An infection in the ear canal can cause pain and swelling. It may also tingle and
feel a little numb
.
Can an ear infection cause numbness in hands?
These symptoms are present in a wide variety of medical conditions, including ear infections, middle ear inflammation, and damage to nerves. Keep track of your symptoms. If you are concerned about your symptoms, then you should contact your doctor right away.
What are the side effects of an inner ear infection?
- Vertigo, a sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving around even when everything is still.
- Having trouble balancing or walking normally.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Problems with your hearing.
- Feeling like the ear is full or blocked.
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears.
Can an inner ear infection cause leg numbness?
Dizziness, nausea, and numbness or tingling can all be linked to different conditions, including middle ear infection and labyrinthitis as well as multiple other conditions. Numbness and tingling in the legs or arms can be a
sign of peripheral neuropathy
, a form of damage to the nerves.
Can infections cause numbness?
Numbness usually arises from a lack of blood supply to an area, nerve compression, or nerve damage. Numbness can also result from
infection
, inflammation, trauma, and other abnormal processes. Most cases of numbness are not due to life-threatening disorders, but it does occur with stroke and tumors.
How do you treat inner ear inflammation?
Over-the-counter pain relievers like
ibuprofen (Advil)
and acetaminophen (Tylenol) Applying a warm compress on the infected ear. Applying naturopathic ear drops with ginger, tea tree, or olive oil may help with pain and inflammation.
What happens if an inner ear infection goes untreated?
Untreated chronic ear infections can also
cause tears in the eardrum
. These tears will typically heal within a few days, though in more extreme cases, surgical repair might be required. The other primary risk of leaving an ear infection untreated is that the infection could spread beyond the ear.
What are the symptoms of nerve damage in the ear?
- Hearing loss, usually gradually worsening over months to years — although in rare cases sudden — and occurring on only one side or more severe on one side.
- Ringing (tinnitus) in the affected ear.
- Unsteadiness or loss of balance.
- Dizziness (vertigo)
- Facial numbness and weakness or loss of muscle movement.
What does it mean if my ear is numb?
If the sensory nerves in your ear get damaged, your ear may have trouble feeling sensation. This could result in a tingling feeling known as
paresthesia
, which could eventually become numbness.
Can ear infection cause tingling head?
An infection in the ear canal can cause pain and swelling. It may also
tingle
and feel a little numb. Infections in the rest of the ear may feel the same. Trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the nerves on one side of the face, may also cause a severe earache.
When should I worry about numbness?
Also seek emergency medical care if your numbness is accompanied by:
Weakness or paralysis
.
Confusion
.
Difficulty talking
.
Can a bacterial infection cause numbness?
Infection. Several viral and bacterial infections can damage your nerves and lead to numbing or stabbing pain in your hands and feet.
When should I worry about paresthesia?
You should consult your doctor if this sensation persists beyond a brief period of readjustment, or if it’s
causing significant pain or discomfort
. If you’re experiencing other symptoms along with paresthesia, you should speak with your doctor right away. These symptoms may be caused by a more serious condition.
How do you fix dizziness in the inner ear?
Medications, such as steroids, can reduce inner ear inflammation, and water pills can reduce fluid buildup. For people who have recurrent episodes of vertigo, a
physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation
can help.
How long does it take for a swollen ear canal to heal?
Sometimes a mild ear infection can clear up on its own in a couple of days. But it’s important to follow up with a healthcare professional if: the pain gets worse. the pain and swelling don’t go away after
1 to 2 days
.
What causes inner ear inflammation?
Inner ear infections cause certain parts of the inner ear to become inflamed. They commonly occur when a person has
a cold or the flu
or if a middle ear infection spreads into the inner ear. The main two types of inner ear infections are labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis
