Looking for Home Remedies for Ear Pain? You are at a Right place
“Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing, I would choose pain” such quotes sound great, but in reality no one chooses it. Ear, it is one of the sense organs which maintain our sense of balance. The major task of the ear is to detect, transmit and transducer sound. Auricle, Auditory canal, Ear drum or tympanic membrane or the main parts of the ear. Infection or damage to any one of these parts can cause ear pain. Ear pain sounds simple but gives a lot of trouble. So if you get hit with this problem, immediately start following the home remedies for ear pain to get rid of the ear pain.
Ear ache symptoms
The most common symptoms of ear ache include:
- Pain in the ear
- Fluids leaking from ear
- Redness and swelling around the outer ear
- Head ache
- Jaw pain
- Ear drainage if there is associated ear drum perforation (Draining)
- Ringing sound in the ear
- Inner ear inflammation (labyrinthitis)
- A sense of the room or surroundings spinning (Vertigo)
- Loss of balance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased hearing
Ear ache causes
Ear ache or ear pain most of the time is due to infections in any part of the ear, that could be external, middle or inner ear.
Ear aches are also seen as the symptom of some other diseases like cold, flu, or infection.
Sometimes we experience Ear pain and mild hearing loss due to changes in air pressure, such as traveling in an air or riding on an elevator which is temporary.
Sometimes excess formation of earwax can also cause ear pain. When we try to clean wax with buds or some other objects can damage the eardrum and also push the wax farther back into the ear causes ear pain. So it is always advisable to consult a professional.
Hearing very loud voice can also damage ear drum resulting in rupture and bleeding of the ear drum and leads to ear pain.
Sometimes structural changes in the jaws or teeth can also cause ear pain. Home remedies for ear pain work effectively in relieving this.
Outer ear aches may be due to Skin infection, the sun burns, chronic skin irritations (atopic dermatitis). An injured auricle is a common wrestling injury due to these blood clots which results in unbearable ear pain, it is called cauliflower ear.
Swimmer’s ear is another ear pain which causes inflammation of the ear canal. This inflammation is caused by retained water in the ear canal. This water in the dark, warm area promotes bacterial growth and thus leads to infection and ear ache.
Inserting small objects in ears which cannot be removed can cause ear pain and inflammation. Sometimes objects like Q-tips, hair pins, and other narrow objects that are used to scratch an itch or to remove wax will perforate or damage ear drum and cause ear ache. So if you ever get hit with this problem, start following the home remedies for ear pain to get a cure from it.
Causes for middle ear aches:
The middle ear is the location of nerves involved with hearing. Sudden changes in pressure will cause ear pain. When a virus or bacteria invades and infects stagnant fluid in the middle ear infection occurs and the ear pain. Fluid collection within the middle ear due to Eustachian tube dysfunction also causes ear pain. This tube drains fluid and equalizes pressure between the middle ear and the back of the throat. Increased pressure and infection to the fluid can also cause ear pain and fever. This is called serous otitis.
Causes for inner ear ache:
The inner ear is the place of the labyrinth system which sends messages to the brain to help with balance. Most of the times inflammation is associated with vertigo but need not be the pain.
Myringitis is one of the causes of ear pain. Bullous myringitis causes inflammation and a very severe ear pain which occurs due to virus, bacteria or fungus. Traumatic myringitis happens due to injury caused by poking a sharp object into the ear canal. Electrocution injury is associated with perforation or damage of eardrum.
Teeth grinding may also cause ear pain and irritation. Dental problems and tooth aches can also cause ear ache. Sinusitis may also cause ear pain as it is associated with increased air pressure in the middle ear.
Infection to mastoiditis can cause ear pain. These are the bony prominences of the skull filled with air cells which are located behind the ear. Throat infections like tonsillitis, Pharyngitis also can radiate ear pain. Changes in Thyroid hormone may also be associated with ear pain. Ringing sound in the ear which is called tinnitus also causes discomfort to air.
Inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve may cause ear pain, which is called Trigeminal neuralgia.
Ear pain in children:
Most ear infections happen to children at the early stage (infant), it is the most commonly diagnosed illness in children. Most of the babies have at least one ear infection by the time they turn the age of 1 year, and many have had at least one-year ear pain by age 3.
Ear pain is caused because of infection caused by bacteria or virus. Most of the times fluid build up in the area behind child’s ear drum and get infected which causes ear ache. When the child has infected by cold or upper respiratory infection this may spread to middle ear because of this ear pains.
Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level in the child than in adults. This makes it difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear, swollen or blocked tubes with mucus due to cold may cause ear pain.
A child’s poor immune system makes it harder for the children to fight infections. Sometimes adenoids respond to bacteria passing through nose and mouth as a part of immune system. When bacteria get trapped in them also cause infection to tubes and middle ear causing ear ache.
Fluid draining from the ear.
Fussiness and crying.
Pulling or tugging at the ears.
Clumsiness or problem with balance.
The unpleasant smell coming from the ear.
Trouble in hearing and responding sounds.
Most of the times the ear pain gets away with cold, 80 percent of the kids recover in 3 days without the antibiotics. In severe conditions doctor prescribes antibiotics.
Home remedies for ear pain in children:
Give a warm pack on the child’s ear about 10 to 15 minutes. This may treat ear pain.
