurred on your ear skin.

What to do to avoid crusty ear lobe piercing

  • Most piercers will recommend cleaning the jewellery and area around the jewellery with a mild soap while in the shower. Make sure to thoroughly rinse it. You do not want to leave any soap to irritate it.
  • You can, also, clean with saline. Soak a cotton ball, and hold it to the piercing for 10- 15 minutes, 2-3 times a day.
  • Try not to play with the jewellery unless you are cleaning it. The more you irritate it, the harder it will be to heal.
  • Do not over clean, as drying it out will, also, irritate it.
  • The average healing time for most ear piercings range from 6-10 weeks. Cartilage piercings take longer to heal.

How to Get Rid of Crusty Ears

The best treatment for dry skin inside ears will depend on the cause. In other words, what causes ears to itch is what needs to be addressed first in itching ears treatment. For example if your hearing aid is the one to blame for the itching in the ear, then having the mild checked and probably changed will solve the itching ear.
Dry scaly ears as a result of a skin condition will also cure once the specific skin condition is treated. It is advisable to see a dermatologist to prescribe the best treatment for ear eczema, ear psoriasis or dandruff in the ear.
It is important that you do not use cotton buds or q tips often on your crusty ears as you may strip them of natural lubrication. If wax build up is a real concern for you, it is safer to approach an ENT specialist who can carry out a professional clean up. He will also recommend how often you will need a clean-up.
Some people scratch their ears out of nervousness and anxiety. This may irritate the skin in the ear, or on the lobe and one may end up with some scabs if the scratching is frequent and vigorous. To avoid this, make a conscious effort to not scratch your ears, or poke objects into them.

Home remedies to cure dry skin inside ear

The following remedies will help to cure dry crusty ears.
Garlic and Olive Oil
By know the whole world knows garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic. In this remedy, we are relying on its antibacterial properties to combat dry skin in ears. Crush some garlic cloves and mix in a tablespoon of olive oil. Heat this mixture gently till you see it begin to bubble then leave to cool.
Use this remedy as natural ear drops for itchy ears by applying with a dropper inside the ear.
Olive Oil
In cases where the ear is not producing enough wax, you can use olive oil to act as the natural lubricant and ease the dryness. Apply two drops of pure olive oil using a dropper every time you feel the dryness.

Categories Ear

Itching in inner Ear: Deep Inside, Meaning, Superstition, Allergies, and Throat, Get Rid

My ears itch deep inside, what is the meaning? You might have chronically itchy ears simply because they’re highly sensitive. However, itchy ears can also indicate an underlying medical condition. By understanding some of the causes of itchy ears, you can determine how to find solution to your problem.

What are the symptoms of itchy ears?

Itching in ears can be irritating and bothersome. You may think that scratching will help. However, your ears will probably feel worse when you scratch. Infected, itchy ears can be accompanied by:

  • fever
  • swelling
  • drainage from the ear

Itchy Ears Meaning

Itchy ears can easily mean your ear is infected. The ear canal, ear lobe or the skin on the outer ear can become itchy and irritated. Your doctor can prescribe an external ointment to treat mild infections. You can also use essential oils for itchy ears.
The ear canal can appear to be normal on examination or there can be some scaling of skin. People aggravate the problem by use of things like bobby-pins, coat hangers as well as the tooth picks so as to scratch the ear. This may bring about abrasions to the ear canal.

Ear Itching Superstition

Here is one most of us have probably heard of, the itching ears. One pretty cool saying I found for this was “left for love, right for spite.” Supposedly if your ears are itching, no matter which one, it means someone is talking about you. I’ve also heard it put as, if your ears are burning, then someone’s talking about you.
But I’ve researched this further to find that if your left ear is itching it means either someone you love is talking about you, or whoever is talking about you is saying something nice. Then the right ear itching is just the opposite. This means someone you’re feuding with is talking about you, or they’re saying something bad about you. If your right ear is itching, you should lick your finger and wipe it on your ear lobe.
If a person has itchy ears it means that someone is talking about them as some people believe although it is not yet been proven by scientists. The belief further reveals that, it depends if the left or right ear is itching as to whether someone is being nice or bad.
If the right ear is itching it means someone is being unkind about the person with the itchy ear. If the left ear is itching then it means someone is being nice about the person with an itchy ear. There are lots of different superstitions about parts of the body itching. If the palm of right hand itches it means money will be received but if the left palm itches it means money will be paid out.

