The Best Home Remedies For Getting Rid of Ear Infection
An ear infection (acute otitis media) is a painful condition that can
affect any part of the ear. Depending on the severity of the infection
in the ear, you may also experience itchiness in the ear,
discharge or fluid draining from the ear or a slight loss of hearing.
Because infections of the ear develop in children more often than
adults, it can be difficult to find the best treatment to cure ear
infections. In fact, the pain and discomfort from ear infections can be
especially distressing for a child. Ear infections in children can cause
ear irritation when lying down and sleeping, increased crying and
irritability, drainage of fluid from the ear, and headaches.
After a crying infant is brought to the doctor’s office following a sleepless night, the doctor often quickly prescribes some antibiotics to ease the painful symptoms of the ear infection. But, antibiotics might not be the best choice when it comes to ear infections and you may also want to consider home remedies for treating the infection (but consult with your doctor first).
The experts revised guidelines in 2013 to advise medical personnel on the best practices to diagnose and treat ear infections in children. In many cases, they recommend a ‘wait- and-see’ or ‘watchful waiting’ approach to see if the ear infection symptoms go away by themselves. They reported that around 66% of children with earaches and ear infections were cured without the need for antibiotics.
You don’t want to be unnecessarily contributing to a growing antibiotic resistance. What is usually needed is some good rest, symptom control, careful observation and a bit of patience. Of course, ear infections might be unpleasant and exhausting for kids and adults alike, so there are many natural home remedies to treat the symptoms of ear infections.
Prescribing antibiotics won’t always solve the problem. Ear infections can be caused either by bacteria or viruses. In viral cases – which are very common – antibiotics won’t work as viruses don’t respond to them.
According to a research, the ‘watchful waiting’ approach is much more advisable, especially in children over the age of two. Dr. suggests waiting for 48 to 72 hours to see if the pain, swelling, redness, and discomfort caused by infections in the ear go away by themselves.
The doctor advises that antibiotics are prescribed only if there is ‘moderate to severe’ bulging of the tympanic membrane (the eardrum). Also, to make sure the infection in the inner, middle, or outer ear is caused by a bacterial infection, a swab should be taken first.
Make garlic oil to get rid of ear infection:
Two to three crushed cloves a day will boost your immunity and may help to speed up healing process of the infection in the ear.
2-3 tbsp chopped garlic
2-3 tbsp mullein flowers
Extra virgin olive oil
Place the garlic and mullein flowers in a small saucepan and add just enough oil to cover the herbs. Warm for 15-20 minutes over very low heat. Strain well and store in tightly covered glass jar in the refrigerator.
How to use? warm the oil in a teaspoon over a candle or stove-top burner. Warm only to body temperature (about room temperature). Use a dropper and apply 3-4 drops into the ear. Apply the warm oil every 30 minutes or as often as needed.
After a crying infant is brought to the doctor’s office following a sleepless night, the doctor often quickly prescribes some antibiotics to ease the painful symptoms of the ear infection. But, antibiotics might not be the best choice when it comes to ear infections and you may also want to consider home remedies for treating the infection (but consult with your doctor first).
The experts revised guidelines in 2013 to advise medical personnel on the best practices to diagnose and treat ear infections in children. In many cases, they recommend a ‘wait- and-see’ or ‘watchful waiting’ approach to see if the ear infection symptoms go away by themselves. They reported that around 66% of children with earaches and ear infections were cured without the need for antibiotics.
You don’t want to be unnecessarily contributing to a growing antibiotic resistance. What is usually needed is some good rest, symptom control, careful observation and a bit of patience. Of course, ear infections might be unpleasant and exhausting for kids and adults alike, so there are many natural home remedies to treat the symptoms of ear infections.
Ear infection symptoms
Common symptoms of ear infection include:- Earache (often severe ear pain)
- Diminished hearing
- Drainage of fluids from the ear
- Popping, clicking or cracking sound in ear
- Pulling at the ear
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability and crying
- Loss of balance
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- An ear infection can also cause lump or bump behind ear or swollen occipital lymph nodes
Prescribing antibiotics won’t always solve the problem. Ear infections can be caused either by bacteria or viruses. In viral cases – which are very common – antibiotics won’t work as viruses don’t respond to them.
According to a research, the ‘watchful waiting’ approach is much more advisable, especially in children over the age of two. Dr. suggests waiting for 48 to 72 hours to see if the pain, swelling, redness, and discomfort caused by infections in the ear go away by themselves.
The doctor advises that antibiotics are prescribed only if there is ‘moderate to severe’ bulging of the tympanic membrane (the eardrum). Also, to make sure the infection in the inner, middle, or outer ear is caused by a bacterial infection, a swab should be taken first.
Natural Ear Infection Remedies
While you’re waiting for your (or your little one’s) infection to clear, there are many natural home remedies that can help you alleviate the symptoms and reduce the discomfort and pain.1. Garlic
Garlic works as a natural antibiotic and it helps to soothe the ear pain associated with ear infections. It contains powerful aromatic compounds that have an antiseptic effect to kill off bacteria and viruses that cause infections. It is also an effective natural anti-inflammatory agent which will reduce swelling in the ear canal and discomfort in the ear. You can use garlic in different ways to help treat ear infections:Make garlic oil to get rid of ear infection:
- Crush 2 garlic cloves and wait for a few minutes to let the allicin form. Then cook in a few tablespoons of sesame oil or mustard oil or olive oil for several minutes.
- Strain the solution.
- Pour two to four drops of the garlic oil remedy into your painful ear. The temperature should be warm.
- You need to lie on your side for at least 30 seconds to let the garlic oil disappear in the ear canal.
- Repeat 3 to 4 times daily to treat the ear infection and to alleviate the pain.
- Boil 2 to 3 fresh garlic cloves for a few minutes.
- Crush them and add some salt.
- Wrap the mixture in a clean cloth and press it against the painful ear to relieve the ear pain.
Two to three crushed cloves a day will boost your immunity and may help to speed up healing process of the infection in the ear.
2. Olive oil
Olive oil is a natural medicine and it can help clear the ear infection by softening the war wax One of the main causes of an ear infection is wax in the ear that catches fungal or bacterial growth. Use olive oil as a natural ear infection remedy to help clear the wax blockage from your ear.- Warm the olive oil slightly.
- Pour a few drops of the remedy into the infected ear.
- When the ear wax has softened, gently remove it from the outer ear with cotton-tipped swabs, but be careful not to go too deep and cause an injury (I’ve previously mentioned why it's not good to clean inside your ears)
- Tip: To increase the efficacy you can add to the olive oil garlic and mullein flowers that work very well for relieving ear infections. Mullein has been used in traditional medical systems due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
2-3 tbsp chopped garlic
2-3 tbsp mullein flowers
Extra virgin olive oil
Place the garlic and mullein flowers in a small saucepan and add just enough oil to cover the herbs. Warm for 15-20 minutes over very low heat. Strain well and store in tightly covered glass jar in the refrigerator.
How to use? warm the oil in a teaspoon over a candle or stove-top burner. Warm only to body temperature (about room temperature). Use a dropper and apply 3-4 drops into the ear. Apply the warm oil every 30 minutes or as often as needed.