Published: Jun 24, 2023

Throat and ear pain when swallowing can feel strange.

Your throat hurts. Your ear hurts too. The pain may be on one side. It may feel sharp. It may feel deep. It may happen each time you swallow.

This does not always mean you have both a throat infection and an ear infection.

The throat and ear share nerve pathways. Pain can start in one place and feel like it is coming from another place.

This guide explains why throat and ear pain happen when swallowing, common causes, red flags, quick relief, treatment options, prevention tips, and when to seek urgent care.

For more help, visit our Lung & Respiratory Health Hub, Infections & Immune Health Hub, Pain Management & Conditions Hub, First Aid & Home Remedies Hub, and Health Hub.

Medical note: This article is for education only. It does not diagnose or treat throat infection, ear infection, strep throat, tonsillitis, quinsy, reflux, TMJ, or cancer. Seek urgent care if you cannot swallow, cannot breathe well, are drooling, have a high-pitched breathing sound, have severe one-sided throat swelling, have trouble opening your mouth, have neck swelling, have a stiff neck, have confusion, or symptoms are getting worse quickly.

Quick Answer: Why Do My Throat and Ear Hurt When I Swallow?

Throat and ear pain when swallowing can happen because the throat, tonsils, ear, jaw, and nerves are connected.

Common causes include:

• Common cold
• Flu
• Sore throat
• Tonsillitis
• Strep throat
• Ear infection
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Sinus infection
• Postnasal drip
• Acid reflux
• TMJ disorder
• Teeth grinding
• Dental infection
• Mouth or throat ulcers
• Quinsy, also called peritonsillar abscess
• Rarely, throat or mouth cancer

Most cases are not dangerous. But pain that is severe, one-sided, persistent, or linked with fever, swelling, drooling, breathing trouble, or trouble swallowing needs medical care.

When to Get Help Fast

Get urgent medical help now if you have:

• Trouble breathing
• You cannot swallow
• Drooling
• Noisy or high-pitched breathing
• Severe throat swelling
• Severe one-sided throat pain
• Trouble opening your mouth
• Voice change that sounds muffled
• Neck swelling
• Stiff neck
• Severe headache
• Confusion
• Chest pain
• Blue or gray lips
• Fainting
• Symptoms are getting worse quickly

Get same-day medical advice if you have:

• High fever
• Ear discharge
• Hearing loss
• Severe ear pain
• White pus on the tonsils
• Rash with sore throat
• Swollen, painful neck glands
• Symptoms lasting more than a few days without improvement
• Throat and ear pain lasting more than 2 to 4 weeks
• Unexplained weight loss
• A lump in the neck

Why Ear Pain Can Happen When the Throat Is the Problem

The throat and ear are linked by nerves.

This means pain can be “referred.”

Referred pain means the pain starts in one area, but your brain feels it in another area.

For example, swollen tonsils can make the ear hurt. A throat infection can make one ear ache. Jaw problems can also feel like ear pain.

This is why ear pain when swallowing may not be an ear infection.

1. Common Cold or Flu

A cold or the flu can irritate the throat. It can also block the nose and affect ear pressure.

Signs may include:

• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Runny nose
• Blocked nose
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Body aches
• Tiredness
• Mild ear pressure

Most viral sore throats improve with rest, fluids, and time.

Antibiotics do not treat viruses.

2. Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis means the tonsils are swollen or infected.

It can cause throat and ear pain, especially when swallowing.

Signs may include:

• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Red swollen tonsils
• White spots or pus on the tonsils
• Fever
• Headache
• Earache
• Bad breath
• Swollen neck glands
• Feeling sick
• Tiredness

Tonsillitis can be viral or bacterial.

A doctor may test or assess you if strep throat is possible.

3. Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection.

It can cause sudden throat pain and painful swallowing.

