Earache Remedies For Kids
Since children are especially prone to ear infections, given their smaller eustachian tubes, there are some medications on the market specifically for earaches in kids. Drugstores sell pain-relieving eardrops that can help your child feel better if their earache is due to a cold or flu, swimmers ear, or allergies.
In addition, childrens formula acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used as earache remedies to help ease discomfort from inflammation in kids 6 months or older. Be sure to consult your childs pediatrician before giving an kind ofanti-inflammatory medication and avoid aspirin for children under 16.
Can I Treat An Ear Infection At Home
You can treat some outer and middle ear infections at home with remedies and over-the-counter medication for symptoms like pain and inflammation.
Swimmers ear home treatment
Usually, prolonged and recurrent immersion in water causes outer ear infections. The primary treatment for swimmers ear is to avoid getting water in the ear canal until the ear pain is gone.
An outer ear infection may take several days to heal, but the pain usually is gone within one week. Moreover, the warmer the water, the higher the likelihood of getting swimmers ear, for example, people who swim in the summer are more likely to develop an outer ear infection than wintertime surfers.
Middle ear infection home treatment
Numerous studies have shown that viruses cause middle ear infections. Pain management for ear pain for two or three days will allow the bodys natural immune system to fight and cure the infection, much like the common cold. However, some people with middle ear infections may need to see a doctor or other health-care professional for medical treatment.
Inner ear infection and labyrinthitis home treatment
Inner ear infections and labyrinthitis usually treat inner ear infections in adults and children.
Antibiotics and outer ear infections
Antibiotics and middle ear infections
Antibiotics and inner ear infections
- Inner ear infections are rare, and usually need to be treated by an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist.
Hot Salt Wrapped In A Cloth
Salt is one of the most readily available home remedies for dealing with pain in the ear. All you have to do here is take a small cup of salt, heat it properly, then wrap it in a cloth and seal the end of the cloth by tying a knot.
Now, lay down and place the cloth with hot salt on the affected ear for a couple of minutes .
Repeat this process a few times daily to relieve you from the pain and swelling in the ear. Alternatively, you could also use rice in place of salt for the same purpose.
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How To Get Rid Of An Earache Fast
It doesnt matter how old you are earaches hurt. And since most earaches are not the result of a bacterial infection, antibiotics wont help get you better.
But you dont have to take a wait-and-see approach.
There are several earache treatment methods that can help to reduce your symptoms, including the pain and swelling youre experiencing.
Homeopathic Remedies For Dog Ear Infections
You can use homeopathic remedies for acute or minor ear flare-ups. Choose the remedy below that best matches your dogs symptoms. Use a 30C potency.
Belladonna Use Belladonna when the ears are very hot and inflamed. Your dog may be impatient and irritable.
Pulsatilla This remedy is helpful for acute flare-ups. Often with sensitivity and redness, along with a yellowish discharge. Pulsatilla animals like to sit near open windows, hate getting their paws wet and wont go out in the rain. They also tend to have a very sweet disposition.
Hepar Sulphuris Hepar sulph is useful for irritable animals who dont like to have their inflamed ears touched.
Follow the acute dosing instructions in this article.
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Use Breast Milk If Youre Still Breastfeeding
Trying to find remedies for babys whose immune systems are still developing is hard. Doctors dont want to prescribe medication if they can help it. Your breasts will have the best cure for your baby. Yes, breast milk is a powerful treatment option. Its one of the big reasons why doctors recommend mothers breastfed their babies for the first 12 months .
If you are breastfeeding, consider expressing some of your breast milk for a natural cure for ear infections. The breast milk is full of antibodies that are completely made by you. These antibodies will speed your childs natural healing process. Youre not fighting the infection, but youre encouraging the babys immune system to kick start and get rid of the infection instead.
The breast milk also has some anti-inflammatory properties. Youll find that the swelling goes down, boosting the healing benefits.
This works best when the milk is dropped straight into the ears. You can also rub it gently around the ears, although the sensitivity due to the inflammation may be too much for your child to allow the touch on the ears. You can use this remedy every few hours.
Breast milk isnt just good for children. It can be used on adults if you choose to. Its also good for other minor wounds and some eye infections!
What Natural Or Home Remedies Soothe And Provide Earache Pain Relief
Earaches may often be treated at home. The goal is to decrease inflammation and pain.
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How To Get Rid Of Ear Infection
While some cases require medical attention, most ear infections clear on their own. Rest and some home remedies will usually do the trick.
1. Holding a Warm Piece of Cloth over the Ear
Applying a warm compress relieves pain. You can do this in the following ways:
- Dip a piece of cloth in warm water, drain and hold it over the affected ear.
- Microwave a clean sock filled with either rice or beans for about 25 seconds and hold it on the ear.
- Alternatively, do the same with one cup of salt. Heat some salt and put it in a bean bag. Place it on the infected ear while lying down making sure that the temperature is not too high to make you uncomfortable. The heated salt will draw out any fluid from the infected ear and subsequently reduce pain and swelling.
- Do this for 10-15 minutes every day until the pain subsides.
2. Garlic
Garlic is an effective natural remedy for ear infection. It has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. You can use garlic in any of the following ways:
- Start by eating one or two cloves of fresh garlic every day to boost immunity and fight the infection.
- Crush a few cloves of boiled cloves add some salt before placing them in a clean piece of cloth and putting it on the affected ear.
