Sometimes ear infections cause a persistent dull pain; other times, a sharp burning sensation comes and goes. Most of the time, they are nothing to worry about. Learn more about home remedies for an earache pain.
Common help options for earache pain
The most natural treatment is no treatment or the “vigilant waiting” approach. Doctors can choose this for mild cases of otitis media, also known as acute otitis media, in an attempt to let the immune system fight the infection on its own without the help of antibiotics.
Often we do not need to give antibiotics. In general, ear, nose, and throat doctors will look at the infection for about three days. Especially otitis media with effusion (OME) tends to disappear without antibiotics or other treatment. These ear infections result from fluid accumulation in the middle ear and usually have few symptoms.
Painkillers for earaches
If you are experiencing an infection, you will probably have relief from the pain – quickly. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help, although you will always want to check with your doctor to be sure.
Home remedies for treating ear infections
Keep in mind that there is little research to support these treatments. Consult your doctor before trying a new therapy.
Here are six home remedies that can provide some relief:
- People make the hot compresses simply to try to relieve and pull out the inflammation. Place a warm washcloth over the infected ear for 20 minutes to reduce the pain.
- There is no evidence that hot olive oil in the ear works, but it is okay to try if the olive oil is not very hot and there are no holes in the eardrum. If there is no swollen eardrum, olive oil can not cause any damage. It can soothe, or not.
- Applying a few drops of alcohol and vinegar in the infected ear can help people suffering from recurrent infections in the swimmer’s ear (medically called otitis externa), which occur when you have water in the ear canal and bacteria grow.
- A hairdryer can also help people who routinely suffer from swimmers ears (who are not always swimmers – just being out on a windy and rainy day can cause the infection). Pointing a hairdryer at low heat near the ear can help wipe up any moisture in the ear after being in the pool or shower.
- Onions are the secret to curing earache, which is advice that supposedly dates back to the 19th century. One method requires heating an onion at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. Then, when it has cooled, cut the onion in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Have a few drops of the fluid in your ear. Or you can place the onion over the infected ear and squeeze it.
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