Signs may include:

• Sudden sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Fever
• Red swollen tonsils
• White patches or pus
• Tender neck glands
• Headache
• Rash in some cases
• Nausea or vomiting in children

Strep throat needs medical care. It may need antibiotics.

Do not use leftover antibiotics. Do not start antibiotics without a clinician.

4. Ear Infection

An ear infection can cause pain inside the ear. Swallowing may make ear pressure or pain more noticeable.

Signs may include:

• Earache
• Fever
• Hearing trouble
• Ear fullness
• Fluid from the ear
• Itching in the ear
• Feeling unwell
• Dizziness in some cases

Ear infections often improve in a few days, but some need medical care.

Get checked if there is ear discharge, hearing loss, severe pain, high fever, swelling around the ear, or if symptoms are not improving.

5. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

The Eustachian tubes connect the middle ears to the back of the throat.

They help balance pressure in the ears.

When they are blocked, you may feel ear pain or pressure.

This can happen after:

• Cold
• Flu
• Allergies
• Sinus congestion
• Flying
• Altitude changes
• Nasal swelling

Signs may include:

• Ear pressure
• Ear fullness
• Muffled hearing
• Popping or clicking
• Ear pain
• Ringing in the ear
• Dizziness in some cases

Swallowing, yawning, or chewing may briefly change the pressure.

6. Sinus Infection or Postnasal Drip

Sinus problems can cause throat irritation and ear pressure.

Postnasal drip means mucus runs down the back of the throat.

Signs may include:

• Blocked nose
• Runny nose
• Thick mucus
• Facial pressure
• Forehead pressure
• Cheek pressure
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Bad breath
• Ear pressure
• Pain worse when bending forward

Sinus symptoms often follow a cold or allergy flare.

7. Acid Reflux or GERD

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid moves up into the food pipe or throat.

It can irritate the throat. It can make swallowing painful.

Signs may include:

• Burning in the chest
• Sour taste
• Throat burning
• Hoarse voice
• Dry cough
• Feeling of a lump in the throat
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Symptoms worse after meals
• Symptoms worse when lying down

Reflux can also cause throat discomfort that may feel like ear pain.

See a doctor if swallowing is hard, food gets stuck, symptoms are frequent, or you have weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools, or chest pain.

8. TMJ Disorder

TMJ means temporomandibular joint. This is the jaw joint near the ear.

TMJ pain can feel like ear pain.

Swallowing, chewing, talking, or yawning may make it worse.

Signs may include:

• Jaw pain
• Ear pain without ear infection
• Clicking jaw
• Popping jaw
• Jaw locking
• Temple headache
• Face pain
• Tooth aching
• Pain worse with chewing
• Morning jaw pain

TMJ pain may be linked with teeth grinding, clenching, stress, bite issues, or jaw injury.

For related dental pain, read Toothache and Headache: Causes, Symptoms, and Quick Relief.

9. Teeth Grinding or Dental Infection

Tooth and gum problems can cause pain that spreads to the ear, jaw, throat, or head.

Possible dental causes include:

• Dental abscess
• Wisdom tooth infection
• Gum infection
• Cracked tooth
• Teeth grinding
• Jaw clenching

Dental infection warning signs include:

• Severe tooth pain
• Swollen gum
• Face swelling
• Bad taste
• Pus
• Fever
• Pain when chewing
• Trouble opening the mouth

A dental abscess needs urgent dental care.

For more, read Best Natural Tooth Pain Relief: 15 Safe Remedies and When to See a Dentist.

10. Mouth or Throat Ulcers

Ulcers can make swallowing painful.

They can also cause pain that feels like ear pain.

Possible triggers include:

• Mouth injury
• Viral infection
• Stress
• Low iron
• Low vitamin B12
• Low folate
• Spicy foods
• Acidic foods
• Immune conditions

See a doctor or dentist if an ulcer lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks, keeps coming back, bleeds, or comes with a neck lump.

For more, read Mouth Ulcers: Causes, Fast Relief, Prevention, and When to Worry.

