The Best Home Remedies for Ear Infections

Earaches, no matter the cause, can be uncomfortable for children and adults alike but can be easy to treat if you know what to do. An ear infection (acute otitis media) will often happen as a result of colds, allergies, or an upper respiratory problem — when the tubes inside an ear fill up with mucus and fluid, an infection occurs. In this article, we provide you with the best home remedies for ear infections and a few medications you can try. 

What are Ear Infections? 

Ear infections are most commonly caused by bacterial or viral infections; kids will often get them more than adults, and most toddlers will experience them before they turn 3 years of age. Among the main reasons why kids get middle ear infections more than adults is because they come with shorter eustachian tubes. Ear infections will come with symptoms such as: 

• Inner ear pain
• Fever
• Trouble sleeping
• Hearing loss
• Sore throat
• Difficulty balancing
• Fluids from the ear

Best Home Remedies for Ear Infections

Below are some of the most common remedies that you can use to help relieve pain from ear infections. 

Cold or Warm Compresses

The use of either a cold or warm compress can relieve the pain of an ear infection; all you need to do is hold a cold washcloth or a hot pad over your ear for 10 to 15 minutes. This great remedy will work especially well for kids, and you can use ice packs or heating pads to use as your warm compresses.

Neck Exercises

While not many people know about it, neck exercises can help to release pressure from the ear canal as a result of ear infections. Simply follow the steps below to perform neck exercises:

• Stand up or sit straight
• Rotate your neck over to the right side, ensuring it’s parallel to the right shoulder, and hold this position for 10 seconds.
• Repeat the same procedure on your left side. 
• Raise both shoulders and try to reach your earlobes then hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. 
• Repeat this exercise as many times as needed throughout the day. 

Mullein

The oil extracted from the mullein plant can serve as an effective reliever for pain when you experience an ear infection. This can be found in most health food stores as an ingredient in ear drops or as a stand-alone product.  

Vitamin D 

While taking vitamin D supplements may seem unrelated to an ear infection, it actually helps to boost the immune system. Having a healthier immune system can help lower your risk of ear infections, so be sure to take plenty of vitamin D and stick to a healthy diet. 

Garlic Oil

Because garlic oil contains antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, it can help clear ear infections. Garlic oil ear drops will need to be applied to your ear canal to kill off viruses or bacteria that may be causing the ear infection. Alternatively, you can also soak a few crushed cloves of garlic in warm olive oil for your homemade ear drops. 

Chiropractic Care

Performing chiropractic adjustments might help take the pressure off tight muscles located around the ear, which may allow trapped fluids to drain. A study presented in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics revealed that providing chiropractic care to young children may lower ear infection symptoms. 

Hydrogen Peroxide

Using hydrogen peroxide may help to keep your ears clean while preventing dirt and other kinds of bacteria from getting inside the middle ear. This solution is especially effective when you want to avoid getting swimmer’s ear. Simply swab a little bit of hydrogen peroxide into your ear canal, being careful not to get too much inside your ears. 

Ginger

Known to have anti-inflammatory properties, one of the most effective home remedies for ear infections is ginger, which can be used as an infused oil or as juice. However, make sure that you only apply it around the outer ear canal and never inside the ear. 

Naturopathic Ear Drops

Natural ear drops contain a wide range of herbs and essential oils that can help remedy ear infections. They will often be made using tea tree oil, ginger, mullein, garlic, or other kinds of herbs; the best places to look for this option are supplement shops or health food shops. 

Changing Sleep Positions 

Doing this can help side sleepers; try to sleep with the infected ear facing up rather than over the pillow. Sleeping on the affected ear may put pressure on it and aggravate the pain more. Taking away this pressure may help to alleviate pain when sleeping.  

Apple Cider Vinegar

This home remedy can help treat an ear infection since it has acetic acid, a known antibacterial. Try mixing equal parts of apple cider vinegar and warm water which you can then apply over the affected area using a dropper bottle. You can also soak a cotton ball in this solution to place it outside your ear, allowing it to treat the affected area. 

Saltwater Gargle

Sometimes, an ear infection can be related to sore throat, so gargling some salt water may help to relieve discomfort and inflammation. The eustachian tube runs from the middle of your ear to the back of your throat and can get clogged sometimes, causing ear infections. While it normally drains fluids from the ear, fluid buildup can lead to an infection — make sure you don’t put salt directly in your ears.  

Basil

This is another great home remedy that can treat an ear infection; basil comes with antibacterial properties and is full of antioxidants. A study showed that basil can help to treat infections caused by bacterial infections. Just crush a few basil leaves and strain the juice from it then carefully add one or two drops in the ear. 

Tea Tree Oil

This is another great option when you want to get pain relief from ear infections. It comes with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it such an effective addition to various skincare products. Take a few drops of tea tree oil and mix it with a tablespoon of olive oil that’s slightly warm, then add small amounts into your ear. Wait 3 minutes before turning your head over to the other side to start draining your ear; if you notice increased pain or worsening symptoms, immediately seek medical treatment. 

Herbal Teas

If your kids are older than 3 years of age, you can offer them a herbal tea such as peppermint or chamomile in small amounts since these offer soothing properties and may help to reduce inflammation around the ear. 

Best Medicines for Ear Infections 

If none of the natural remedies above work, then you may need to resort to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain relievers to treat your ear infection. Below are some of the most common options you can get your hands on. 

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These can help to relieve fever and pain resulting from ear infections. The most popular options available include Naproxen, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen. 
• Antibiotics: This is the best option if the infection is caused by bacteria; if you’ve been prescribed antibiotics to fight an ear infection, you will need to take the whole dose. Doctors will usually prescribe Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, and Amoxicillin.  
• Decongestants: A decongestant can help to reduce swelling around the mucus membranes which can open up passages that lead to the middle ear while relieving symptoms. Examples of decongestants include Afrin nasal spray and Sudafed. 

When You Need to See a Doctor 

Unfortunately, no matter how much self-care you do or over-the-counter medications you take, they may not always solve the problem or they may even make your ear infection worse. Knowing when it’s time to see your healthcare provider can help get you the right treatment and prevent more complications. If your ear infection comes with other symptoms such as hearing loss, high fever, discharge, or worsening symptoms, be sure to see your doctor. 

Those with chronic ear infections might need surgery, so make sure not to leave an ear infection unattended — this may cause it to spread or lead to permanent problems with hearing loss or balance. As such, it’s important to monitor for signs and symptoms of an ear infection and to get ahead of it. 

Conclusion

Using home remedies for ear infections is a great way to solve a simple problem using common, everyday items you’ll find in your kitchen while getting plenty of health benefits. However, if you find that you need more help, you can always consult your doctor for the best results. If your ear infection doesn’t get better or if it worsens, always seek medical care.

Sources 

• singlecare.com
• miracle-ear.com
• medicinenet.com