Itchy in Ear Causes

This ear condition can be caused by a variety of factors that range from mild irritation to bacterial infections. Knowing the potential causes of itching ears and seeking medical treatment in the event of unexplained or chronic symptoms can help to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment, allowing for healthy recovery and relief from uncomfortable itching.

Common causes of itchy ears

Swimmer’s Ear
This is an infection that develops in the outer ear canal. The infection occurs when moisture becomes trapped inside the ear and creates an optimal environment for bacteria. The condition usually develops after swimming in water bodies with dirty water, and it can also occur as a result of injuries to the skin of the ear canal that allow bacteria to enter and multiply.
Apart from itching ears, symptoms of swimmer’s ear include intense pain, especially when pulling on the ear lobe, discharge and muffled hearing. Swimmer’s ear is commonly treated with antibiotic ear drops.
Hearing Aid or Ear Bud Irritation
Hearing aids and ear buds can cause itching inside the ears in two different ways. First, the earpieces can cause fluid to build up inside the ears, which in turn can cause an allergic reaction. Second, ear buds or hearing aids that don’t fit properly can increase pressure inside the ear, leading to itching and irritation.
Excessive Ear Wax
Excess build-up of wax in the ear is another common condition that causes itching and discomfort in the ear canal. Additional symptoms of ear wax build-up include pressure and slightly muffled hearing in the ear canal.
Treatment: This condition is usually remedied by holding a warm compress against the ear to loosen the blockages. In certain cases, severely impacted ear wax must be removed by a medical professional.
Dry Skin
As per the name, dry skin inside the ears occurs when the ears do not produce an adequate amount of wax. When the skin of the ear canal is overly dry, itching ears and inflammation are common. Individuals with overly dry ears may also notice flaky, dry skin around the outside of the ear canal.
Treatment: The condition may require treatment with lubricating drops, so it is always important to seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Allergic Rhinitis
This is an upper respiratory condition that develops when the immune system overreacts to allergens such as pet dander, dust mites and plant pollens. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include itching ears, itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing and nasal congestion.
Treatment: Allergic rhinitis is most often treated with antihistamine medications and allergy shots that help the immune system and build up a tolerance to the allergens.
Ear canal dermatitis
This occurs when the skin in and around the ear canal becomes inflamed. This condition can be the result of an allergic reaction to products in or near your ear, such as personal care products or metal in earrings. Another type of dermatitis in the ear is called aural eczematoid dermatitis, which has unknown causes.
Otitis externa (outer ear infection)
Also known as the infection of the outer ear canal, otitis externa can cause ear pain as well as itching ears. It is usually almost the same as swimmer’s ear and is caused by inflammation, which is usually due to infection. It can lead to redness and swelling.
Psoriasis
This is a skin condition that causes a person to develop a red rash. Psoriasis can occur on visible parts of the body, such as arms or inside the ears.
Insufficient earwax
Not having sufficient ear wax or impacted ear wax can cause irritation in the ear canal. You can as well have to deal with itchy ears if the ears don’t produce enough amount of earwax. This normally causes dry itching ears and you can notice flaking skin dropping out of the ears.
Ear infection
An ear infection or also known as the otitis media can bring about severe pain and make the ears feel itchy. If you’re a swimmer, you’re likely to have this condition since the outer canal of the ear becomes infected, and the infection leads to a swelling and redness.
Other causes
There are several other factors that can as well lead to an itchy ears. This includes stress, medications, and also extreme heat or even cold. In very rare cases, severe itching ears can be an indication of a serious and life-threatening condition, so it is vital to set an appointment with the ENT specialist so as to rule out serious issues like anaphylaxis.
General treatment
In many cases, itching ears can be treated with natural remedies, but there is always the chance that an infection may be present, so it is best to consult with a medical professional to ensure the underlying cause is correctly diagnosed and the itching is dealt with appropriately.

