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How to help with earache pain. 15 Effective Home Remedies for Earache Pain Relief: Natural and OTC Solutions

How can you alleviate earache pain at home. What are the most effective natural remedies for ear discomfort. Which over-the-counter treatments provide quick relief for earaches. When should you seek medical attention for persistent ear pain.

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Understanding Earaches: Causes and Symptoms

Earaches are a common ailment, particularly among children, but can affect individuals of all ages. They can range from mildly uncomfortable to severely painful, often causing distress and disrupting daily activities. To effectively address earache pain, it’s crucial to understand its underlying causes and recognize the symptoms.

Common Causes of Earaches

  • Ear infections (otitis media)
  • Sinus infections
  • Changes in air pressure (e.g., during air travel)
  • Earwax buildup
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
  • Tooth infections

Recognizing Earache Symptoms

Are you experiencing persistent ear pain? Here are some common symptoms associated with earaches:

  • Sharp, dull, or burning pain in one or both ears
  • Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
  • Difficulty hearing or muffled sounds
  • Fever (especially in children)
  • Dizziness or balance issues
  • Drainage from the ear

Natural Remedies for Earache Relief

Before resorting to medication, many individuals prefer to try natural remedies for earache relief. These home treatments can often provide quick and effective pain relief without the need for pharmaceuticals. Here are some of the most popular and effective natural remedies:

1. Cold Compress Therapy

Can a simple ice pack help with ear pain? Absolutely. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected ear for 20 minutes can help numb the pain and reduce inflammation. This method is particularly effective for earaches caused by injury or inflammation.

2. Garlic: Nature’s Antibiotic

Garlic has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for various ailments, including earaches. Its active compound, allicin, possesses potent antibacterial properties that may help combat ear infections. To use garlic for earache relief, you can:

  • Consume raw garlic cloves
  • Apply garlic oil around the ear (never inside the ear canal)
  • Use garlic supplements (consult with a healthcare professional first)

It’s important to note that garlic may interfere with certain antibiotics, so always consult your doctor before using it as a remedy, especially if you’re already on medication.

3. Heat Therapy for Muscle Relaxation

While cold therapy helps numb pain and reduce inflammation, heat therapy can be equally effective for certain types of earaches. Applying a heating pad or warm compress to the affected ear for 20 minutes can help relax tense muscles and improve blood flow, potentially alleviating pain.

4. Olive Oil: A Gentle Ear Lubricant

Is olive oil safe to use for earaches? The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that adding a few drops of warm (not hot) olive oil to the ear canal can be safe and moderately effective in relieving ear pain. This method may help soften earwax and reduce inflammation. However, it’s crucial to ensure the olive oil is at body temperature to avoid discomfort or injury.

5. Ginger: Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Ginger is renowned for its natural anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential ally in the fight against earache pain. While you should never put ginger directly into your ear, you can try the following:

  • Apply ginger juice (made by straining shredded ginger in warm olive oil) around the outer ear canal
  • Consume ginger tea or supplements to reduce overall inflammation in the body

Over-the-Counter Solutions for Earache Relief

When natural remedies aren’t providing sufficient relief, over-the-counter (OTC) solutions can be effective in managing earache pain. However, it’s essential to use these products correctly and be aware of potential contraindications.

1. Ear Drops for Pain Relief

OTC ear drops can be highly effective for temporary pain relief. These drops often contain analgesic and anti-inflammatory ingredients that can help soothe ear discomfort. However, it’s crucial to note that ear drops should not be used if you have a perforated eardrum or have had tubes surgically inserted in your ears.

2. Pain Relievers: NSAIDs and Acetaminophen

Oral pain relievers such as ibuprofen (an NSAID) or acetaminophen can help manage the pain associated with earaches. These medications work by reducing inflammation and fever, providing overall relief. However, it’s important not to use these medications to mask pain without addressing the underlying cause, especially if the earache persists or is associated with other symptoms.

Lifestyle Adjustments for Earache Management

In addition to natural remedies and OTC solutions, certain lifestyle adjustments can help manage earache pain and prevent future occurrences. Consider incorporating these practices into your routine:

1. Sleep Position Matters

Does sleeping position affect ear pain? Indeed, it can. Sleeping in an upright position or with the affected ear elevated can help reduce pressure buildup and potentially alleviate pain. This is particularly helpful if the earache is caused by fluid accumulation or changes in air pressure.

