As many as 70% of children are estimated to have experienced an ear infection at least once by the age of three. In addition, many adults also experience ear infections and pain. Although serious ear pain requires medical attention because it can cause permanent hearing loss, minor ear problems can often be treated at home using medical advice, or home remedies that have been used for centuries. However, don't use home remedies as a substitute for medical advice. If you have doubts about a particular suggestion or course of action, consult your doctor.
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Part 1 of 3: Using Proven Medical Advice
Step 1. Use heat to relieve earache
The pain can be relieved quickly with heat.
- Give a warm compress on the sore ear. You can make your own warm compress using a washcloth soaked in hot water and wring it out, or you can use a hot compress bottle or heating bag that you can buy at the pharmacy. Do not use compresses that are too hot, which can injure your skin. You can put the compress on your ear for as long as you like. You can also try cooling it with ice first. Simply place an ice pack on the area for 15 minutes. Then, apply a warm compress for another 15 minutes. Repeat two to three times.
- Position the hairdryer an arm's length from your ear and run it on a warm or low setting. Do not use hot or high temperatures.
Step 2. Use over-the-counter pain relievers
Good pain relievers include ibuprofen and paracetamol. Follow all instructions for use on the packaging.
Note that the dose of medication for children usually depends on their weight. Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age. Aspirin use in children has been linked to a rare but dangerous condition, Reye's syndrome, which causes brain and kidney damage
Step 3. Visit a doctor
If earache symptoms last for more than 5 days (in adults), or more than 2 days (in children), experienced by children under 8 weeks of age, accompanied by stiff neck or fever, see a doctor immediately. Although it often occurs, if left unchecked, ear pain can develop into a very serious infection and cause other complications.
- If the cause of the earache is bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and analgesics to relieve the pain.
- Untreated ear infections can lead to permanent hearing loss. So, you should seek medical attention if the symptoms worsen or do not subside.
Part 2 of 3: Trying Unproven Home Treatments
Step 1. Clean the nose
Ear pain is often caused by an accumulation of fluid trapped in the Eustachian tube, a small tube that connects the ear, nose, and throat. By clearing your nose, you can reduce pressure on the eardrum.
- Try putting a little salt water into the nostrils of the children and continue sucking it.
- You can use a suction device or the Nose Frida to get the fluid out of your nose.
Step 2. Gently shake the ear
Ear pain can create pressure in the Eustachian tube, and this can be relieved by slightly opening it (similar to air pressure in an airplane). This step allows fluid trapped in the ear canal to drain again.
Use your thumb and index finger to bring your outer ear toward your head. Then, gently pull and rotate the ear as much as possible without causing pain. You can also try to yawn as it has a similar effect to opening the Eustachian tube
Step 3. Breathe in the soothing vapors
Hot steam can help drain fluid in the Eustachian tube (which will come out as mucus) thereby reducing pressure on the inner ear. The addition of certain medications or fragrances in the steam can provide extra benefits such as mild anesthesia for earaches.
- Prepare for steam therapy by pouring a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil or a teaspoon of Vicks or similar balsam into a bowl of boiling water.
- Place a towel over your head and inhale the steam through your nose 3 times a day until the earache subsides. This will also help open the Eustachian tube, reduce pressure, and help drain fluid from inside the ear.
- Do not give this treatment to children as they may get burns or even drown in water. Instead, rub a small amount of Vicks BabyRub (which is specially formulated for babies and toddlers) onto their chest or back. Then, turn on the hot water tap in the bathroom and hold the baby there, or let him play in the bathroom while the hot water tap is on. The water vapor in the bathroom will mix with the medicinal vapors and provide a soothing effect.
Step 4. Try using olive oil
To relieve pain, pour a few drops of warm olive oil into the ear. This oil is efficacious to relieve irritation of the inner ear.
- To warm up the oil, you can first put the bottle in a small glass of warm water for a few minutes. Drop the oil directly into the ear, then cover it gently with a cotton ball.
- If this method will be used on a baby, try it while he is napping so that his head can be tilted and the oil does not come out. You should never cover baby's ears with cotton balls.
- Be aware that there is no peer-reviewed evidence that this method really works, except for the mere placebo effect.
Step 5. Use garlic oil and mullein flower oil
Garlic is known to be efficacious as an antibiotic and is thought to be a natural anesthetic.
- You can buy garlic oil and mullein flower oil on Amazon or a local health store.
- Warm the oil (make sure it's not too hot by dripping it on your wrist first). Then, use a dropper to put a few drops of the oil into the ear twice a day.
- Again, this approach is not supported by any peer-reviewed evidence.
Step 6. Try lavender oil
While lavender oil should not be put directly into the ear, you can massage it on the outside of the ear. The use of this oil is thought to improve blood circulation and fluid flow in the inner ear. In addition, the aroma is soothing.
- Mix a few drops of lavender oil with a few drops of a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut or olive oil), then massage gently into the outer ear as needed throughout the day.
- Other essential oils that are thought to relieve pain and improve circulation include eucalyptus, rosemary, oregano, chamomile, tea tree, and thyme oils.
- This method is only supported by evidence of user experience. There is no research that supports the health benefits of essential oils.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Ear Pain
Step 1. Avoid cold viruses
One of the most common causes of earaches is a cold. Although there is no drug that can fight the virus yet, you can take preventive steps to avoid an attack early on.
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after spending time in public and before eating. If a sink is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead. Cold viruses are known to be very strong and can live for hours on surfaces. So even if you don't see anyone who looks sick, you may still be infected with this virus just from visiting a library or convenience store.
- Exercise regularly. Those who exercise regularly have a healthier immune response so they are better able to fight infections and ward off cold viruses.
- Live a balanced diet rich in vitamins. Eat fresh, nutrient-rich foods, especially low-fat protein, vegetables, and fruits. The content of phytochemical compounds in plants such as peppers, oranges, and green leafy vegetables can also help the body absorb vitamins. So, you should choose natural foods to get vitamins that strengthen the body's immune system.
Step 2. Check for allergies
Allergic reactions can cause itching and ear pain. These reactions range from allergies to the environment to food.
Call your doctor to schedule an allergy test, which may include a blood test or a skin prick test. This test will provide information on what allergies may be causing irritation to the ear, such as allergies to weeds, pets, or dairy products
Step 3. Prevent ear infections in babies
Ear infections in infants are common, but can be prevented or minimized with certain breastfeeding techniques.
- Vaccination of children. One of the main causes of ear infections can be prevented by routine vaccination.
- Try to give breast milk for the first 12 months of the baby's age. Breast milk contains antibodies that have been known to reduce ear infections. So, breastfed babies are less likely to have earaches than formula-fed babies.
- If your baby is feeding from a bottle, be sure to position him or her at a 45-degree angle. Never let the baby suckle in a lying position flat on the bed as this can cause fluid to accumulate in the inner ear and trigger ear pain. Try to stop using a bottle and switch to a drinking cup when your baby is between 9 and 12 months old to reduce the risk of ear infections from bottle use.
Warning
- Inserting any object into the ear can cause serious side effects such as worsening of the infection or hearing loss (either temporary or permanent).
- Place a cotton swab in the ear canal when bathing or bathing.
- Place a bowl of hot water in the sink during steam therapy to prevent it from spilling out and hurting you.
- Do not insert fluid into the ear if you suspect or believe that there is a perforation of the eardrum.
- Never insert a cotton swab into the inner ear as it can puncture the eardrum.
- Try to avoid foods that often cause allergies such as wheat, dairy products, corn, oranges, peanut butter, and all kinds of simple carbohydrates, including sugar, fruit, and fruit juices.
