Warm Olive Oil For Ear Pain
The olive oil is one of the best essential oils to treat the ear infection.
The olive oil help reduce the irritation of the inner and outer ears. Plus also helps in opening up the Eustachian tube which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx.
Olive oil creates a soothing effect and relieves pain when comes in contact with the swollen eardrum. Regular use of olive oil helps to prevent excessive wax build-up inside the ear.
- Dip a cotton swab in olive oil and squeeze 2 -3 drops of lukewarm oil in the infected ear
- Remain on your side for 5 to 10 minutes so that the oil goes inside the ear
- Wipe out the extra oil that drips from the ear when you sit up
- Repeat the process if required on the other ear
- For removing ear wax repeat this once in a day for one or two weeks
- Whereas for treating ear infection repeat this twice a day for two to three days
When To See A Doctor For An Earache
Sometimes no amount of self-care or over-the-counter medication can help an ear infection. Knowing when to see a doctor can help further complications from developing.
If your earache is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever or hearing loss, you should see a doctor. You might be referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
In some cases, people with a chronic ear infection may need to have surgery. Doctors can put small tubes into the eardrum that will help prevent ear infections. The tubes allow air to flow into the middle ear and fluid to drain.
Leaving an ear infection untreated can cause the infection to spread or cause permanent problems with balance and hearing loss.
Home Remedies For Ear Pain In 2020
June 19, 2020 by brenda
Ear pain can happen due to multiple different reasons. So, before moving to home remedies for ear pain. first, check the major causes of ear pain.
Causes of ear pain are
- Infection in the ear canal
- Ear blockage due to plugs of earwax
- A foreign object trapped in the ear
- Injury inside the ear
- Building up of fluid inside the ear or eardrum
here are 11 home remedies to cure ear pain in 2020
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Onion Juice As Home Remedy For Earn Pain
The antibacterial, healing and anti-inflammatory properties of onion help to quickly soothe and calm the infected ear.
Onion juice has the ability to soften the ear wax, making it easier to remove. Onion juice also helps in drawing the extra fluid out from the ear and heals the infection fast.
Onion contains the two compounds flavonoids and alkenyl cysteine sulfoxides which are responsible for the beneficial health properties of onion.
How to use
- Wrap the onion in a warm cloth
- Hold the cloth over the infected ear for 5 to 10 minutes
- Repeat this several times a day
- Extract the juice of half grated onion
- Heat it over low flame
- Put 2 -3 drops into the infected ear
- You can repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times a day
Otitis Media In Adults
Otitis media is another name for a middle ear infection. It means an infection behind your eardrum. This kind of ear infection can happen after any condition that keeps fluid from draining from the middle ear. These conditions include allergies, a cold, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection.
Middle ear infections are common in children, but they can also happen in adults. An ear infection in an adult may mean a more serious problem than in a child. So you may need additional tests. If you have an ear infection, you should see your healthcare provider for treatment. If they happen repeatedly, you should see an otolaryngologist or an otologist .
What are the types of middle ear infections?
Infections can affect the middle ear in several ways. They are:
Who is more likely to get a middle ear infection?
You are more likely to get an ear infection if you:
- Smoke or are around someone who smokes
- Have seasonal or year-round allergy symptoms
- Have a cold or other upper respiratory infection
What causes a middle ear infection?
The middle ear connects to the throat by a canal called the eustachian tube. This tube helps even out the pressure between the outer ear and the inner ear. A cold or allergy can irritate the tube or cause the area around it to swell. This can keep fluid from draining from the middle ear. The fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses can grow in this fluid. The bacteria and viruses cause the middle ear infection.
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How Can Earaches And Ear Pain Be Prevented
Swimmer’s ear
Many cases of otitis externa may be prevented by decreasing the opportunity for water or moisture to enter the ear canal by taking the following measures.
- Carefully dry the ears after swimming or bathing
- Shake out excess water in the ear.
- Hold a hair drier on a low heat setting at least 12 inches from the ear
- Wear earplugs while swimming.
Pain in the outer ear also can be caused by putting objects into the ear canal.
- Do not use objects to clean the ear that may tear the skin. Most people have ears that are self-cleansing, and cleaning with a cotton-tipped swab is unnecessary and potentially harmful. People who have excess wax buildup should have it removed by a health-care professional who can remove the debris under direct vision using an otoscope or with ear irrigation.
