Ear Infection Home Treatments And Remedies
Ear infections can occur in the outer ear , middle ear , and inner ear . Natural and home remedies to treat pain include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- Applying a warm compress on the infected ear.
- Applying naturopathic ear drops with ginger, tea tree, or olive oil may help with pain and inflammation.
Talk with your doctor or pediatrician before using any herbal or naturopathic medicine for ear infections.
When To See A Doctor For Clogged Ears
If the above remedies and tips fail to unblock your ears, consult your doctor immediately. Check if your condition is accompanied by the below symptoms:
- Fever
- Pain in the ear, head, or face
- Swelling in the ear, head, or face
- Symptoms that last for a week or keep recurring
Clogged ears may seem inconveneinet and cause pain and discomfort as well. The above mentioned home remedies, tips, and tricks can help unblock clogged ears safely and easily. Apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, warm compress, and even Vicks VapoRub are some of the common ingredients that can provide you some initial relief from clogged ears.
Maintain Good Ear Health
The maintenance of proper ear health is very important in preventing any kind of ear problems, including itchiness in the ears.
- Dont use cotton swabs to clean the inside of your ear canal. It can ultimately cause more damage than good.
- Regularly clean the outside of your ears using a cotton ball, some warm water, and mild soap. Keeping the outside clean will help keep debris and allergens out of your ear canal.
- Always wear earplugs when swimming to keep water and debris out of your ears and to reduce the risk of an infection in the outer ear canal.
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What Is The Inner Ear
Your inner ear plays an important role in your hearing and balance. Its primary function is to receive sound waves that come in through the outer ear and go through the middle ear, where the sound makes your eardrum vibrate. These vibrations travel to the inner ear, which transmits them to the brain as nerve impulses.
Your inner ear is a labyrinth of fluid-filled tubes and sacs. It has three main parts:
- The cochlea, a shell-shaped structure that sends sound impulses to the brain
- The semicircular canals, which use your heads movement to sense your position in space
- The vestibule, which is your primary balance system
Messages run through this system to the brain by way of the vestibulocochlear nerve. This nerve has two branches. One is responsible for hearing and one for balance. An inner ear infection happens when this nerve or the structures around it get irritated or inflamed.
What Causes Ear Infections
When my first son got an ear infection when he was a few months old, I took him to our family doctor for relief. Ear infections are the second most common childhood illness and they can be serious if they dont resolve, so I wanted to be proactive. Both of my parents have hearing loss, so I wanted to be especially careful to protect his eardrums.
To my surprise, our doctor suggested warm compresses, extra nursing, a few drops of breastmilk in the ear and extra sleep for a few days before trying anything stronger. He explained that not every ear infection needs antibiotics. In fact, he said most resolve on their own with proper support and the overuse of antibiotics can actually cause bigger problems for the child later on as bacteria become increasingly resistant to them.
In hindsight, I am so grateful for a doctor who took this approach and spent the time educating me. We moved to a new town since then, so when our other child was struck with an ear infection last year, I didnt have that doctors sage advice. This time, the child wasnt nursing so breastmilk wasnt an option. The local doc couldnt even get us in for a few days. I considered urgent care but decided to research and try some natural remedies for a day unless things got worse.
Ear infections can be caused by swimming, something lodged in the ear, or other external factors.
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Olive Oil Can Be Beneficial
One of the most well-known home remedies to relieve an itch in the ear is olive oil.
Olive oil helps remove excess earwax and keeps your ear canal adequately lubricated. It can soften the rigid ear wax, thereby facilitating its expulsion from the ear. It also has antiseptic properties that may reduce the risk of ear infection.
A 2013 study published in Practice Nursing reported that regular olive oil lubrication may reduce itching and dryness of the ear canal skin, which often contributes to itching but may also assist in the ears natural cleaning ability and may help with the ears natural wax removal.
How To Use It
If using OTC drops, follow the directions on the label.
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How To Prevent Ear Infection In Adults
Here are some preventive measures that can reduce the risk of ear infections in adults-
- Avoid common colds and other illnesses
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
- Make sure your vaccines are up to date
- Wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs
- Keep the ears clean by washing them or using a cotton swab carefully
- After swimming or taking a shower, make sure the ears are dry
- Avoid triggers to manage allergic reactions. Hence, keep anti-allergens handy.
Sometimes, developing an ear infection becomes inevitable. In addition to this, some infections can only be cured with doctor-prescribed antibiotics. In such cases, it is important to pay the ENT doctor a visit. If you are looking for consulting with a doctor, you can also contact Pristyn Care clinics or simply book an online consultation.
