Sakit Telinga (Earache): Punca, Ubat & Bila Bahaya

Sakit telinga (earache) is common, especially in young children, and is not usually a sign of anything serious (NHS). It is often caused by an ear infection, which usually starts to improve after a few days. Other causes include earwax, a sore throat or tonsillitis, toothache and jaw problems. Painkillers and a warm flannel on the ear can help; do not put cotton buds or anything else inside the ear. Get medical help if the pain does not improve within 2 to 3 days, or sooner if you have a high temperature, fluid coming from the ear, swelling, hearing changes, or diabetes. This guide explains the common causes, what you can do at home, and when to see a doctor.

Punca sakit telinga: apa simptom lain beritahu anda

The NHS says earache is often caused by an ear infection, but there are lots of possible causes, and it advises: do not try to diagnose the cause yourself. The symptoms that come with the pain can give clues:

A perforated eardrum can also start suddenly after an ear infection, a blow to the ear, or a sudden change in air pressure, such as flying on a plane (NHS). It usually heals on its own within 2 months.

Jangkitan telinga: luar, tengah dan dalam

Ear infections are very common, particularly in children, and often get better on their own within 3 days (NHS). Symptoms usually start quickly and include pain inside the ear, a high temperature, difficulty hearing, discharge running out of the ear (telinga berair), a feeling of pressure or fullness, and itching or scaly skin in and around the ear. The NHS describes 3 types:

An outer ear infection is sometimes called "swimmer's ear". Inner ear infections can affect balance, causing dizziness or a spinning feeling (vertigo); see our guide to vertigo. These inner ear infections usually get better on their own within a few weeks (NHS). If you have eczema around your ears, treating it can help prevent ear infections (NHS); see our guide to ekzema.

Sakit telinga kiri atau kanan: adakah ia penting?

Many people search for "sakit telinga kiri" or "sakit telinga kanan". The NHS says earache can affect 1 or both ears, and it does not link any particular cause to the left or right side. What helps point to the cause is what comes with the pain: a fever, a change in hearing, toothache, pain when swallowing, or jaw pain (see the table above). A perforated eardrum usually affects 1 ear (NHS).

For young children, both sides matter: the NHS advises an urgent appointment if a child under 2 has earache in both ears.

Cara hilangkan sakit telinga berdenyut di rumah

Throbbing ear pain (sakit telinga berdenyut) can feel very uncomfortable. Most earaches get better on their own (NHS). To ease the pain, the NHS suggests:

• Do take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin);
• Do place a warm flannel (tuala basah yang suam) on the ear;
• Do wipe away any discharge from the ear with cotton wool;
• Do not put anything inside your ear, such as cotton buds or your finger;
• Do not try to remove earwax;
• Do not let water or shampoo get inside your ear, and do not go swimming while you have an ear infection.

The NHS also says there is no evidence that decongestants or antihistamines help with ear infections. Get medical help if symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 days, or sooner if you have a high temperature or fluid leaking from the ear.

Ubat sakit telinga: painkiller dan titisan telinga

For "ubat sakit telinga", the first step is usually a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (NHS). Some painkillers are not safe for everyone, for example if you are pregnant, so check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist (NHS). A pharmacist can also advise whether eardrops might help, or whether you need to see a doctor.

If you have an ear infection, the treatment depends on the cause and which part of the ear is infected. A doctor or pharmacist may give (NHS):

• antibiotic tablets or eardrops;
• antifungal or steroid eardrops;
• painkilling eardrops.

The NHS says eardrops may not work if they are not used correctly: remove any discharge or earwax with cotton wool, lie on your side with the affected ear facing up, gently pull and push your ear to work the drops in, and stay lying down for 5 minutes. Do not use eardrops if you might have a perforated eardrum, unless a doctor recommends them (NHS).