2. Chewing Gum for Pressure Relief

If your earache is related to changes in air pressure, such as during air travel or when moving to higher elevations, chewing gum can help “pop” your ears and equalize pressure. This simple action can provide significant relief, especially for those prone to ear discomfort during flights.

3. Neck Exercises for Muscle Tension

Sometimes, earache pain can be exacerbated by tense muscles around the ear canal. Performing gentle neck exercises throughout the day can help alleviate this tension. Try the following:

  • Slowly rotate your neck and head
  • Lift your shoulders up toward your ears, hold, and release
  • Gently tilt your head from side to side

Repeat these exercises several times a day to help relax the muscles around your ears and potentially reduce pain.

Alternative Therapies for Earache Relief

For those open to exploring alternative approaches to earache relief, several options have gained popularity in recent years. While scientific evidence may be limited for some of these methods, many individuals report positive results.

1. Chiropractic Care for Ear Pain

Can chiropractic adjustments help with earaches? Some people find relief through chiropractic care, particularly for earaches believed to be caused by misalignment of the upper neck bones. Chiropractors aim to bring these bones back “in line,” potentially reducing ear pain. However, it’s essential to consult with a qualified professional and discuss this option with your primary care physician before pursuing chiropractic treatment for earaches.

2. Tea Tree Oil: Antiseptic Properties

Tea tree oil is known for its antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential natural remedy for earaches. To use tea tree oil safely:

  • Dilute 3-5 drops of tea tree oil in 1 ounce of carrier oil (such as olive oil or sweet almond oil)
  • Apply a couple of warmed drops to the ear daily
  • Always perform a skin patch test before use to check for allergies

Never apply undiluted tea tree oil directly into the ear canal, as it can cause irritation or damage.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Earaches

While many earaches can be managed at home, certain situations warrant professional medical attention. It’s crucial to recognize when home remedies are insufficient and when to consult a healthcare provider.

Signs That Require Medical Evaluation

  • Earache persisting for more than 24-48 hours
  • Severe pain accompanied by fever
  • Discharge or bleeding from the ear
  • Sudden hearing loss
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Swelling or redness around the ear

If you or your child experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly. A healthcare professional can determine the underlying cause of the earache and prescribe appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present.

Preventing Future Earaches: Proactive Measures

While it’s not always possible to prevent earaches entirely, certain proactive measures can help reduce their frequency and severity. Incorporating these practices into your routine can contribute to better ear health and potentially fewer episodes of ear pain.

1. Proper Ear Hygiene

Maintaining good ear hygiene is crucial for preventing earaches. However, it’s important to clean your ears correctly to avoid causing damage. Here are some tips:

  • Avoid inserting objects (including cotton swabs) into the ear canal
  • Clean the outer ear gently with a warm, damp cloth
  • Use ear drops designed to soften earwax if you’re prone to buildups

2. Managing Allergies and Sinus Issues

Allergies and sinus problems can contribute to earaches by causing inflammation and fluid buildup. Taking steps to manage these conditions can help prevent ear pain:

  • Use allergy medications as prescribed by your doctor
  • Keep your living environment clean and free of allergens
  • Use a humidifier to maintain optimal air moisture levels
  • Practice good nasal hygiene, including using saline nasal sprays

3. Protecting Your Ears from Loud Noises

Exposure to loud noises can damage your ears and potentially lead to earaches. Protect your hearing by:

  • Wearing earplugs or noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments
  • Keeping the volume at a moderate level when using headphones
  • Taking breaks from prolonged exposure to loud sounds

4. Staying Hydrated and Maintaining a Healthy Diet

Proper hydration and a balanced diet can contribute to overall ear health. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain the proper balance of fluids in your body, including your ears. Additionally, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports your immune system, potentially reducing the risk of ear infections.

By implementing these preventive measures and being attentive to your ear health, you can potentially reduce the frequency and severity of earaches. Remember, while home remedies and OTC solutions can be effective for many cases of ear pain, persistent or severe symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure proper treatment and prevent complications.

15 simple remedies for earache

Even if an earache is part of a larger issue, it is possible to reduce pain with both natural and medical methods. Here are 15 remedies for reducing earache.

1. Ice pack

Share on PinterestAn ice pack held to the ear may help to reduce potential inflammation.

Holding an ice pack or cold, damp washcloth to the ear for 20 minutes may help numb ear pain and reduce any potential inflammation that is causing it.