If the child is older than 6 months, acetaminophen may be used for ear pain treatment. Take doctors’ advice for assurance. Medication doesn’t involve home remedies for ear pain as we can get rid of the pain completely without any side effects by the usage of natural ingredients.
Place few drops of coconut oil or sesame oil heated with a clove of garlic and cooled until it becomes warm in the ear which is painting. This works as natural ear pain relief.
Give your child lot of fluids often. This could be one of the best home remedies for ear pain. Swallowing open the tubes so the trapped fluids can drain.
Homeopathic ear drops containing extracts of garlic, mullein, lavender, calendula may help relieve ear pain. This is considered to be one of the best among the home remedies for ear pain. It will instantly give you a soothing effect and relief from the ear pain.
It’s a form of manipulative therapy generally used for spine and bones. A chiropractor can soothe your earache.
Tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil works as a powerful antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory. Its antibacterial properties reduce the infections and ear pain. Its core properties are its assets to become the best choice of all the home remedies for ear pain.
Sleep without putting pressure on the ear:
Do not sleep with infected ear facing the pillow; it can help the ear drain better.
When the children are suffering from ear pain distract them by telling stories, showing a movie or let them color a book or painting, let them play some video games, or give them their favorite food. This also works with adults reading their favorite book or watching their favorite movie.
Avoid bottle feeding in the lying position. Breast feeding improved immunity and decreases the risk of developing ear infections. Do not use the pacifier after 6 months.
Do not expose the children to second hand or third-hand smoking, and dust.
Make sure to get the vaccine Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the flu vaccine.
Do not clean ears with buds or sharp objects.
Teach them about hygiene like cleaning hands after playing.
In adults ear pain associated with cold resolve as the cold gets better.
Pain that lasts for a few hours of increases in intensity should be consulted with the doctor.
Earache associated with fever, hearing loss should be treated.
People suffering from diabetes require antibiotic treatment.
A person suffering from an earache and fever neck stiffness should consult the doctor immediately.
Natural and quickest home remedies for ear pain relief:
Warm compress with a hot pack to the ear may bring relief in ear pain.
A cold compress for 20 minutes at a time against the ear. It should not be too cold which may cause frost bite.
Drink plenty of liquids to keep well hydrated.
Be careful while using steam or hot water.
Herbal oils like coconut oil sesame oil boiled with garlic.
Chewing, yarning may be helpful in balancing the pressure in the middle ear which gives relief in ear pain.
Apply warm ginger juice around the outer ear which gives relief from ear pain. Do not put it in the ear.
Olive oil drops reduce ear pain.
Ear drops containing garlic are as effective as the over the counter ear drops.
For many years now, hydrogen peroxide has been considered as the most useful one of the home remedies for ear pain treatment. Place some drops of hydrogen peroxide into the ear and keep it for some time then clean the ear with fresh clean water.
Some neck exercises can bring relief, which relieves the pressure in the ear canal.
Sit straight on the ground keeping the feet flat.
Rotate the neck and head slowly to the right until the head is parallel to shoulder.
Repeat the same on the other side.
Raise the shoulders above the head so that shoulders cover the ears.
Repeat as often as possible.
Over the counter pain, medicines may bring relief in ear pain.
The medications include Ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen etc.
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen help in ear pain relief as well as fever.
If the ear pain is due to sinus, oxymetazoline nasal spray may be helpful in ear pain relief. Salt water spray is also very helpful.
Specialist doctors who treat an earache:
Otolaryngologists (ear, throat, nose specialists) in common called as ENT specialists treat ear pain problems. They are capable of performing surgeries on all parts of the ear. Common problems can be addressed to general physicians and pediatricians in a case of kids.
How can we diagnose the problem for ear pain?
By doing the physical examination and interacting with the patient a doctor can diagnose the cause of an earache. The doctor may use an otoscope to look into the ear canal and eardrum. In certain cases, X-rays and some other tests like CT may be required to find out the problem for an earache.
The doctor also evaluates other parts of the body like throat (A sore throat, tonsillitis), neck (for swollen lymph nodes), lungs (Pneumonia) this is very important for ear pain treatment. Sometimes Endoscopy may be required in ear ache treatment.
For some cases, hearing tests may be required in case of recurrent infections. Patients with vertigo also undergo hearing tests.
In very rare cases a sample of drainage from the ear may be collected and tested in a laboratory to find out the bacteria which is causing the ear pain (infection).
Ear pain treatment:
Most of the time ear drops are prescribed for 7-10 days which works as a remedy for ear pain. But those aren’t the genuine home remedies for ear pain. The medicines which are directly given from nature as you have observed are only the natural remedies.
The drops are placed in the affected ear and rest for 5 minutes to get relief from ear pain.
The drops contain antibiotics and steroids some times which help in reduce swelling and ear pain.
Oral antibiotics should be taken if desired to get ear pain cure. Along with antibiotics, pain relief tablets are needed. Most of the times ear pain resolve with in 1 or 2 days but the infection may recur. So it is very important to continue the course of treatment.
People suffering from recurring infections may require hearing tests.
Ruptured eardrum requires surgery to repair the eardrum and to cure ear pain.
Ears should be kept clean and dry. Use ear plugs are cotton balls with Vaseline should be used while taking bath. Wear ear plugs while swimming. Use a hair drier on a low heat keeping at least 12 inches far from the ear.
So strictly follow the home remedies for ear pain, if you have been suffering from this problem. So that you will get quickly cured of the problem.