Tahi telinga dan cotton bud

Earwax (tahi telinga) normally falls out on its own, and the NHS says it is there to protect your ears from dirt and germs. When it builds up, it can cause hearing loss, earache or a blocked feeling, ringing in the ears, or dizziness. For ringing in the ears, see our guide to telinga berdesing.

To remove earwax build-up, the NHS suggests:

1. lie on your side with the affected ear facing up;
2. put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear (do not use almond oil if you are allergic to almonds);
3. stay lying on your side for 5 to 10 minutes;
4. repeat 3 to 4 times a day, for 3 to 5 days.

Over about 2 weeks, lumps of earwax should fall out. Do not use fingers or cotton buds: this pushes earwax in and makes it worse (NHS). There is also no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of earwax. See a nurse or doctor if symptoms have not cleared after 5 days, or your ear is badly blocked (NHS).

Cleaning the ears with cotton buds is a common habit in Malaysia. In a 2005 study at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, 92% of 50 people surveyed used a cotton bud to clean their ears, 36% put an object into the ear canal once or more a day, and the most common reason was earwax. The authors noted that the belief that ears must be cleaned inside is widespread, and that this practice should be avoided.

Sakit telinga pada bayi dan kanak-kanak

Earache is particularly common in young children, and the NHS says most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection, which usually starts to improve after a few days. A baby or young child might have earache if they (NHS):

• rub or pull their ear;
• do not react to some sounds;
• have a temperature of 38C or above;
• are irritable or restless (meragam);
• are off their food;
• keep losing their balance.

Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help (NHS); use a children's version as directed on the packet, and never give aspirin to children under 16 (NHS). See a doctor if your baby is under 12 months and you think they have an ear infection, or if your child keeps getting earaches or ear infections (NHS).

Glue ear is where the middle ear fills with fluid. It is much more common in children and can cause temporary hearing loss, earache or ringing in the ears (NHS). It usually clears up within 3 months, but if it lasts a long time it can affect a child's speech and progress at school. See a doctor if your child speaks loudly, asks people to repeat what they say, turns the TV up loud, or seems easily distracted when people are talking (NHS).

To help prevent ear infections, the NHS suggests making sure your child has had all their childhood vaccinations, keeping them away from smoky environments, and trying not to give a dummy (puting) after 6 months of age.

Sakit telinga semasa hamil atau menyusu

If you are pregnant, the NHS says paracetamol is usually the best painkiller to take, and it is commonly taken during pregnancy. The NHS advises avoiding ibuprofen during pregnancy unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it. If you are breastfeeding, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using ibuprofen (NHS). Tell the pharmacist you are pregnant or breastfeeding before buying eardrops or other medicines.

The warm flannel, keeping water out of the ear and not using cotton buds are simple steps you can take without medicines (NHS). See your doctor or klinik kesihatan if the pain does not improve within 2 to 3 days, or sooner if you have a high temperature or fluid coming from the ear.

Bila perlu jumpa doktor atau ke hospital

Ask for an urgent appointment (NHS) if you or your child have earache and:

• have had it for more than 2 to 3 days;
• become generally unwell, or have a very high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery;
• have swelling around the ear, or fluid coming from the ear;
• have hearing loss or a change in hearing;
• have something stuck in the ear;
• feel sick or are being sick, feel dizzy, or have a severe sore throat;
• your child is under 2 and has earache in both ears;
• you have sudden hearing loss, or your hearing has been getting worse over the last few days or weeks.

The NHS also advises an urgent appointment if you have symptoms of an ear infection and have diabetes, a heart, lung, kidney or neurological condition, or a weakened immune system (for example, because of chemotherapy). In a 2024 study at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre of 31 patients with skull base osteomyelitis, a rare but serious infection of the bone at the base of the skull, ear pain and ear discharge were the most common symptoms, and most patients were older adults with conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. If you have kencing manis, do not ignore ear pain with discharge that does not get better.

Call 999 or go to the emergency department (NHS) if you have a severe sore throat that quickly gets worse, swelling inside the mouth and throat, difficulty speaking, cannot swallow, or have difficulty breathing or opening your mouth. These can be signs of quinsy. Do not drive yourself; ask someone to take you.