Itchy inner Ear and Throat

There are some of the most common symptoms of allergies and similar disorders which include itchy throat and ears. Sore, itchy throat is one of the most common throat problems. If your throat itches, it is most likely that you will also have itching inside ear. The reason is that throat, ear and nasal passages are all connected from the inside.
Therefore, a problem with any one of these organs also affects the functioning of the others. There are several causes for itchy inner ear and throat. In this article, you will also find some effective remedies to treat the same.
Causes of itchy ear and throat
Allergies
These are the prime cause of itchy throat and ears. There are several nerves which end in the throat. These nerves are protected under the mucus lining inside the throat. Sometimes, the ends of the nerves get exposed due to dried mucus lining. As a result, allergens such as pollutants, certain foods irritate the nerve ends and cause itchy throat. The passage from throat to ears also itches due to same reason. Dairy products, peanuts are some common culprits for food allergies.
Dehydration
Dryness of the throat is mainly what causes itchy throat and itching ears. Dehydration is common during fever or infections, which leads to drying up of mucus lining in the throat. As a result, you experience itching inside the throat. Dehydration also occurs as a side effect of certain medications or a result of excessive smoking, tobacco chewing, besides, certain diseases such as AIDS
Infections
Certain viral and bacterial infections may lead to sore throat, which also itches at times. Bacteria called streptococcus is responsible for sore, strep throat. Viral infections usually manifest in the form of common cold and flu. Bacterial throat infections also contribute to the inflammation of the tonsils, larynx and pharynx and extend to the itching ears as well.
Treatment for Itchy Throat and Ears
Antihistamines
Antihistamines can effectively relieve the symptoms of itchy ears and throat. They can substantially reduce the allergic response to certain allergens. The antihistamines that are often used for treating this condition are diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine. Certain herbs like green tea and licorice also act as natural histamines.
Antibiotics
If itchy throat and ears is due to viral or bacterial infections, then antibiotics can prove to be of great help. Antibiotics are mostly used for treating bacterial infections.
Home Remedies
There are a number of home remedies that can effectively relieve the symptoms of itching ears and throat.

  • Gargling with warm salt water soothes itchy and sore throat. If you wish, you may also add a pinch of turmeric to this water. Turmeric is a natural disinfectant, thus gets rid of all types of infections.
  • Alternatively, you may also boil a cup of milk and add a pinch of turmeric to it. Drink this milk at night as it is a great remedy for sore throat and ear pain.
  • Eating a few cloves of garlic with honey also helps relieve the itchiness in throat.
  • Similarly, warm concoction of ginger, tea and honey also soothes the itchy throat.
  • Steam vaporizer gives an instant relief from itchy throat as it hydrates the throat and stimulates the mucus production, thereby reducing the itching.

Although, itchiness in ear and throat is not a serious problem, it can definitely affect your quality of life by making you irritable. Hence, you should certainly take measures to treat this condition.

Itchy Outer Ears

The ear is divided into three separate compartments: the inner, middle, and outer ear. The inner ear contains the balance organs and the nerves vital to hearing. The middle ear contains the bones that link the eardrum to the inner ear. The eardrum separates the middle and outer ears. The outer ear is simply the earlobe and a short tube leading to the eardrum.
Infection of the inner ear is called labyrinthitis. Infection of the middle ear is called otitis media. It can cause temporary hearing loss and can progress to the inner ear if ignored. Infection of the outer ear is called otitis externa or swimmer’s ear. It is rarely serious.
Outer ear infections can be acute or chronic lasting 3 or more months and are more common in children 7 to 12 years of age. Outer ear infections also more commonly affect people in warm and humid climates, people who swim, and people who use devices that protect hearing. This can be characterised by itching ear on the outside or earlobe, and sometimes crusty skin on the outer ear.

