Why does my ear hurt when I blow my nose?

Pain inside the ear when blowing the nose may be caused by conditions such as external otitis, acute otitis media, or acute tonsillitis. Once the underlying cause is identified, appropriate symptomatic treatment can usually be initiated.

1. External Otitis: Inflammation of the external auditory canal can lead to local swelling. When blowing the nose too forcefully, air may pass through the Eustachian tube and directly enter the ear, stimulating the swollen area of the external auditory canal and causing ear pain. Patients can use prescribed topical medications such as ofloxacin otic solution or lomefloxacin hydrochloride otic solution as directed by a physician.

2. Acute Otitis Media: This condition may result from bacterial infection or Eustachian tube dysfunction. Since the middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx, blowing the nose increases pressure in the middle ear, leading to ear pain and the aforementioned symptoms. Under medical guidance, patients may take anti-infective medications such as prednisone tablets or azithromycin tablets.

3. Acute Tonsillitis: Typically caused by viral or bacterial infections, acute tonsillitis often results in severe redness and swelling of the tonsils. Blowing the nose during an episode may irritate the inflamed tonsils, and the pain may radiate to the ear, causing ear discomfort during nose-blowing. Patients are generally advised to take antibiotic medications such as amoxicillin capsules or roxithromycin tablets under a doctor's supervision.

In addition to the above common causes, other factors such as upper respiratory tract infections may also contribute.