- Fry some cloves of garlic in mustard oil until they are dark. Strain and leave to cool before putting a few drops into the affected ear using a dropper.
3. Olive Oil
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
You may substitute white vinegar for ACV if thats what you have.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Earache Remedies You Can Try
1. Hot or cold compress
The skinny: Grab an ice or heat pack and put it onthe affected ear to help with the pain.
Doctors advice: The temperature you use is up to you. Wrap it in a towel tomake sure its not too cold or too hot. You dont want to cause any burns.
2.Over-the-counter pain relievers
The skinny: Pain relievers work as advertised, helping take the edge off the pain.
Doctors advice:Both adults and kids can rest easier when they take acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the right dosage. These medications reduce pain and fever, making you feel more comfortable.
3. Sleep position
The skinny: How you sleep can affect ear pain. Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so the affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Or if the left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. Less pressure = less ear pain.
Doctors advice: It could be effective, though a few inches may not make a big difference in pressure measurement. But if it makes you feel better, go for it.
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When To Call The Doctor For An Ear Infection
Some symptoms of an inner ear infection can be the same as a stroke. If you have vomiting, headache, vision changes, fever, weakness in one side of your body, slurred speech or are unable to walk, seek medical care right away.
Infections involving high fever, discharge or bleeding from the ear canal, headache, vomiting, dizziness, loss of hearing, or severe pain should be seen by a doctor. A doctor should see most people with an inner ear infection.
What Are The Different Types Of Ear Infection
Fluid formation in the middle ear usually leads to an ear infection but infection can also be in the outer and inner ear. Few of the main types of ear infection can be outlined as:
1. Outer Ear Infections
One of the most common types of ear infection is swimmers ear. In these cases, the outer covering of the ear canal suffers from a bacterial infection caused by excessive immersion in water, like during swimming, or by external damage caused by swabs, etc.
2. Middle Ear Infections
The common cold is another culprit which causes ear infections. Due to the flu virus, the middle ear, or the hollow cavity in the ear gets filled with pus and causes discomfort and pain. The middle ear infections tend to get cured on their own as the cold gets better, though some home remedies can be applied to ease the symptoms.
3. Inner Ear Infections
The riskiest of all ear infections are inner ear infections. As the inner ear helps in keeping our balance, an infection there affects our balance causing vertigo and a ringing sensation in the ears. Inner ear infections are more common in adults than in kids and can also be assuaged at home, though in certain cases it is advised that proper medical care is taken.
Now that we know why and how ear infections arise, it is time we look at ways to cure the same. Ear infections can be cured using various oils, food items, exercises, etc. which we will be discussing next.
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Swollen Tonsils And Ear Infections
Swollen tonsils are not usually a direct cause of ear infections. Enlarged adenoid tissue in the back of the nose can sometimes put pressure on the Eustachian tubes, preventing them from draining fluid out of the ear. However, they are more likely the source of bacteria that causes ear infections. Sometimes, doctors recommend removal for children who have very large adenoids and frequent ear infections.
What You Can Do To Soothe A Cold Or Ear Infection:
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and head pressure.
- Try a cool-mist humidifier or shower steam to loosen congestion.
- Try over-the-counter saline drops to clear the nose.
- Consider sinus rinses or devices to remove mucus from young childrens noses.
- For children older than age 1, honey in warm water can soothe a cough.
- For older children, an extra pillow under their head can help them sleep better.
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Apple Cider Vinegar With Rubbing Alcohol Ear Drops
This recipe is identical to the one above except it involves rubbing alcohol instead of warm water.
Rubbing alcohol is both antimicrobial and antibacterial. Do not use this method if you have drainage from your ear or think you may have a middle ear infection. Also, do not continue with this mixture if you have any stinging or discomfort when using these drops.
- Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar with rubbing alcohol .
- Apply 5 to 10 drops in each affected ear using a clean dropper bottle or baby syringe.
- Cover your ear with a cotton ball or clean cloth and lean on your side to let drops enter and sit in the ear. Do this for about 5 minutes.
- Repeat this application as often as desired to fight ear infection.
What Type Of Ear Infection Is It
There are two common types of ear infections:
- Otitis media: This ear infection affects the middle ear . Middle ear infections are common in kids and tend to cause trouble hearing, fevers, and pain without much outward signs such as ear drainage or swelling.
- Otitis externa: This infection affects the ear canal, and is commonly known as swimmers ear because water exposure is a risk factor for it. Swimmers ear is painful, too, and tends to have more visible signs such as a swollen ear canal or pus drainage.
There are several home remedies for earaches, says Dr. Nguyen-Huynh. Try these for the first two or three days if symptoms are mild.
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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.
Natural Home Remedies For Ear Infection
Armed with facts and my instincts, I have pursued natural and holistic healthcare and remedies for my family for over a decade now.
Weve treated strep throat, tummy bugs, upper respiratory illness, urinary tract infections, and ear infections with natural home remedies such as herbs, essential oils, homeopathy, and using food as medicine.
One day, the facts and my instincts may very well tell me that its time to trust a medical doctor with the care of someone in my family or myself in which case, Ill listen to both!
Ear infections are one of the easiest maladies to treat naturally and at home, however.
If you suspect an ear infection and still feel a trip to the doctor is necessary, by all means, go! But before you fill that prescription for antibiotics for yourself or your child, give some proven, natural home remedies for ear infection a try.
Here are five natural, no-antibiotic treatments for ear infections that work:
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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
4. Essential Oils
5. Olive Oil
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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