2. Garlic

Garlic is a natural remedy for earache that has been used for thousands of years. Allicin, a compound in garlic, is said to be helpful in fighting bacterial infections that may be causing an earache.

Eating raw garlic is said to help reduce ear pain. However, garlic may interfere with antibiotics, so it is important to speak with a doctor before taking it.

3. Heating pad

A heating pad or hot cloth held against the ear for 20 minutes may be helpful for temporary pain relief. While cold temperatures can help numb pain and reduce inflammation, a heating pad may relax the muscles and help improve blood flow.

4. Ear drops

Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies can be successful for some people, especially those that have tried natural methods. Many OTC medications shouldn’t be used by people whose eardrum has ruptured or who have had tubes surgically inserted in the past.

Some individuals may also need to check with their doctor to make sure their chosen remedy won’t interfere with any currently prescribed medications.

5. Pain relievers

Pain relievers like ibuprofen or other NSAIDS can help control pain caused by earache. These medications shouldn’t be used to mask pain, however, especially if the earache is associated with an underlying condition.

6. Sleep in an upright position

Sleeping in an upright position is often advised to help reduce the build up of pressure in the ear.

7. Chew gum

Share on PinterestChewing gum may help the ears to “pop”, especially on airplane travel.

If an earache occurs during or after plane travel or moving to higher elevations, chewing gum may help “pop” the ears and reduce pressure.

8. Distraction

One of the best methods for reducing the feeling of pain, particularly among children, is to distract the mind from the earache. Games, television, or exercise can help reduce attention on earache.

9. Chiropractic

One earache remedy is chiropractic, an alternative health approach. Chiropractic seeks to reduce pain and other health conditions by working with the muscles and bones. It is believed that earache can be caused by the misalignment of the upper neck bones. A chiropractor may be helpful for bringing these bones back “in line,” helping to reduce earache.

10. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is used in a range of ways. A couple of warmed drops in the ear per day may ease earache. However, before use in the ear, it is important to do a skin test to check for allergies. Tea tree oil should be diluted in olive oil, sweet almond oil, or another carrier oil, usually 3 to 5 drops in 1 ounce of oil.

Tea tree has antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

11. Olive oil

This method is old, but lacks any backing by scientific evidence. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that adding a couple of drops of warmed olive oil is safe and could be moderately effective.

12. Neck exercises

Sometimes, earache can be caused by tense muscles around the ear canal, exerting pressure on the area. If this is the case, some simple neck exercises might ease the discomfort.

For instance, slowly rotate the neck and head, and lift the shoulders up toward the ears; repeat throughout the day.

13. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has been used as a natural remedy for earache for a long while.

Insert 5-10 drops, then lie on your side for around 10 minutes with the painful ear facing up. Then, drain over the sink and rinse with cold water. Don’t be alarmed by the bubbles, this can help move ear wax out of the canal.

14. Ginger

Ginger is considered to have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Applying ginger juice (shredded ginger in warmed olive oil and strained), around the outer ear canal can relieve pain. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties.

Do not put ginger directly into the ear.

15. Hair dryer

After a bath, set the hair dryer to a low heat and hold it a distance from the ear. Continue for no more than 5 minutes. Take care not to burn your ear.

If an earache persists for more than 24-48 hours, it is important to get medical advice.

Earache – NHS

Earache and ear pain is common, particularly in young children. It can be painful, but is not usually a sign of anything serious.

How long earache lasts

It depends on what’s causing it. Most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection, which usually start to improve after a few days.

Spotting earache in babies and young children

A young child might have earache if they:

  • rub or pull their ear
  • do not react to some sounds
  • have a temperature of 38C or above
  • are irritable or restless
  • are off their food
  • keep losing their balance

Earache and ear pain can affect 1 or both ears.

How to treat earache yourself

There are some things you can do to help relieve earache and ear pain.

Don’t

  • do not put anything inside your ear, such as cotton buds

  • do not try to remove earwax

  • do not let water get inside your ear

Information:

Some painkillers are not safe for everyone (for example, if you’re pregnant). Always check the leaflet or get medical advice before taking them.

A pharmacist can help with earaches

A pharmacist might be able to tell you:

  • what you can do to treat earache yourself
  • if you can buy anything to help (for example, eardrops)
  • if you need to see a GP

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you or your child:

  • have earache for more than 3 days
  • keep getting earache

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

You or your child have earache and:

  • become generally unwell
  • a very high temperature or feel hot and shivery
  • swelling around the ear
  • fluid coming from the ear
  • hearing loss or a change in hearing
  • something stuck in the ear
  • your child is under 2 and has earache in both ears

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

What causes earache and pain

Earache and pain can be caused by many things, but sometimes it’s not known by what.