11. Quinsy or Peritonsillar Abscess

Quinsy is a pus-filled abscess near a tonsil.

It can happen after tonsillitis.

It can be serious.

Signs may include:

• Severe sore throat
• Usually worse on one side
• Pain when swallowing
• Trouble swallowing
• Drooling
• Fever
• Bad breath
• Earache on the same side
• Muffled voice
• Trouble opening the mouth
• Swelling in the throat
• Uvula pushed to one side
• Trouble breathing in severe cases

Quinsy needs urgent medical care. Treatment may include antibiotics and drainage.

12. Allergies

Allergies can cause nose swelling, mucus, throat irritation, and ear pressure.

Signs may include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Blocked nose
• Postnasal drip
• Throat clearing
• Ear popping
• Ear fullness

Allergies are not usually dangerous, but symptoms can be very annoying.

Ask a pharmacist or doctor about safe allergy treatment if symptoms keep coming back.

13. Laryngitis

Laryngitis means the voice box is inflamed.

It can happen after a cold, flu, voice strain, smoke exposure, or reflux.

Signs may include:

• Hoarse voice
• Lost voice
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Throat clearing
• Pain when talking or swallowing

Most mild cases improve with voice rest and fluids.

Get checked if hoarseness lasts more than 3 weeks or comes with a lump, weight loss, trouble swallowing, or coughing up blood.

14. Less Common But Serious Causes

Most throat and ear pain is caused by infection, pressure, reflux, or jaw problems.

Less common serious causes include:

• Throat cancer
• Mouth cancer
• Tonsil cancer
• Deep neck infection
• Severe dental infection
• Epiglottitis
• Abscess in the throat

Do not panic. These are not the most common causes.

But get checked if pain lasts, keeps getting worse, is one-sided, or comes with red flags.

One-Sided Throat and Ear Pain When Swallowing

One-sided pain can happen with a one-sided throat or tonsil problem.

Potential causes include:

• One swollen tonsil
• Tonsillitis
• Strep throat
• Quinsy
• Dental infection
• TMJ pain
• Ear infection
• Mouth ulcer
• Throat injury
• Reflux irritation
• Rarely, cancer

Get medical care quickly if one-sided pain is severe, getting worse, or comes with fever, drooling, voice change, neck swelling, or trouble opening the mouth.

Ear Pain Only When Swallowing

Ear pain only when swallowing may happen from pressure changes or referred throat pain.

Probable causes include:

• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Cold or flu
• Postnasal drip
• Tonsillitis
• Strep throat
• TMJ disorder
• Dental pain
• Reflux

If the ear pain is severe, lasts, or comes with hearing loss or fluid from the ear, see a clinician.

Children With Throat and Ear Pain When Swallowing

Children may not explain pain clearly.

Watch for:

• Refusing food
• Refusing drinks
• Drooling
• Pulling at the ear
• Crying when swallowing
• Fever
• Rash
• Bad breath
• Swollen glands
• Sleepiness
• Ear discharge
• Hearing changes

Call a doctor if a child cannot drink, has trouble breathing, is drooling, has a stiff neck, has a high fever, looks very sick, or has signs of dehydration.

Quick Relief at Home

Home care can help with mild symptoms. It does not replace medical care when warning signs are present.

1. Drink Fluids

Water helps keep the throat moist. Warm drinks may soothe pain.

2. Use Warm Salt Water Gargle

Adults and older children who can gargle safely may use warm salt water. Do not swallow it.

3. Eat Soft Foods

Try soup, yogurt, oatmeal, eggs, smoothies, or soft rice.

4. Avoid Irritants

Avoid smoke, alcohol, very spicy foods, and very acidic foods.

5. Use Safe Pain Relief

Ask a doctor or pharmacist what is safe for you. Some people can use paracetamol/acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These are not safe for everyone.