See a doctor (NHS) if you or your child keep getting earache or ear infections. The doctor may look in your ear with a small light and magnifying glass (an otoscope).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Kenapa sakit telinga (what causes earache)?

The NHS says earache is common, especially in young children, and is often caused by an ear infection, which usually starts to improve after a few days. Other causes include earwax build-up, a perforated eardrum, glue ear, a sore throat or tonsillitis, a dental abscess or teething, and problems with the jaw joint (TMD). Do not try to diagnose the cause yourself; see a doctor if you are not sure.

Sakit telinga kiri atau kanan, apa maksudnya (pain in the left or right ear)?

The NHS says earache can affect 1 or both ears, and it does not link any cause to the left or right side. What helps point to the cause is what comes with the pain: a fever, a change in hearing, toothache, pain when swallowing, or jaw pain. Get an urgent appointment if a child under 2 has earache in both ears (NHS).

Cara hilangkan sakit telinga berdenyut (how to ease throbbing ear pain)?

The NHS suggests taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen and placing a warm flannel on the ear. Do not put anything inside your ear, such as cotton buds, do not try to remove earwax, and keep water out of the ear. Most earaches get better on their own, but get medical help if the pain does not improve within 2 to 3 days.

Ubat sakit telinga apa yang boleh guna (what medicine helps earache)?

Paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease the pain (NHS); children under 16 should not take aspirin. If you are pregnant, the NHS says paracetamol is usually the best painkiller, and ibuprofen should be avoided unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it. A pharmacist can advise on eardrops. For an ear infection, a doctor may give antibiotic tablets or eardrops, antifungal or steroid eardrops, or painkilling eardrops.

Boleh guna cotton bud untuk cuci telinga (can I clean my ears with cotton buds)?

The NHS advises against it. Earwax usually falls out on its own and protects the ear from dirt and germs. Using fingers or cotton buds pushes earwax in and makes it worse, and the NHS lists keeping cotton buds and fingers out of your ears as one way to help prevent ear infections. If earwax blocks your ear, the NHS suggests 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil, 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days. There is no evidence that ear candles work.

Anak sakit telinga, bila perlu jumpa doktor (when should my child see a doctor)?

Most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection that improves within a few days (NHS). See a doctor if your baby is under 12 months and you think they have an ear infection, if earache lasts more than 2 to 3 days, or if your child keeps getting earaches. Get an urgent appointment if they have a very high temperature, fluid coming from the ear, swelling around the ear, a change in hearing, or are under 2 with earache in both ears.

Bila sakit telinga perlu ke hospital (when is earache serious)?

Get an urgent appointment if earache lasts more than 2 to 3 days, or comes with feeling generally unwell, a very high temperature, swelling around the ear, fluid from the ear, hearing loss, dizziness, vomiting or a severe sore throat (NHS). Also get an urgent appointment for ear infection symptoms if you have diabetes, a heart, lung, kidney or neurological condition, or a weakened immune system. Call 999 if you have a severe sore throat that quickly gets worse, or you cannot swallow, or have trouble breathing or opening your mouth, which can be signs of quinsy, a rare complication of tonsillitis (NHS).

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

• Earache — NHS
• Ear infections — NHS
• Earwax build-up — NHS
• Glue ear — NHS
• Perforated eardrum — NHS
• Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) — NHS
• Tonsillitis — NHS
• Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis — NHS
• Paracetamol for adults — NHS
• Ibuprofen for adults — NHS
• Lee LM, Govindaraju R, Hon SK. Cotton bud and ear cleaning: a loose tip cotton bud? Med J Malaysia. 2005;60(1):85-8
• Yew Toong L, Ghauth S, Yin Xuan N. Skull base osteomyelitis: a 5-year review and prognostic outcome in a single tertiary institution. OTO Open. 2024;8(3):e70001