Peppermint Leaves And Oil
Peppermint is quite an underrated plant though it consists of antiseptic, pain relieving, and anti-bacterial properties. It is used for treating the common cold and can also be effective in the case of earache.
Why Does This Work?
Peppermint leaves have a unique smell and also secrete peppermint oil when rubbed together. The peppermint juice from the leaves and the oil consist of anti-inflammatory properties which help in subsiding the ear pain due to infections.
How to Use?
Firstly, fresh peppermint leaves need to be made available and rubbed together. This action would lead to the secretion of peppermint juice, which can be applied to the affected ear using a dropper and should be restricted to only 2-3 drops. The peppermint oil which is also secreted by the leaves should be gently applied around the outer ear to alleviate the pain symptoms.
How Much to Use?
The peppermint juice treatment can be repeated once or twice in the whole day. Care needs to be taken to ensure that the patient does not apply peppermint oil to the eardrum in place of the peppermint juice as the former is quite strong and might sting the inflamed ear.
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Whats The Best Fluid In Ear Remedy For You
The dull ache, irritation, and balance problems that often accompany having fluid in your ears beg to be relieved as they tend to disrupt normal feelings of wellness.
By making use of one or more of the 15 home remedies for fluid in the ear that weve presented, you can get relief from the symptoms as well as the underlying causes. If youve been swimming or taking a bath recently, its important to know how to get water out of the ear. Finally, be sure to leave any questions, comments, or additional home remedies in the comments section below.
Cold Or Hot Compresses For Earaches
A warm compress can get the circulation going and alleviate pain associated with earaches. The cold compress can help lessen the throbbing by reducing inflammation.
Go with whichever earache remedy works for you:
- Washcloth soaked in warm or cool water
- Washcloth straight from a warm dryer or hung by a wood stove
- Rice pillow
- Ice pack wrapped in a towel
- Half of an onion heated gently
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What The American Academy Of Pediatrics Recommends For Earaches
The AAPs most recent guidelines recommend a wait and see approach for most earaches.
However, if your child has the following symptoms, the AAP recommends that they see a doctor:
- Fever over 102 F
- Symptoms persists or worsen after 48-72 hours
- You suspect the eardrum has ruptured
- A child under 6 months has a single ear infection
- A child less than 2 years old has a double ear infection
Want to try earache remedies at home? Read on for some natural earache remedies.
Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of An Ear Infection
Ear infections occur when there is a viral or bacterial infection in the middle ear, which is directly behind the eardrum. The middle ear can become inflamed or fluid can build up in there, which is typically why ear infections are painful. People can either develop chronic or acute ear infections. The former typically does not clear up or it is recurring , while the latter is painful for a short period of time.
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Iii How To Get Rid Of An Ear Infection
Commonly used medicines for middle ear infection are ear drops, pain relieving medicines and antibiotics. Many people arent interested in taking medicines so that they make use of home remedies for middle ear infections that are equally effective and available in their own homes.
The following are proven ways, tips on how to get rid of an ear infection at home quickly. Check out and take advantage of some suitable remedies for your inner ear infections.
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1. Warm Compression
This tip is beneficial for easing throbbing pain in the ear. Dip a small clean washcloth into hot water. Next, wring out extra water from the washcloth. Then, place the warm washcloth over your ear as a soothing relief.
On the other hand, you can pour hot water in a little bottle. Wrap the bottle with a towel. Hold this bottle on your painful area.
Remember not to apply the heat to your ear for long time. Hold it for 5 minutes next remove the heat for some minutes. Then repeat this process as needed.
2. Garlic Juice
Among simple tips on how to get rid of an ear infection, do not miss out garlic juice. This spice includes powerful antibiotic agents so that it help fight off a lot of infections, including middle ear infections.
Garlic also contains antimicrobial properties so that it is highly effective in treating middle ear infections.
Repeat this process daily to speed up the middle ear infection healing process.
3. Salt
5. Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar And Alcohol
Apple cider vinegar has amazing health benefits and using it together with rubbing alcohol is a great way to unclog ears naturally. The ACV mixture also has antibacterial properties that can help to reduce any ear infection that is causing clogged ears. The low pH content of ACV also helps to reduce any itching in and around your ear canal.
Pediatrician Dr. David Hill says that this concoction will soften the troublesome ear wax, allowing it to flow out of the ear more easily.
