Why does my mastoid ache?
The bone behind your ear is called the mastoid bone, which is part of your skull. If this bone becomes painful and red, you may have a very serious infection called mastoiditis. Mastoiditis is more common in children but can occur in adults and is usually caused by an untreated middle ear infection.
What does mastoid pain feel like?
The symptoms of mastoiditis typically include: redness, tenderness and pain behind the ear. swelling behind the ear that can cause it to stick out. discharge from the ear.
What is adult mastoiditis?
Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection of the mastoid air cells surrounding the inner and middle ear. The mastoid bone, which is full of these air cells, is part of the temporal bone of the skull.
Can a inner ear infection cause mastoiditis?
The mastoid air cells can become infected or inflamed, often as a result of an inner ear infection (otitis media). If infection spreads outside the mastoid air cells into the mastoid bone (coalescent mastoiditis), serious health problems can arise.
What are the signs and symptoms of mastoiditis?
Symptoms of acute mastoiditis and chronic mastoiditis include: Pain or discomfort in or behind the ear (otalgia) Redness or tenderness behind the ear. Swelling of the area behind the ear (this may cause the ear to stick out) Ear discharge (otorrhea) Fever. Headache. Hearing loss in the affected ear.
What happens if the mastoid bone is infected?
If infection spreads, serious complication can arise including hearing loss, bone infection, blood clots, brain abscess, and meningitis. What is mastoiditis? The mastoid bone is the back part of the temporal bone of the skull located just behind the inner ear. Mastoiditis is infection of the mastoid bone.
What are the symptoms of a middle ear infection?
Signs and symptoms of a middle ear infection in adults include: 1 Pain 2 Fever 3 Difficulty hearing 4 Feeling of fullness in the ear 5 Dizziness