6. Rest Your Voice

If your voice is hoarse, talk less. Do not whisper hard. Whispering can strain the voice.

7. Try Humidified Air

A humidifier or steam from a warm shower may ease dryness. Avoid burns.

8. Keep the Ear Dry if There Is Ear Discharge

Do not put drops in the ear unless advised. Ear discharge should be checked.

What Not to Do

• Do not ignore trouble breathing.
• Do not ignore drooling or being unable to swallow.
• Do not take leftover antibiotics.
• Do not use ear drops if fluid is leaking unless a doctor says it is safe.
• Do not put cotton swabs deep into the ear.
• Do not smoke or vape while the throat is sore.
• Do not drink alcohol to numb pain.
• Do not force food if swallowing is very painful.
• Do not delay care for severe one-sided throat pain.
• Do not ignore symptoms that last for weeks.

How Doctors Find the Cause

A doctor, dentist, or ENT specialist may:

• Look at your throat
• Check the tonsils
• Look inside your ears
• Check your neck glands
• Check your temperature
• Ask about cough, runny nose, reflux, and fever
• Ask about dental pain
• Check jaw movement
• Do a throat swab if strep is possible
• Order blood tests in selected cases
• Refer to ENT if symptoms persist or red flags exist

The right test depends on your symptoms.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause.

Viral Sore Throat

Rest, fluids, pain relief if safe, and time often help.

Tonsillitis

Viral tonsillitis may improve on its own. Bacterial tonsillitis may need antibiotics.

Strep Throat

Strep throat may need antibiotics after medical assessment or testing.

Ear Infection

Some ear infections improve on their own. Some need ear drops, antibiotics, or follow-up.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Treatment may include treating allergies or congestion. Some cases improve in a few days.

Sinusitis

Care may include fluids, saline spray, pain relief if safe, and medical care if severe or long-lasting.

Reflux

Treatment may include food changes, not lying down after meals, weight support if needed, and medicine if advised.

TMJ Disorder

Care may include soft foods, a jaw rest, stress support, a night guard, or a dental review.

Quinsy

Quinsy needs urgent medical care. Treatment may include antibiotics and drainage.

How to Prevent It

You cannot prevent every cause. But these steps may help.

• Wash hands often.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Do not share cups or utensils when ill.
• Keep vaccines up to date.
• Do not smoke or vape.
• Treat allergies early.
• Manage reflux if you have it.
• Drink enough fluids.
• Use a humidifier if the air is dry.
• See a dentist for tooth or jaw pain.
• Avoid deep ear cleaning with cotton swabs.
• Get medical care for repeated tonsillitis or severe sore throats.

Simple 7-Day Safety Plan

This is not a diagnosis plan. It is a safety plan.

Day 1: Check Red Flags

Look for trouble breathing, drooling, trouble swallowing, severe one-sided swelling, fever, or neck swelling. Get urgent care if present.

Day 2: Track Symptoms

Write down pain, fever, cough, ear pressure, hearing changes, reflux, and dental pain.

Day 3: Use Gentle Relief

Drink fluids, eat soft foods, and use pain relief only if safe for you.

Day 4: Check the Ear

Notice ear discharge, hearing loss, fullness, ringing, or dizziness.

Day 5: Check the Throat

Look for white spots, swollen tonsils, voice change, bad breath, or one-sided swelling.

Day 6: Book Care if Not Improving

If symptoms are not improving, are severe, or keep returning, book a medical visit.

Day 7: Follow-Up

If symptoms last for weeks, ask about ENT, dental, reflux, or jaw causes.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• Is this throat, ear, jaw, sinus, reflux, or dental pain?
• Do I need a throat swab?
• Could this be strep throat?
• Could this be tonsillitis?
• Could this be quinsy?
• Do I have an ear infection?
• Is my eardrum okay?
• Could reflux be irritating my throat?
• Could TMJ be causing ear pain?
• Do I need antibiotics?
• What pain relief is safe for me?
• What symptoms indicate urgent care?
• Do I need an ENT referral?

