Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOver-the-Counter MedicationHydrogen PeroxideSalt Water GarglingCold CompressNaturopathic Ear DropsNeck ExercisesChanging Sleep PositionsOlive OilGingerGarlicTea Tree OilApple Cider VinegarWhen To Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Over-the-Counter Medication
Hydrogen Peroxide
Salt Water Gargling
Cold Compress
Naturopathic Ear Drops
Neck Exercises
Changing Sleep Positions
Olive Oil
Ginger
Garlic
Tea Tree Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
When To Seek Medical Care
Home remedies forear infectionsdo not cure an ear infection, but they can provide some immediate pain relief and help you manage other symptoms so your body can heal itself.You may be able to effectively self-treat with over-the-counter pain medication along with cold compresses, hydrogen peroxide, and some other non-prescription remedies.
However, claims about several all-natural treatments such as essential oils and ginger haven’t been proven. Understanding the potential benefits and side effects of these home treatments can help you avoid complications.
If symptoms of an ear infection get worse or new symptoms develop, contact a healthcare provider since some ear infections in adults and children only get better with prescription antibiotics.
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OTC pain relieverslike acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) are often the go-to treatment for ear pain. These medications can help to relieve minor discomfort and inflammation associated with ear aches and the fever that sometimes accompanies ear infections.
Adults can try the following:
Aspirin should be avoided in children with fever due to the risk ofReye’s syndrome, a form ofencephalopathy(a brain disease).
Earwax can block the ear canal, causing pain on its own and playing a role in the development of an ear infection.Hydrogen peroxide can help loosen painfulearwax.
To apply hydrogen peroxide, mix a little bit of a 3% solution with an equal amount of room-temperature water. Place two drops in each ear. You can repeat this twice a day for up to five days.You can then flush the ear gently with a syringe to remove the loose wax.
Do not use hydrogen peroxide drops if you have a perforated eardrum or ear tubes.
Hydrogen Peroxide in Ear: How Well Does It Work?
How To Make a Saltwater SolutionTo be effective, the saltwater gargle must contain enough salt. Combine 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) of table salt with 1 cup of warm water and stir to dissolve.
How To Make a Saltwater Solution
To be effective, the saltwater gargle must contain enough salt. Combine 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) of table salt with 1 cup of warm water and stir to dissolve.
Perform the following steps for a saltwater gargle:
For best results, apply the compress to the affected ear for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Some people find it helpful to alternate between cold and warm compresses. Like other home remedies, cold compresses won’t cure an ear infection, but they can numb the area and help reduce inflammation.
Naturopathic drops, which are made from herbal extracts, are sometimes recommended to help relieve the symptoms of an ear infection. However, whether herbal or naturopathic ear drops are effective is unclear. One study found herbal ear drops can enhance the effect of antibiotics but may not offer much relief when used alone.
These drops can be found over-the-counter in drug stores or online.
One exercise involves sitting up straight and keeping both feet flat. Rotate your neck to one shoulder, and then move it to the other shoulder. You can also raise your shoulders as high as possible and count to five. Repeat throughout the day.
Although it might seem unnatural, propping your head up a bit while you sleep may help reduce ear pain. This sleep position allows your sinuses and theeustachiantubes to drain more easily, something they may not be able to do properly when you are lying flat, or close to flat.Clogged eustachian tubes can cause ear pain.
If you are a side sleeper, avoid laying on your infected ear. The pressure may cause you additional pain. In addition, having the ear exposed allows air to flow in and keeps it dry, which supports healing.
Olive oilhas been used in the ears as a home remedy to clear earwax and treat ear infections. Olive oil is traditionally believed to break up impacted (jammed) wax in the ear canal while hydrating the skin of the ear.
There is little evidence that olive oil can help remove solidified earwax or treat the symptoms of an ear infection. While an occasional application of oil-based drops may thin wax and help it to be released, regular use of olive oil drops or spray is not recommended.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
Can Olive Oil Remove Wax and Treat an Ear Infection?
Ginger is a root commonly used as a spice in foods. It is considered to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginger has been used for generations as an herbal remedy and appears to have multiple health benefits. In recent years, ginger has been found to carry out biological actions, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Some people claim that applying ginger juice or ginger-infused oil around the outer ear can relieve pain and inflammation. There is no evidence that it is effective. And remember: Never put ginger inside the ear.
Using ginger extracts around the ear may not help, but some healthcare providers do encourage people to consume more anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, turmeric, and omega-3 fatty acids. Adding these to your diet can support natural healing and help you fight an infection.
Some studies suggest thatgarlicsupplements can reduce the occurrence and/or duration of colds, a common cause of ear infections.But these studies are small, and more research needs to be done.
Do not put garlic, or any foreign objects, into your ear.
Freshly crushed raw garlic may act as an antimicrobial because it contains a molecule calledallicin. Allicin has been shown, at least in vitro (outside of a living organism), to have strong antimicrobial properties.Animal studies suggest it may also help fight infection inside the body. But more research, particularly on humans, is needed.
There is an increased risk of bleeding associated with garlic supplements. Consult your healthcare provider before using them you takeanticoagulants (blood thinners)such as warfarin or if you need surgery.
Tea tree oilis an essential oil derived from the Australian tea tree. Used in aboriginal medicine, some research shows it may help with fungal infections.Early studies have also found that tea tree oil contains high amounts of terpinen-4-ol, a chemical compound that is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic.
There is no evidence that it is effective at treating an ear infection or relieving pain and other symptoms. Some people still say that it has helped them.
A popular method of using tea tree oil for ear infections is to dampen a cotton ball in a solution that includes tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil. Place the cotton in the ear so the oil can seep slowly into the ear canal (without dripping down). You should not press the cotton into the ear.
Never take tea tree oil orally; doing so can cause serious side effects.
Apple cider vinegar is touted as a treatment for a wide range of ailments. Studies do show that it may have antimicrobial properties, which would mean it could help with infections.
Unfortunately, no clear evidence shows that thisfermentedjuice made from crushed apples and yeast is effective at relieving pain or easing symptoms of an ear infection.
Many people do claim to have found relief from the folk remedy. Using apple cider vinegar mixed with equal parts water should not cause any harm. You can try about five drops per ear. Do not use it if you have a tear in your ear drum, though, and do not use it unless it’s diluted.
Can You Treat Swimmer’s Ear on Your Own?Otitis externa, commonly known asswimmer’s ear, is an infection of theouter ear canal. In some instances, mild cases may resolve with self-care if you use drying drops.However, prescription antibiotics are recommended as a first-line treatment since the infection can be difficult to manage and complications are possible.
Can You Treat Swimmer’s Ear on Your Own?
Otitis externa, commonly known asswimmer’s ear, is an infection of theouter ear canal. In some instances, mild cases may resolve with self-care if you use drying drops.However, prescription antibiotics are recommended as a first-line treatment since the infection can be difficult to manage and complications are possible.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
While home remedies may be just what you need to help the body relax and fight an infection, you may need prescription medication.
See your healthcare provider immediately or go to the emergency room for the following situations:
Call 911 and seek emergency medical attention for the following:
Summary
Whileantibioticsare sometimes necessary for an ear infection, especially in children less than 2 years old, ear infections usually go away on their own within a few days.
To help with symptom management while your ears heal, some home remedies, such as over-the-counter medications and a cold compress, can be helpful. Others, like olive oil or garlic, are unproven and may potentially be harmful in certain circumstances.
Always check with your healthcare provider before starting a treatment for yourself or your child, and never put anything in your ear or your child’s ear without the guidance of a healthcare provider.
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