Have you ever had ear pain? Besides being annoying and very annoying, this problem may actually be a symptom of a more serious illness, such as an ear infection. However, don't worry as ear pain can be relieved quickly using some of the methods recommended in this article. However, even if the symptoms of ear pain can be relieved on their own, still see a doctor if symptoms or more serious problems appear.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Quick Pain Relief
Step 1. Inhale the steam for quick ear relief
Put a humidifier or humidifier in the room, or turn on the hot water in a tightly closed bathroom and stay there. Breathe in the steam for a few minutes or until the ear pain subsides.
This method is especially useful for relieving pain caused by a cold
Step 2. Rest your ear on a warm pad to relieve pain
To do this, simply place the warm pad on a flannel, pillow, or other comfortable place, then lie down on your side by placing the painful ear on the warm pad for a few minutes or until the symptoms subside.
- If you want, you can also use chilled flannel.
- Flannels or warm pads can be purchased at a variety of online stores or local pharmacies.
Step 3. Use the Valsalva maneuver if the pain is caused by pressure on the eardrum in the aircraft
If you've recently traveled by plane, your ear pain is most likely caused by changes in air pressure as the plane's altitude changes. To fix this, try pinching your nose and closing your mouth tightly, then pretending to blow your nose. Your symptoms should start to subside after that.
To prevent pressure build-up in the ears when the plane's altitude changes, try chewing gum during flight
Step 4. Soften the texture of the earwax with olive oil or almond oil
If ear pain is accompanied by difficulty hearing, the most likely cause is a buildup of wax in the ear. Therefore, try dripping 2-3 drops of oil into the ear canal. Do this treatment twice a day for a few days, or until your ears feel more spacious. If there are no positive results after 2 weeks, immediately see a doctor.
While the results are not instant, your ears should feel better in an instant if the pain is caused by a buildup of wax
Step 5. Sleep with your head higher than your heart to reduce pain
Add 1-2 pillows to support your body while sleeping. If the ear pain is caused by an infection, this method can help drain the extra fluid that has built up in the ear. If you just want to take a nap, try doing it on a comfortable reclining chair or sofa.
Method 2 of 3: Preventing Further Problems from Occurring
Step 1. Protect your ears with a hat or special covering device when traveling outdoors
Cold air may make your ears hurt even more. Therefore, always wear earplugs or a hat to provide extra protection, and make sure the ear area is completely covered before leaving the house.
Step 2. Do not insert a foreign object into the ear
Try not to insert a cotton swab or other sharp or blunt object into the ear canal, especially since this behavior risks further damage to the ear condition. If you think you have an ear infection or other condition, such as swimmer's ear syndrome, don't forget to ask your general practitioner or ENT specialist to treat it.
Be careful, cleaning the ear with a cotton bud actually has far more disadvantages than benefits
Step 3. Don't let your ears get wet
Be careful when bathing or bathing so that no water gets into the ear canal. After bathing, dry your ears properly until no water remains. If water gets in already, use a soft towel to dry it.
If you wish, you can also turn on the blow dryer on a low setting and point it at the ear canal to evaporate any adhering water. However, do not forget to leave about 30 cm between the mouth of the hair dryer and your ear canal. Do this process for a few minutes or until the ear is completely dry
Step 4. Be careful when applying ear pain medication which is considered popular by most people
In particular, make sure you apply medical treatment methods first before using popular, but unproven, natural methods, such as using onions. Most of the popular natural methods are actually not supported by adequate scientific evidence. As a result, success is not guaranteed. Instead, just use natural methods that are widely recommended, such as using warm compresses.
Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Treatment
Step 1. See a doctor if you or your child has a fever or other serious symptoms
Ear pain is actually a common health disorder and nothing to worry about. However, if the pain is accompanied by a fever or other serious symptoms, you or your child will most likely need immediate medical attention. Therefore, don't hesitate to see a doctor if you have symptoms such as fever, chills, pain in both ears, discharge from the ears, sensation of blockage in the ear, hearing loss, sore throat, and vomiting.
Step 2. Seek medical attention if the pain lasts for more than 3 days
Ideally, minor ear pain will go away on its own after 1 or 2 days. That is why, if the ear pain does not go away after 2-3 days, immediately consult a doctor because you will most likely need medical help.
The doctor will examine your condition to determine the appropriate diagnosis and treatment method. Discuss all possible treatment options with your doctor, which may include natural treatment methods
Variation:
If your child has ear pain, it's best to take him to the doctor 1 day after the symptoms appear, or as soon as possible if the symptoms are severe.
Step 3. Seek immediate medical attention after an accident
Sometimes, ear pain is triggered by an injury or accident, such as after hitting your head. If you experience this situation, immediately consult a doctor or come to the nearest Emergency Unit (ER)!
Chances are, your ears will feel sore, buzzing, or ringing after the injury. Immediately check these symptoms to the doctor
Step 4. Consult an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist to treat persistent pain
In some cases, ear pain symptoms can last for 1-2 weeks and of course, risk impacting your quality of life in terms of working, driving, eating, and sleeping. If this condition also afflicts you, you should immediately consult an ENT specialist to find out the cause. Get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment recommendations from the doctor!
- An ENT specialist may prescribe ear drops or other medications to relieve pain in your ear.
- To treat ear pain in children, doctors usually insert a tube into the ear canal to suck out the fluid that triggers the infection. The procedure is actually simple and quite common to do.
Tips
- Use a decongestant if ear pain is caused by a cold or a cold.
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen are a great option for quick and easy pain relief
