After tonsillectomy surgery, patients have plenty of unpleasant side effects to deal with. Swelling of the uvula, tongue, and throat are usually the first hurdle adults have to deal with post tonsillectomy. Swallowing and breathing can be difficult. This isn’t too surprising, especially considering all that the throat has been through. Icing and gargling with ice water can help reduce this swelling, as can a steroidal treatment. The next problem after tonsillectomy, usually a day or so post-op, is pain in the throat area. Again, no big surprise. Icing is also a good way to treat, as are narcotic pain killers and/or over the counter pain medications. Topical analgesics like throat sprays can also offer some relief.
What surprises many is a phenomena occurring several days into their tonsillectomy recovery- ear pain.
Post Tonsillectomy Ear Pain – Cause and Treatment
Cause
Literally thousands of patients sharing their experiences on this website have commented that their ears hurt after tonsillectomy. Ear pain after tonsillectomy is probably the second or third most common side effect that patients experience- second only to pain and swelling. But why does this happen? There was no scalpel or hot knife near the ears, so why should they feel like they’re being stabbed? The cause of ear pain post tonsillectomy starts at the throat and radiates to the ears. This is called a referred pain. Take a look at the attached diagram and note the lingual nerve. It’s directly connected to the ears and throat.
Treatments and Home Remedies
This referred pain can be quite severe. Often prescribed pain medications do not seem to relieve the ear pain that many experience after tonsillectomy. In addition to the pain medicines patients are taking, there are two home remedies that usually can provide some relief. The first of which is chewing gum. In light of the unpleasant side effect of have sugary residue in and around the throat, most tonsillectomy patients prefer a sugar -free gum. A mint flavor can also feel cooling. Exactly why chewing gum relieves ear pain is hard to say. Certainly activating the muscles around the ears and jaw may help, but more likely, like yawning, gum chewing releases pressure from the ear area.
The second remedy for ear pain after tonsillectomy is applying a heating pad or warm compress to the affected area. Again, the reason for its effectiveness is not entirely clear but most patients describe a relaxing comfort from applying a wet, warm towel or electric heating pad to the affected area. To reduce inflammation, alternate between warm and cold compresses.
-Greg My short bio
Have you found a trick for taking the edge off of ear pain, especially after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy? Please share it in the comments section below. Thank you!
Thank you so much for mentioning the Vicks. I am on day 8 of recovery and it’s 1AM and my throat only bothers me when I speak, but my ears have been keeping me miserable 24/7. The pain didn’t completely go away, but it is now manageable. I recommend this trick to anyone who’s ears have been giving them pain.
I am on day 6- I was in hospital yesterday with horrendous ear pain. I could cope with the throat if it was only that. I feel like my medication just isn’t working with all of this ear pain. I am going to try the vic now-I really hope it helps! X
Try rubbing Vicks or deep heat behind your ears because that helped for me. It only lasts for about 20 minutes and then the pain comes back slowly but just keep applying it and it will help relive the pain.
I also tried hot showers and baths but it only takes the pain away from maybe 2 minutes and then it’s back. I recommend the Vicks!
I cannot thank you enough! Vicks was a life saver for me! I had the worst ear pain yesterday and it has been the only thing to relieve it and have me 10 HOURS sleep wooo!!
Now my ear pain only kicks in when i swallow, which sucks, but you know what its better than what it was. Hopefully tomorrow will be the day that I return to feeling normal and I am so excited for it! Roll on Day 9!
Omg I am on day 8 and finally my pain is slowing down. I’m off the meds and eating soft foods which is ultimately making my mood waaaay better. Unfortunately my ears are driving me crazy! I had the same ear pain as everyone posting here when my throat was bad, but that seems to have gone as the pain has left… I have, however, had THE WORST pressure in my right ear all day and night and it’s driving me crazy.. It’s like I need to pop my ear but I can’t. Has anyone else experienced this? Could this be due to the adenoidectomy? It’s so so annoying I can’t even breathe without feeling it. Please anyone else that can help… Help! 🙁
i am on day 7 and having severe pain in right ear and jaw…
it is very difficult to swallow anything..
After spending a year trying the Ayurvedic approach to health, where one balances the body through knowing your body type and then eating accordingly, I have seen some great results. Warm sesame oil is used medicinally in the ear to help alleviate pressure from going on a flight, etc.
I am on day 6 of my post op for tonsillectomy, age 42. My ear(s) started hurting yesterday but today is worse, especially on the right side. Applying drops of warmed sesame oil, warmed in a small pot over another pot containing water is a great way to help your ears!! I didn’t have to think much about what to do, as I have done this before in my ayurvedic treatments prescribed by my ayurvedic doctor. To do this home treatment: warm the oil so that it is a nice warm feeling on your skin. ALWAYS test a drop next to your ear to see if it is too hot. Do not put hot oil in your ear ever, just warmed. The warm oil can be dropped into your ear as you lay on your side with a towel under your head. Have some tissues ready in case the oil drips down your face, as you will feel the ear plug with oil and then top it off until you can feel it begin to drip out. Ahhh! Now that is a calming experience…just lay there for 10 minutes. Put a cotton ball in if you want and then switch sides. When you are done with 10 minutes on the other side, you are ready to let it all out. Do not hold oil in your ear longer, as the oil has already nourished the tissues of the ear. You can do this twice a day, and maybe even three times.
Sesame oil is traditionally used in Ayurveda for it’s warming and healing qualities. For another relaxing and nourishing body experience, rub in sesame oil to your entire body, bottoms of feet and head included, then take a warm/hot shower, no soap, except hair, and then just pat dry. You will feel good. I’ve been doing this also to help my body relax and heal during this post op time. Hope this helps.