How can I treat an earache at home?
Ear infections are the most common cause of earaches and pain, but there are other common causes as well.
Ear pain (otalgia) is most common in children, but it can also occur in adults. Primary otalgia is pain that begins inside the ear, whereas secondary otalgia is pain that begins outside the ear. the right up arrow
Ear pain can develop gradually or suddenly. Pain can be dull, sharp, or burning, and it can be temporary or chronic. The pain usually appears in only one ear, but it can appear in both ears at times.
Nine home remedies for earache
If an earache is not severe, or if a person is awaiting medical treatment, they may want to try home remedies to relieve pain.
Here are nine effective home remedies for people suffering from ear pain:
- Medications available over-the-counter
Anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate pain and discomfort.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can temporarily relieve earache pain. People suffering from ear pain can try:
ibuprofen
acetaminophen
aspirin
It is critical to remember that giving aspirin to babies and young children is not safe. This is due to the possibility of Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.
Before giving over-the-counter drugs to a child under the age of two, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that parents consult with a doctor.
These medications can have serious side effects in infants and young children. It should also be noted that the dosage for children is frequently significantly lower than the proper dosage for adults.
- Heat
Heat from an electric heating pad or hot pack can help reduce ear inflammation and pain.
For 20 minutes, place a hot pad in the ear. People should use the hot pad to massage their neck and throat for the best results.
The heating pad should not be too hot. People should never sleep with a heating pad, and children should never use a hot pack without adult supervision
- Cold
An earache can be relieved with a cold pack.
Wrap ice in paper towels or freeze a cold pack before covering with a light cloth. For 20 minutes, apply this to the ear and the area immediately beneath the ear.
The cold should not hurt, and parents should never directly apply ice to their children’s skin.
Some people find that heat provides more relief than cold. Alternating hot and cold packs (20 minutes hot followed by 20 minutes cold) provides the best pain relief for others.
- ear drops
Ear drops can relieve ear pressure caused by fluid and earwax.
Before using ear drops on a child, parents should carefully read the instructions and consult with a doctor.
People should only use ear drops for a few days because they are not a substitute for prescription ear drops or antibiotics. People should see a doctor if their symptoms return.
It is critical to remember that ear drops should not be used on a child who has tubes in their ears or whose eardrum has ruptured
- Therapeutic massage
Massage can relieve ear pain that radiates from the jaw or teeth or causes a tension headache.
People can massage the tender area as well as the muscles around it. Massage the jaw and neck muscles, for example, if the area behind the ear hurts.
Massage may also alleviate the discomfort of an ear infection.
Apply downward pressure starting just behind the ears and moving down the neck.
Working forward to the front of the ears, continue to apply downward pressure.
This massage may help drain excess fluid from the ears and keep the pain from worsening.
- Garlic
A garlic clove a day may help prevent ear infections.
Garlic has long been used to treat pain in folk medicine. According to some research, it has antimicrobial properties that can help fight infection.
It should not be used in place of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Instead, consider incorporating garlic into an antibiotic regimen to expedite relief.
Eat a clove of garlic every day to prevent ear infections.
Garlic ear drops may also help to relieve pain and keep an infection from spreading. Cook two or three cloves until brown in two tablespoons mustard or sesame seed oil, then strain the mixture. Then, apply one or two drops to each ear.
- Onions
Onions, like garlic, can help fight infection and relieve pain. Onions, like garlic, are not a substitute for medical care.
Microwave an onion for about a minute or two. Then strain the liquid and place several drops in each ear. A person should lie down for 10 minutes and then allow the liquid to drain from the ear. Repeat as necessary.
- suckling
Sucking can help reduce pressure in the Eustachian tubes, which can provide some relief.
Nursing babies may feel better if they are allowed and encouraged to nurse as frequently as possible. Hard candy or cough drops can be sucked by both adults and children.
- Breast milk
Antimicrobial properties are found in breast milk. According to some research, a mother’s breast milk changes depending on the microbes to which her baby is exposed.
Breast milk is therefore most effective in babies. However, some sources claim that breast milk can help adults as well. To reap the greatest benefits from breast milk, infants and children should continue to nurse.
Topical application of breast milk may also be beneficial in nursing babies, children, and adults. Even if it doesn’t, breast milk is unlikely to cause serious complications.
People can try putting a few drops of breast milk in each ear and repeating the procedure every few hours if necessary.
Causes of ear pain
The most common cause of ear pain is an infection. When the ear becomes infected, inflammation and pressure buildup cause excruciating pain.
Because infections from nearby areas can affect the ear, people with ear infections frequently have other symptoms such as sinus pressure or a sore throat. An ear infection can also be treated as a separate condition. The majority of ear infections are caused by bacteria rather than viruses.
An ear infection can only be diagnosed by a doctor. People should not take antibiotics without a prescription, nor should they assume that their symptoms are the result of an ear infection.
Earaches, on the other hand, are not always caused by an ear infection. Other conditions can also cause ear pain.
These are some examples:
Referred pain can occur as a result of infections or inflammation elsewhere in the body. A toothache, for example, may cause aching pain in the ear.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is one example of a chronic condition.
If the skin infection is in or around the ear.
Allergic reactions can occur from a variety of sources, including soap, shampoo, and earrings.
Water: If it becomes trapped in the ear, it can cause pain.
Pressure: Changes in altitude can affect ear pressure. This usually clears up on its own, with a popping sensation.
Ear infections can spread to the jaw and other parts of the body if left untreated. They can also harm the ear and cause dangerously high fevers.
When symptoms of an ear problem appear and do not go away after a day or two, people should consult a doctor. People should seek medical attention immediately if the pain is severe, accompanied by a high fever, or includes hearing loss.