- Occasionally, a foreign object such as an insect can cause inflammation and pain, and will need to be removed by a health-care professional.
Middle ear
- Minimize exposure of infants and children to others with colds or upper respiratory infections. This may require altering day care visit patterns.
- Avoid bottle feeding in the supine position.
- Babies who are breastfed for the first 6 months have a decreased risk of developing ear infections.
- Eliminate pacifier use after 6 months of age.
How You Can Use Oregano Oil For A Quick Relief
Using oregano oil for an ear infection can facilitate a fast relief by massaging your outer ear with a mixture of oregano oil. You can mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage the back of the ear and neck area with an upward movement.
Also, you can also massage the front of the ear close to the jawline gently to enable the oil to penetrate, absorb into the tissues, and facilitate circulation. Massaging 3-4 times a day is good for faster relief.
A cotton bud can be used to clean the outer and external ear area. Avoid going deep into the ear canal and stay away from your eardrum.
You can also drop 5-6 drops of oregano oil in a bowl of hot water for a steaming process. You will need a towel to trap the steam by placing over your head and over the bowl and inhale the steam.
For an instant relief, you can cautiously use both methods and ingest oregano oil to fight the bacteria and virus from within. A good practice can be to add 2-3 drops of oregano oil in a glass of water or juice if you are not comfortable with the taste of oregano and drink internally.
There exist oregano capsules which can be taken internally. But you are advised not to exceed over 600mg a day and should be taken in 2-3 doses in a day.
You can mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and fill it in a gelatin capsule to use internally.
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Risk Factors Or Side Effects Associated With The Use Of Garlic
Garlic constitutes compounds that are pungent and strong in nature. Even though they have a plethora of benefits the compounds present in it may cause a little discomfort when applied to the skin.
There is a risk that garlic may cause a stinging or burning sensation on the skin, which often ends up causing redness in the area where it was applied. So, in people whose skin is highly sensitive, a few drops of garlic or garlic-based products should be tested on the skin before applying it as a remedy.
Infections Inside The Ear
Antibiotics are not usually offered because infections inside the ear often clear up on their own and antibiotics make little difference to symptoms, including pain.
Antibiotics might be prescribed if:
- an ear infection does not start to get better after 3 days
- you or your child has any fluid coming out of the ear
- you or your child has an illness that means theres a risk of complications, such as cystic fibrosis
They may also be prescribed if your child is less than 2 years old and has an infection in both ears.
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How Do Ear Infections Happen
A middle ear infection usually happens because of swelling in one or both of the eustachian tubes . The tubes let mucus drain from the middle ear into the throat.
A cold, throat infection, acid reflux, or allergies can make the eustachian tubes swell. This blocks the mucus from draining. Then, or grow in the mucus and make pus, which builds up in the middle ear.
When doctors refer to an ear infection, they usually mean otitis media rather than swimmer’s ear . Otitis media with effusion is when noninfected fluid builds up in the ear. It might not cause symptoms, but in some kids, the fluid creates a sensation of ear fullness or “popping.”
Key Points About Ear Infection Remedies
- Ear infections tend to occur in young children, but they can affect anyone.
- Ear infections can either be viral or bacterial. Treating a viral ear infection with conventional antibiotics typically is ineffective and includes undesirable side effects.
- Do ear infections clear up on their own? Yes, they certainly can, especially when you do what you can to boost your or your childs immune system!
7 Natural Remedies for Ear Infections
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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.
Peppermint Oil And Leaves
Peppermint possesses a unique mix of antiseptic, anti-bacterial and pain relieving properties, which can help treat ear infections and associated symptoms. Application of 2 to 3 drops of the liquid obtained from crushed peppermint leaves inside the ear, along with the application of the oil around the ear is excellent for clearing up an infection faster. Be careful to not be mistaken and use the oil inside the ear, as it can burn significantly.
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When Should You See A Doctor For An Ear Infection
You dont want to sit with ear pain for long. If youve tried at-home remedies, youre not getting relief, or your symptoms have gotten worse, Dr. Kozin says its time to talk to your doctor immediately. Youll also definitely want to see someone if you have drainage from your ear, hearing loss, ringing in your ears, or dizziness, he says.
Is It Safe To Use
While olive oil is generally safe, there are a few precautions you should take when using it in your ears.
