What can i use for an earache?. Earache can be debilitating, but they don’t always warrant antibiotics. Here are 11 effective remedies to relieve ear pain without prescription medication.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

You can use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to control pain associated with a painful type of ear infection called acute otitis media (AOM). They’re safe to use with or without antibiotics, but be sure to follow the dosing instructions on the label. These medications can also help lower a fever.

Talk with your doctor about the appropriate dose for children. Children and infant versions are available for many OTC pain relievers. It’s unsafe for children under age 16 to take aspirin.

Cold or Warm Compresses

People often use ice packs or warm compresses, like a heating pad or damp washcloth, to relieve pain. The same can be done for ear pain. This method is safe for both children and adults.

Place the ice pack or warm compress over the ear and alternate between warm and cold after 10 minutes. If you prefer either cold or warm, you can use just one compress.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has some antibacterial properties, though there’s no solid scientific evidence to prove that drops of olive oil in your ear canal can soothe ear pain. That said, putting a few warmed drops of olive oil in the ear is safe and may be worth a try. It’s still a good idea to discuss this method with your doctor first, especially for children. Make sure the olive oil is no warmer than your body temperature by using a thermometer. This will help you avoid burning the eardrum.

Naturopathic Drops

Naturopathic ear drops are made from herbal extracts. They can be found online and in some drug stores. An early study found that drops containing herbal extracts in a base of olive oil could be just as, or even more, effective as traditional OTC ear drops. An old 2001 study found that using these drops may lead to improvement in ear pain levels. That said, a 2019 study suggests that they don’t necessarily help when it comes to treating ear infections.

Chiropractic Treatment

If you go to the chiropractor for adjustments, you may find that your appointment can soothe your earache as much as your back pain.

There aren’t many studies looking at the effectiveness of this. One older 2011 study suggests it may help, though how it works isn’t understood. The effectiveness will also depend on the cause of your pain, so it’s a good idea to see a doctor first for a diagnosis.

Sleep Without Putting Pressure on the Ear

Some sleep positions will aggravate pain from ear infections, while some can help relieve it. Sleep with the affected ear raised instead of having it faced down toward the pillow. This can help the ear drain better if necessary.

You can also sleep with your head elevated by using extra pillows. This can also help the ears drain faster.

Ginger and Garlic

Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe pain from earaches. Apply ginger juice or strained oil that was warmed with ginger in it around the outer ear canal. Do not put it directly into the ear.

Garlic has both antibiotic and pain-relieving properties. Soak crushed garlic for several minutes in warm olive or sesame oil. Strain the garlic out and apply the oil to the ear canal.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a natural remedy for earaches, particularly if the cause is wax buildup. To use this method of treatment, place several drops of hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear. Let it sit for several minutes before letting it drain into a sink. Rinse your ear with clean, distilled water.

If it’s a child battling an earache, do your best to get them comfortable by taking their mind off the pain. You may want to: put on their favorite movie, bring home a new coloring book, have a bubble bath with lots of toys, let them play a game on your phone or tablet, pick up their favorite snack, try to get them to focus on other things.

If your child is of teething age, offer cooled teething toys for chewing. This method also works for adults. Treat yourself to a good book or a favorite movie to take your mind off the earache.

There are many possible causes of earache. Possible causes that are relatively common include middle ear infections, swimmer’s ear, ear wax buildup, and sinus infections. It’s important to see a doctor to determine the underlying cause and get appropriate treatment.

Earache: 11 Effective Remedies

Not all ear infections are bacterial or need prescription medication. You may be able to relieve ear pain with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.

Earaches can be debilitating, but they don’t always warrant antibiotics. Prescribing guidelines for ear infections have changed in the last five years. Your child might not even be prescribed antibiotics.

In fact, you could find all the relief you need in your home with treatments such as:

• over-the-counter pain relievers
• cold or warm compresses
• olive oil
• neck exercises
• ginger
• garlic
• hydrogen peroxide

Here are 10 home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for earaches.

The following 10 remedies may help you relieve your pain. That said, treatment can depend on the cause, so you may want to see your doctor first.