Here are some of the most common causes:

Possible causes of earache symptoms.
SymptomsPossible condition
Ear pain with toothacheChildren teething, dental abscess
Ear pain with change in hearingGlue ear, earwax build-up, an object stuck in the ear (do not try to remove it yourself – see a GP), perforated eardrum (particularly after a loud noise or accident)
Ear pain with pain when swallowingSore throat, tonsillitis, quinsy (a complication of tonsillitis)
Ear pain with a feverEar infection, flu, cold

Page last reviewed: 29 April 2022
Next review due: 29 April 2025

Ear pain? Contact the Ear, Nose, Throat Clinic

First aid for earache

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    First aid for ear pain

    If you have ear pain, you should contact an ENT doctor as soon as possible, this will quickly get rid of pain and not make a mistake in the diagnosis and choice of treatment .
    But quite often the symptoms of otitis appear in the evening or at night. Is it possible to apply warming compresses in such cases, as traditional medicine advises?
    Answer: – NO!

    Why is warming not a good first aid for otitis media?

    Indeed, heat helps increase blood flow to the affected area and increase the activity of impulses that suppress pain.
    But this positive effect of the thermal procedure can be safe only in the first hours of the development of the disease and in our case – only the catarrhal form of otitis media.
    And pain in the ear can also occur for other reasons: with otitis externa and with the deterioration of long-term (chronic otitis media), which until that time had practically not shown itself. In this case, thermal procedures will only increase inflammation and pain. Therefore, the first aid for pain in the ears can be considered taking an anesthetic and immediately contacting an ENT doctor. If at night, when taking an anesthetic, the pain does not go away, it is necessary to call the ambulance team.

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    Hello. The child is 4 years old, has constant otitis media, almost every acute respiratory infection (+ adenoitis, we are not considering an operation yet). What can be dripped for prophylaxis…

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    I have been treating serous otitis media for 3 months, without pain and discharge. Found exudate behind the eardrum. Conducted treatment and massage of the tympanic membrane,…

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    Article content0202 What is acute otitis?

  • Symptoms
  • First aid: home treatments
  • Urgent medical attention

Acute otitis is an acute inflammation of any of the three parts of the ear. The disease occurs at any age. The appearance of the first symptoms, as a rule, coincides with the late evening, when you can no longer go to the ENT doctor, but it is also unbearable to endure the shooting pain in the ear. With children it is even harder – they cannot accurately describe what and how it hurts them. What first aid measures to take to alleviate your condition or the condition of the child before contacting an otorhinolaryngologist? This will be discussed in a new article.

What is acute otitis media?

The human ear is a complex system. It is conditionally divided into three important sections: the outer, middle and inner ear.

Any part of the ear can become inflamed. Accordingly, otitis externa, otitis media and internal are distinguished. In eighty percent of cases, we are dealing with a manifestation of acute otitis media.

Acute otitis media affects people of all ages. But most often children get sick.

Medical statistics show that by the first grade, almost every child suffers from this disease at least once. What can provoke the disease?

There are quite a lot of factors provoking the disease:

  • past inflammation of the ENT organs;
  • ear injuries;
  • foreign objects in the ear;
  • frequent entry of water into the ear canal;
  • incorrect ear cleaning;
  • hypothermia;
  • weak immunity;
  • allergic reactions;
  • features of the anatomical structure of the organ of hearing in children (in childhood, the auditory tube is shorter, so it is easier for infections from the nasopharynx to get into the tympanic cavity of the ear).

Depending on the type of pathogen, bacterial, viral and fungal forms of inflammation are distinguished.

The acute form of the disease, as the name implies, begins rapidly and proceeds with vivid symptoms.

Symptoms

Signs of the disease vary depending on the location of the inflammation.

With external otitis from the first day of the disease, the patient feels constant itching in the ear canal, which is replaced by severe pain. Pain may radiate to the jaw or temple. The pain gets worse at night. The external form can leak with the formation of a furuncle in the ear canal. When it grows, it closes the lumen of the ear canal, which interferes with sound transmission, so the patient has a hearing loss.

