Ears Burning Sensation

Ears burning sensation or a burning sensation in the ears can be caused by several conditions including damage to the peripheral nerves. The various possible causes of this condition are discussed in this article.

It can be quite normal to experience burning sensations in the ear occasionally for a brief period, when one gets embarrassed or eats very hot and spicy foods. This type of ears burning sensation is caused by a sudden rush of blood to the ears, which is triggered by the factors mentioned above. Such type of burning in ears or heat sensation in the ears usually resolve within a few minutes. But, in this article, we are going to discuss about the burning and abnormal sensations in the ear that are experienced frequently and in the absence of the common triggering factors, which have been mentioned above. This type of ears burning sensation could indicate a medical condition of major concern. So, let’s find out more about the conditions that can produce such abnormal sensations in the ears.

Causes of Ears Burning Sensation

Ears burning and red could be a sign of certain health problems, especially if it is experienced frequently without any apparent reason. Along with a burning sensation, many people can also get a tingling or numbing sensation in the ear. The term for such abnormal skin sensations is paresthesia.

Burning ears

or ear paresthesia could be associated with the following conditions.

Ear Injury

An injury to the ear can damage the sensory nerves to produce a burning or heat sensation in the ears. Any type of injury to the ears such as, direct blow to the ear, as well as injury received during an accident can cause this condition.

Peripheral Neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy refers to the damage of the peripheral nerves, and it is one of the most common causes of abnormal skin sensations like, tingling, numbness or burning sensations that can be felt in various parts of the body including, the ears. Severe traumatic injury, as well as certain metabolic problems, infection and exposure to toxins can be responsible for damaging the nerves of the peripheral nervous system.

Diabetes Diabetes, or to be more specific untreated or poorly controlled diabetes

can damage the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, and produce skin sensations like, tingling, numbness and burning sensation. Peripheral nerve damage caused by consistently high levels of blood sugar is known as diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy

usually affects the extremities of the body such as, the hands, feet and sometimes the ears.

Trauma to the Cranial Nerves

Cranial nerves are the nerves that originate from the base of the brain. In humans, there are 12 pairs of cranial nerves, traumatic injury to which may result in ears burning sensation.

Stroke

A burning sensation in the ears may be associated with stroke as well, especially if it is accompanied by symptoms like, facial numbness, dizziness, headache, difficulty in speaking, blurred vision, slurred speech, confusion and paralysis or numbness on one side of the body. A stroke is caused when the supply of blood to the brain gets impaired.

Other Causes of Heat Sensation in Ears Apart from the conditions mentioned above, burning and hot red ears

could be associated with sunburn, chemical burn, heat burn, extreme cold, peripheral artery disease, allergies, nerve compression, multiple sclerosis, use of hypertension medications and cerebrovascular accidents.

Treatment for Ears Burning Sensation As burning ears could be associated with so many health conditions, it can be treated only after ascertaining the exact causes. Therefore, diagnosis of burning sensations in ears can involve a complete evaluation of the medical history of the affected person, physical examination, CT scan of the ear and the brain, neurological examination and specific tests for examining movement, balance, coordination, vision and hearing of the individual. All these tests and examinations would help to narrow down the causes of burning ears, and rule out other ear problems

. Once the condition is diagnosed properly, it can be resolved by treating the underlying cause.

So, this was a brief overview of ears burning sensation and its causes. As frequent sensations of numbness and burning in the ears can be associated with certain major health problems, it is better to evaluate this condition medically with the help of a physician or health care provider. This would not only help to get rid of this uncomfortable sensation, but would prove very effective in finding out the underlying causes and preventing the complications associated with such conditions.