FAQ

Why do my throat and ear hurt when I swallow?

Your throat and ear may hurt when swallowing because of shared nerves. Common causes include cold, flu, tonsillitis, strep throat, ear infection, Eustachian tube dysfunction, sinusitis, reflux, TMJ, dental infection, or quinsy.

Can tonsillitis cause ear pain when swallowing?

Yes. Tonsillitis can cause a sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, swollen tonsils, and earache.

Can an ear infection cause throat pain when swallowing?

An ear infection can cause ear pain and pressure. Swallowing may make ear pressure worse. Throat pain may also come from the same cold or infection that affected the ear.

Why is the pain only on one side?

One-sided pain may come from one swollen tonsil, tonsillitis, strep throat, quinsy, ear infection, dental infection, TMJ, mouth ulcer, reflux irritation, or rarely, cancer.

When should I worry about throat and ear pain?

Worry if you have trouble breathing, cannot swallow, are drooling, have severe one-sided pain, fever, neck swelling, trouble opening your mouth, hearing loss, ear discharge, or symptoms lasting for weeks.

Can acid reflux cause throat and ear pain?

Yes. Reflux can irritate the throat and make swallowing painful. Throat irritation can sometimes feel like ear pain.

Can TMJ cause ear pain when swallowing?

Yes. TMJ disorder can cause jaw pain, ear pain, temple headache, clicking, popping, and pain when chewing, talking, yawning, or swallowing.

How can I relieve throat and ear pain at home?

Mild pain may improve with fluids, soft foods, a warm salt water gargle, rest, humidified air, avoiding smoke, and safe pain relief if suitable. Get medical care if symptoms are severe or not improving.

Do I need antibiotics?

Not always. Many sore throats are viral and do not need antibiotics. Strep throat, some ear infections, and quinsy may need medical treatment. A clinician should decide.

Can throat and ear pain be cancer?

Most cases are not cancer. But pain that lasts for weeks, is one-sided, or comes with a neck lump, weight loss, trouble swallowing, blood, or voice change should be checked.

Related Reading

• Ear Bleeding: Causes, Treatment, Prevention, and When to Worry
• Toothache and Headache: Causes, Symptoms, and Quick Relief
• Best Natural Tooth Pain Relief: 15 Safe Remedies and When to See a Dentist
• Mouth Ulcers: Causes, Fast Relief, Prevention, and When to Worry
• Causes of Mouth Ulcers in Children: Triggers, Relief, and When to Worry
• Lung & Respiratory Health Hub
• Infections & Immune Health Hub
• Pain Management & Conditions Hub
• First Aid & Home Remedies Hub
• Health Hub

Key Takeaway

Throat and ear pain when swallowing can happen because the throat and ear share nerve pathways.

Common causes include cold, flu, tonsillitis, strep throat, ear infection, Eustachian tube dysfunction, sinusitis, reflux, TMJ, dental infection, mouth ulcers, and quinsy.

Mild pain may improve with fluids, soft foods, rest, and safe pain relief.

But get urgent care if you cannot swallow, cannot breathe well, are drooling, have severe one-sided swelling, have trouble opening your mouth, have a fever, have a stiff neck, have confusion, or have symptoms that get worse quickly.

If pain lasts for weeks, keeps coming back, or comes with a neck lump, weight loss, hearing loss, ear discharge, or voice change, get checked.

 

Sources

• NHS — Sore Throat
• NHS — Tonsillitis
• NHS — Ear Infections
• NHS Inform — Tonsillitis
• nidirect — Quinsy
• Cleveland Clinic — Sore Throat
• Cleveland Clinic — Sore Throat and Ear Pain
• Cleveland Clinic — Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
• Cleveland Clinic — Painful Swallowing
• Mayo Clinic — Strep Throat Symptoms and Causes
• Mayo Clinic — Esophagitis