Otitis media begins with a shooting pain in the ear, a feeling of congestion in it, and hearing loss. The disease may be accompanied by fever, runny nose. In babies, the disease can provoke disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea). A feature of this form of otitis media is the presence of purulent contents in the tympanic cavity. As soon as the purulent masses break through the eardrum and go outside, the patient’s condition improves, and he is on the mend.

Otitis media is characterized by frequent dizziness. At the same time, the patient’s hearing decreases, bouts of vomiting occur, and tinnitus is present. Most often, such inflammation develops against the background of otitis media as a complication. Therefore, it is very important to get qualified medical care at an early stage of the disease.

First Aid: Home Treatments

Illness usually starts in the late afternoon, so before going to the doctor it is a question of taking urgent measures to provide first aid to yourself or your child and relieve acute symptoms.

Friends! Timely and proper treatment will ensure you a speedy recovery!

Urgent measures for otitis media at home are aimed at temporarily paining the sore ear and relieving unpleasant symptoms until it becomes possible to consult an ENT doctor.

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It is a mistake to think that urgent measures taken at home will be enough for recovery. Only qualified medical assistance will quickly and effectively cope with inflammation.

What can you do at home before visiting an ENT doctor to relieve your condition?

  • put vasoconstrictor drops or vasoconstrictor sprays into the nasal passages – this urgent measure will relieve swelling of the auditory tube;
  • take an antipyretic if the inflammation is accompanied by high body temperature; similar drugs (for example, Nurofen) also have an analgesic effect;
  • protect your ear from drafts and hypothermia, but never warm it up;
  • put Otipax or Otinum drops into the ear canal (they must be used with caution, more on that later), then close the ear canal with cotton;
  • a cotton wick soaked in boric alcohol can be placed in the ear canal for half an hour;
  • in the presence of purulent secretions, gently wipe them with a cotton swab – but only from the edge of the ear canal, you can’t climb deep inside!

It must be remembered that emergency care should not be carried out thoughtlessly. There are a number of restrictions that should not be forgotten.

What can not be done with otitis media? In no case should you warm up the ear or make warm compresses if the patient has an elevated body temperature or pus is released from the ear canal. Heat exposure will only increase the spread of infection throughout the body.

When using ear drops, you must also remember the following precautions:

  • if you suspect a perforation in the eardrum, which may be evidenced by suppuration from the ear, do not use drops;
  • let the drops warm to room temperature before putting them in the ear;
  • Do not use drops during pregnancy or nursing without consulting your doctor.

These emergency measures will only temporarily relieve pain, full treatment must be carried out under the supervision of an otorhinolaryngologist.

Seek immediate medical attention

Treatment of acute otitis requires competent treatment. Therefore, as soon as possible, you need to contact an otorhinolaryngologist. Incorrect treatment can lead to serious complications: the development of chronic otitis media, persistent hearing loss, cholesteatoma formation, inflammation of the brain, brain abscess, sepsis, etc.

At the appointment, the ENT doctor will examine the diseased ear, determine the type of otitis media, assess the condition of the tympanic membrane and ear canal, and give the necessary appointments. Therapy for acute otitis media includes taking antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor drugs. If necessary, a toilet of the outer and middle ear, pneumomassage of the tympanic membrane and physiotherapy are carried out.

Therapy of acute otitis is a profile of the ENT Clinic of Dr. Zaitsev. Highly qualified specialists, the most modern equipment and rich practical experience allow us to provide high-quality medical care at the best prices in Moscow.

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Sources

  1. Burmistrova T. V. Principal approaches to the treatment of exudative otitis media // Ros. rhinology. 2005. – No. 1 (14). – S. 39 -41.
  2. Zaitsev V.M. Children’s ENT. How to protect the health of the ears, nose and throat. – M.: EKSMO, 2018. – 224 p.
  3. Zubkovskaya S.A. Auditory dysfunction in exudative otitis / S.A. Zubkovskaya // XVI Congress of Otorhinolaryngologists of the Russian Federation: abstract. report SPb., 2001. – S. 83-84.
  4. Kosyakov S.Ya. Treatment of acute, protracted and recurrent otitis media / S.Ya. Kosyakov, A.S. Lopatin // Right, polycl. doctor. 2004. – No. 4. – S. 59-62.
  5. Kryukov A.I., Turovsky A.B. Acute otitis media basic principles of treatment in modern conditions // Consilium medicum. – 2002. – V. 2. – No. 5. S. 11-17.
  6. Lopotko A.