Many people complain of ear burning sensations. Generally, the ear feels extremely hot and is warm to touch as well. Sometimes the hotness is accompanied by burning sensation. Many people also experience the ear turning into reddish color and might be painful to touch as well. This problem might affect one ear or both the ears. Many people fail to understand what does it mean when your ears are burning. It is because they cannot understand the sensation exactly. Some feel that smoke is coming out of the ears, while others can feel the ears getting warm and red.
What Causes Ear Burning Sensation?
If you think that the ear burning sensation is a stand-alone condition, you are mistaken. There are various factors which might lead to ear burning sensations. Each factor is different from the other and the treatment plan for the same varies from one another. There are times when the treatment plans overlap with one another. Mentioned below are some of the causes, which lead to ear burning sensation
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Change in Temperature:
Vasoconstriction is a condition which might happen in extremely cold temperatures. This helps in reducing the blood flow to any surface of the body. Vasoconstriction is common in nose, ears, and cheeks. People who are exposed to cold temperatures for various activities might experience redness of ears. This happens as the body tries to adjust to the weather conditions and regulates blood flow by itself.
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Sunburn:
Sunburn is a common cause for hot ear sensation. There are high chances that along with becoming warm and red, the skin on the ear might become flaky or crusty. Sun exposure is to be blamed for this condition.
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Infection in the Ears:
Ear infections can happen to both adults as well as children. The symptoms of the infections might vary from one another. The ear infection can be caused by virus or bacteria and mainly affect the middle ear. Common ear infection symptoms in adults include drainage from the ear, ear pain, and reduced hearing. Children might have a headache, fever, loss of balance, loss of appetite along with the above mentioned symptoms. When the infection becomes grave, it might lead to ear burning sensations.
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Emotions:
Reaction to some kind of emotional turmoil might lead to hot ears. The problem might be caused by anxiety, anger or embarrassment. Once your emotions are under control, the problem of ear burning sensation subsides.
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Red Ear Syndrome:
Burning pain in the ear can be felt in red ear syndrome. It is a rare condition, which might be caused by daily activities like neck movements, stress, exertion, touch and so on. Either one ear or both the ears might be affected with this syndrome.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Ear Burning Sensation
Are your ears ringing? Why is the left ear burning? Why do I have a hot ear on one side? These are some of the most common questions which are asked by patients suffering from ear burning sensations. Before the thing gets really serious, it is recommended to consult an ENT specialist, who can find out the real cause of the problem and treat it accordingly.
A brief physical examination is carried out by the doctor. With the help of various tools and instruments, the ears are checked in details. The doctor will also ask various questions and try to understand the problem from the roots. Depending on the severity of the problem, the doctor might suggest medications and refer for some additional tests. Anti-inflammatory drugs might be suggested for minimizing inflammation and corticosteroids might be recommended in case the infection is a result of some kind of allergy.
Common Home Remedies for Combating Problem of Ear Burning
Going to the ENT specialist with the problem of ear burning and hot ears will definitely help in finding the right solution to the problem. Suitable medications and drugs are also recommended to get relief from the situation. Along with these, there are many common home remedies which can be tried for combating the problem of ear burning successfully. The biggest benefit of these home remedies is that there are no risks of any kinds of side effects taking place from the same. Read on to know about the home remedies in detail:
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Garlic:
You might have no idea about the great medicinal properties of garlic and how this natural ingredient can help in dealing with the problem of ear burning sensations. Garlic abounds in antimicrobial properties and hence it can provide great relief from ear pain quickly. Take some fresh garlic and smash the same. Apply it on the affected area for instant results.
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Warm Compress:
A warm compress to the painful ear can provide relief from the sensation almost immediately.
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Tea Tree Oil and Olive Oil:
Take equal amounts of tea tree oil and olive oil and mix them together. Apply the oil on the affected area. Both the pain and burning sensation subsides with this natural homely treatment and provides instant relief.
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Roasted Salt:
Take a pan and add a considerable amount of salt and roast the same. Place the roasted salt in a piece of cloth and compress on the ear. The temperature of the salt should be bearable so that it is comfortable on the ear and not add to the pain.
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Onion:
The juice of onion can help in alleviating ear burning sensation and hot ear pain considerably. Cut the onion into small pieces and heat the same. This helps in extracting all the juices from an onion. Use a compress for applying the juice on the affected ear. The pain is alleviated instantly. -
Basil Leaves:
Take 4-5 basil leaves and crush the same. Mix the crushed leaves with some kind of carrier oil like olive, jojoba or almond oil. Apply this mixture to the affected area religiously. You will feel the pain subsiding instantly. Wipe off the mixture after some time.
Now that you know what does it mean when your ears are burning, do not delay in doing the same and get relief from the hurting condition soon.
Medically Reviewed By
Maanasi specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition. A mother of an untiring seven year old, she enjoys nurturing her love affair with English. She is often found nestled with a book, plopped against a dozen pillows, smiling away at the brink of finishing yet another book of the many dozens, that adorn the shelves of her Mini Library!