To use apple cider vinegar and alcohol to remove excess wax from your ears, this is what you should do:
- Mix equal amounts of ACV and rubbing alcohol.
- Put a few drops of this solution in your ear.
- Keep your head sideways, so the ear wax remedy stays in.
- You can also put a piece of cotton ball over your ear to prevent the fluid from dripping out.
- Let it work for 10 minutes to soften the wax buildup.
- Remove the wax carefully from the outer part of your ear with a cotton bud.
You can repeat this remedy 2-3 times if you have a large blockage of ear wax.
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Apple Cider Vinegar: A Natural Cure For Ear Infections
Apple cider vinegar is a common household staple that many families in Huntsville and Madison probably have sitting on a shelf in their pantry. Its uses extend far beyond the kitchen ACV can improve digestion, boost the immune system, leave your bathtub sparkling clean, remove germs and pesticide residue from fruit, add volume to your hair, whiten your teeth, even remove fleas from pets. Its even got proven health benefitsand some swear its a great natural remedy for ear infections.
Use Garlic Oil In Your Ear
Lets start with garlic oil for your ear infection. Garlic is one of the best natural remedies for any infection. It holds antibacterial properties that will kill any bacteria found in your body. It also has antifungal and antiviral properties, helping to improve infections that arent necessarily bacterial. Nothing has been able to gain a resistance against this natural remedy.
You can put garlic cloves into your ear, but you can use garlic oil. Opt for the health store varieties rather than from your local grocery store. You want to make sure that the garlic oil is raw and hasnt had other ingredients placed inside it. The other ingredients can limit the garlic from working.
Most childhood ear infections will be viral based and not bacterial. Garlic oil is safe for use in a childs ear in moderation.
The garlic oil will also help to reduce inflammation within the ear. This helps to speed up the process of healing while preventing the infection and inflammation from getting deeper into the ear.
There shouldnt be any pain when using a few drops of garlic ear. You dont want to massage the oil into the ear, either. Just let it sit and do its work and allow it to drip back out naturally.
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What Home Remedies Relieve Ear Pain And Cure Ear Infections
Natural and over-the-counter nonprescription remedies for ear infections:
Which parts of the ear can become infected?
More Ear Infection Remedies
Top Foods for Ear Infections
- Water: Helps maintain hydration and clear out mucus.
- Wild-caught fish: Omega-3 fats found in wild-caught fish help to reduce inflammation.
- Non-dairy baby formula: If a baby drinks formula, I recommend switching to coconut or goats milk-based formulas which tend to cause fewer allergies. However, breast-feeding is most ideal.
- Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C: Keeps immune system strong, which helps the bodys ability to ward off infection.
Foods to Avoid
- Potential food allergens: Some common allergens include conventional dairy, gluten, shrimp and peanuts.
- Conventional dairy: Pasteurized-cow dairy products can be mucus-producing and worsen infection.
- Sugar: Reduces immune function and encourages inflammation.
- Processed foods: These foods may contain added chemicals and dyes that young children can be sensitive to.
Supplement Ear Infection Remedies
- Garlic oil ear drops Garlic oil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
- Zinc Zinc boosts immune function and promotes healing.
- Vitamin C Vitamin C enhances immune function and lowers inflammation.
- Vitamin D3 Vitamin D3 helps support the immune system.
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What Is An Ear Infection
An ear infection of the middle ear, medically known as acute otitis media, can be caused by a bacteria or virus. Most often, ear infections occur in the middle ear, which is the air-filled space between the eardrum and the oval window of the ear. The middle ear is responsible for transmitting sound from the outer ear to the inner ear.
In addition to a middle ear infection, its also possible to have an outer ear infection like swimmers ear or an inner ear infection. Labyrinthitis is a serious inner ear infection that affects hearing and balance. People with labyrinthitis often experience vertigo and some hearing loss.
If a middle ear infection is bacterial, its most likely the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae causing the infection. A virus can cause also cause ear infections. A a cold or allergies can cause congestion that blocks the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. This congestion can lead to a buildup of fluid and pressure and provides an environment for bacteria or viruses that have traveled up the Eustachian tube into the middle ear to flourish, resulting in an ear infection.
Even the CDC recommends breast-feeding children exclusively for the first six months of their lives and continuing until they are at least 1 year old. Injury to the ear, climate changes, altitude changes, pacifier use, family history of ear infections, and exposure to cigarette smoke are other risk factors.