Ear infection

[Headless Rat]

Do you probably have an ear infection if your ear goes all crackly when you swallow and when there's a pain going from your ear down to your throat?
It's only in one ear.
Is there any remedy I can take without going to the doctor?? Thanks

[mrs_overall]

Do have or have you had a cold?
It sounds like you have a blocked eustachian tube. If you've had a cold it should clear up on it's own. If the pain is severe it could be an infection needing antibiotics - you'd need your GP to have a peek to see if your eardrum is inflamed.
If you can't get to see your GP, give NHS Direct a ring.

[Octavius]

It could be an infection, or it could be 'Eustachian tube dysfunction' or ETD.

The crackling noises that you hear in your ears are as a result of the fluid in the middle ear becoming thickened, usually as the result of a cough or cold. There is a fine tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the throat called the 'Eustachian tube' and this becomes blocked by this sticky fluid, or mucus. The crackling is due to the mucus moving within the middle ear, and it is the blockage which may be causing the pain.

You could try inhaling steam, or over the counter decongestants some of which are available in tablet, or nose spray form. Nonetheless, if the symptoms persist though, you should get your ears checked over with your GP.

[stewey]

The 'crackly' sensation that you mention might indicate a build-up of wax.

[Headless Rat]

I have a bit of a head cold alright. My nose is blocked and my throat is quite sore. I don't thinkthe "crackly" sound is a build up wax, to be fair!!!Thanks for your answers!

[eyeshade]

Rattie, I get this, you could have a blocked saliva gland. I have just had this myself and am still taking the penicillin for it! My glands swelled up as well, it might be worth checking it out with Doc though especially with pains etc. Sometimes teeth can also cause pain in this area.

[jiggy-gb]

I get a fair few ear infections and one way i can tell i have one on the way before the pain gets there is the wax in my ear smells funny. Not very nice i know, but if you can bear to put your fingers in your ear, and the wax is a bit whiffy then you've probably got an infection which is best cleared with antibiotics rather than being left to clear itself.
For the pain i take Paramol, which you can buy over the counter although a bit more pricey than most painkillers, they're the only thing that touches the pain.

[bigmamma]

That sounds painful , you poor thing , hope you can get to your gp and recover soon , all the best :-)

[Kleiber]

Ratty, for heavens' sake, go & see your GP. That's what we pay our taxes for - a National Health Service! I bet you're male, aren't you? Men hate to think they're "bothering" their doctors, but that's what drs get paid for. It's probably something relatively minor, easily treated, but go & see him/her anyway. K