How to get Rid of Itching in Ear

A doctor will check to see if pulling the earlobe gently or pushing the tragus, the small flap of ear just in front of the canal opening, causes pain. If these symptoms are present, you can be pretty sure it’s an external infection and not otitis media. The doctor can often make the diagnosis simply by looking in the ear with an otoscope (an instrument for examining the ear).
A lab culture may be ordered to identify the particular organism only if the first treatment recommended by the doctor doesn’t seem to be working.
Treatment and Prevention

For most outer ear infections, your doctor will prescribe an eardrop that contains a combination of:

  • an acidic solution to make the ear canal a less favourable environment for bacteria to grow
  • a steroid to reduce swelling and inflammation
  • an antibiotic or antifungal

Your doctor will first clear the debris out of the ear canal. In severe cases, if the canal is partly closed by inflammation, a wick can be inserted to draw the eardrops in. The wick expands and holds the medication close to the infected area in the ear. When using eardrops, warm them to body temperature by holding the container in your hand for a few minutes before putting the drops in.
For severe infections, antibiotics taken by mouth will be prescribed. Treatment of malignant otitis externa requires several weeks of antibiotics given into a vein.
Home remedies
Conditions such as swimmer’s ear, bacterial inner ear infections and allergies that cause itching ear must often be treated with antibiotics, prescription ear drops, antihistamines or over-the-counter medications to avoid complications. Since itching ear canals can be caused by a variety of factors, it is always best to consult with a physician before engaging in any type of home remedy to treat the condition.
Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar
Relieve itching in the ear canals by applying a mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol to the affected areas with a cotton swab. This treatment should only be utilized once or twice daily; overuse of alcohol may cause the ear canal to dry out, which can lead to additional itchiness.
Warm Oil Drops
Homemade oil drops are a natural treatment that can often help to relieve itching in the ears. The most common oil drops used to treat itchiness in the ears include olive oil, mineral oil or vegetable oil. The oil should be warmed for approximately 15 to 20 minutes prior to application. Placing the entire oil bottle or container in a glass or bowl of warm water is the safest way to heat the oil.
Salt
Salt is one the most readily found home remedy for itchy ears.

  • Heat 1 cup of salt on a pan over low heat for 5 minutes. You can as well heat it in a microwave.
  • Place the hot salt on a clean cloth and seal the open end using a rubber band (or even tie a knot).
  • When it is very hot, lay down and then put the cloth on the itchy ears for 10 minutes.
  • Repeat the remedy daily as many times as required. The heat that is generated from the sock can assist to draw out fluid from the ear and thus relieve swelling and pain.

As an alternative, you can make use of a cup of rice in the same method that is described above.
Garlic
Garlic contains an antimicrobial properties and also the natural pain relieving properties, making it very effective in the treatment of itchy ears. There are a few methods that can garlic be used as a home treatment.

  • Make garlic oil by cooking about 2 garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons of the sesame oil or even the mustard oil until it turns black in colour. Strain the solution. When it is hot, use 2 drops of this oil in the infected ear as the ear drops.
  • Alternatively, you can as well boil 2 fresh garlic cloves in water for 5 minutes, crush them and add some small amount of salt. Put the mixture in a cloth and place it against the itchy ears.
  • Consuming 3 cloves of raw garlic daily also assists to speed up the healing process.

Basil
You can as well make use of the holy basil to treat minor earache and itchy ears. It can relieve ear pain and also reduce infection.

  • Crush 5 fresh holy basil leaves gently so as to extract the juice. Use the basil juice on or even around the infected ear. Avoid having the juice get in the ear canal.
  • You can as well mix 2 drops of holy basil oil with an equal amount of carrier oil such as the coconut oil. Soak a clean cotton ball in the mixture and slowly wipe the inside of the ear, around the outer edge and also behind the ear. Repeat the procedure twice daily.

Warm Compresses
When itching ear canals are caused by a build-up of ear wax, you may find relief by applying warm compresses or hot water bottles to the outer sides of the affected ears. The warmth from the compress or bottle can help to loosen the wax and make it easy to remove, which in turn can help relieve symptoms of itching. Wait until the wax is visible outside of the ear canal before removing it, as digging too deep into the ear may lead to injury or infection.
More references

  1. Causes of itchy ear: http://www.healthline.com/symptom/itchy-ear
  2. Superstition for itching ears: https://www.reference.com/world-view/superstition-itching-ears-c69ed0e2795490d3