Dont use olive oil or any other product in the ear if you have a ruptured ear drum. If youre not sure if you have a ruptured ear drum, see your doctor before using any remedy in your ear, including natural remedies.
Dont place cotton swabs or any other object inside the ear to remove wax or relieve itching. This can easily damage your ear drum or push wax deeper into your ear. Putting cotton swabs in your ear also increases your risk of developing an ear infection. Its also responsible for sending thousands of children to the emergency room with ear injuries each year.
Finally, make sure to use only room-temperature or just slightly warmed olive oil to avoid burning the delicate skin in your ear.
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When To See Your Doctor
Trapped water usually goes away without treatment. If it bothers you, consider trying one of these home treatments to help relieve your discomfort. But if the water is still trapped after 2 to 3 days or if you show signs of infection, you should call your doctor.
If your ear becomes inflamed or swollen, you may have developed an ear infection. An ear infection can become serious if you dont get treatment for it. It may lead to hearing loss or other complications, such as cartilage and bone damage.
Your doctor can prescribe medications to eliminate infection and relieve pain.
Essential Oil Ear Ache Treatment Rub
This recipe is adapted from the book Be Your Own Doctor by Rachel Weaver, M.H.. Remember, do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin always use a carrier oil. I dont recommend this as an earache remedy for small children, who may rub their ears and then rub the oil into their eyes.
Essential Oil Earache Rub
Mix all ingredients and apply gently around the ears at the first sign of infection. Reduces infection and relieves inflammation.
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What Causes Ear Infections
Ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses that create inflammation of the middle ear when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. In children, they usually start when the child has a sore throat, cold, or other upper-respiratory infection.
According to the American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are thought to cause 50 to 60 percent of cases of otitis media. Before the vaccine for it became available, each pneumococcal infection caused:
- about 5 million ear infections
- more than 700 cases of meningitis
- 13,000 blood infections and
- other health problems, including pneumonia, deafness, and brain damage.
Perforated Eardrum
Also known as a punctured eardrum, a perforated eardrum is a break or hole in the eardrum, most commonly caused by an ear infection, physical damage, or a loud noise. Looking and functioning like the covering on a drum, the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, protects the delicate middle and inner ear from harmful elements. Rupturing this delicate membrane can lead to pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or ear drainage. While not always preventable, trauma-induced instances can be avoided by not inserting foreign objects into the ear canal.
Though they do occur in adults, ear infections with resultant eardrum perforations occur more frequently in children. An ear infection can cause fluid to build up in the middle-ear space, creating pressure on the eardrum and leading to rupture.
When To See A Doctor About An Earache
Dr. Nguyen-Huynh recommends seeing a doctor if:
- Yoursymptoms remain after twoor three days, even if youve tried over-the-counter or home remedies.
- Yourear is very painful, oryou have other symptoms that bother you.
Other common conditions, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction , can masquerade as earache infections. TMJ causes ear pain because the ear canal and the jaw joint share a nerve. If you have ear pain along with trouble chewing, talking or yawning, then you should see a dentist or TMJ expert to be sure youre treating the right condition, notes Dr. Nguyen-Huynh.
The good news? Hot and cold compresses and OTC pain relievers can also help relieve TMJ pain until you sort things out.
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Home Care To Relieve Ear Pain
If you have ear pain, itâs a good idea to talk with your doctor about it.
Thereâs little research to say whether or not home care works, but most doctors agree these treatments are safe to try yourself:
A cool or warm compress. Soak a washcloth in either cool or warm water, wring it out, and then put it over the ear that’s bothering you. Try both temperatures to see if one helps you more than the other.
A heating pad: Lay your painful ear on a warm, not hot, heating pad.
Over-the-counter ear drops with pain relievers. If they help at all, itâs only briefly. You shouldnât use these drops if your eardrum has a tear or hole, so check with your doctor first.
Pain reliever. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can often relieve the pain of an earache. Ask your doctor which is right for you.
Chew gum. If youâre on an airplane or driving at high altitudes and your ear pain is from the change in air pressure, chew some gum. It can help lower that pressure and ease your symptoms.
Sleep upright. While it may sound strange, resting or sleeping sitting up rather than lying down can encourage fluid in your ear to drain. This could ease pressure and pain in your middle ear. Prop yourself up in bed with a stack of pillows, or sleep in an armchair thatâs a bit reclined.