1. Over-the-counter pain relievers

You can use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to control pain associated with a painful type of ear infection called acute otitis media (AOM).

They’re safe to use with or without antibiotics, but be sure to follow the dosing instructions on the label. These medications can also help lower a fever.

Talk with your doctor about the appropriate dose for children. Children and infant versions are available for many OTC pain relievers. It’s unsafe for children under age 16 to take aspirin.

2. Cold or warm compresses

People often use ice packs or warm compresses, like a heating pad or damp washcloth, to relieve pain. The same can be done for ear pain. This method is safe for both children and adults.

Place the ice pack or warm compress over the ear and alternate between warm and cold after 10 minutes. If you prefer either cold or warm, you can use just one compress.

3. Olive oil

Olive oil has some antibacterial properties, though there’s no solid scientific evidence to prove that drops of olive oil in your ear canal can soothe ear pain. That said, putting a few warmed drops of olive oil in the ear is safe and may be worth a try.

It’s still a good idea to discuss this method with your doctor first, especially for children. Make sure the olive oil is no warmer than your body temperature by using a thermometer. This will help you avoid burning the eardrum.

4. Naturopathic drops

Naturopathic ear drops are made from herbal extracts. They can be found online and in some drug stores. An early study found that drops containing herbal extracts in a base of olive oil could be just as, or even more, effective as traditional OTC ear drops.

An old 2001 study found that using these drops may lead to improvement in ear pain levels. That said, a 2019 study suggests that they don’t necessarily help when it comes to treating ear infections.

5. Chiropractic treatment

If you go to the chiropractor for adjustments, you may find that your appointment can soothe your earache as much as your back pain.

There aren’t many studies looking at the effectiveness of this. One older 2011 study suggests it may help, though how it works isn’t understood. The effectiveness will also depend on the cause of your pain, so it’s a good idea to see a doctor first for a diagnosis.

6. Sleep without putting pressure on the ear

Some sleep positions will aggravate pain from ear infections, while some can help relieve it. Sleep with the affected ear raised instead of having it faced down toward the pillow. This can help the ear drain better if necessary.

You can also sleep with your head elevated by using extra pillows. This can also help the ears drain faster.

7. Ginger

Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe pain from earaches. Apply ginger juice or strained oil that was warmed with ginger in it around the outer ear canal. Do not put it directly into the ear.

8. Garlic

Garlic has both antibiotic and pain-relieving properties. Soak crushed garlic for several minutes in warm olive or sesame oil. Strain the garlic out and apply the oil to the ear canal.

9. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a natural remedy for earaches, particularly if the cause is wax buildup. To use this method of treatment, place several drops of hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear. Let it sit for several minutes before letting it drain into a sink. Rinse your ear with clean, distilled water.

If it’s a child battling an earache, do your best to get them comfortable by taking their mind off the pain.

You may want to:

• put on their favorite movie
• bring home a new coloring book
• have a bubble bath with lots of toys
• let them play a game on your phone or tablet
• pick up their favorite snack
• try to get them to focus on other things

If your child is of teething age, offer cooled teething toys for chewing.

This method also works for adults. Treat yourself to a good book or a favorite movie to take your mind off the earache.

There are many possible causes of earache. Possible causes that are relatively common include:

• cavities
• sinus infections
• earwax
• tonsillitis
• teeth grinding

The most common ear infection is acute otitis media (AOM), or a middle ear infection.

It’s characterized by swollen and infected portions of the middle ear. The pain associated with AOM is caused by fluid becoming trapped behind the eardrum. Symptoms may include:

• fever
• pain inside the ear
• slight hearing loss
• feeling sick in general

Babies and children may be restless, cranky, and pull at their ears.

The best home remedy for an earache depends on the cause. If a cavity is to blame, your earache may not improve until you see a dentist. However, if it’s an ear infection, using a natural remedy could make the illness bearable as your body fights off the infection.

Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician if your child has ear pain, especially if they are under 2 years of age.

If your child is running a high fever, or if a fever lasts longer than a day, seek immediate medical care. High fever for children is defined as:

• infants less than 3 months old rectal 100.4ºF (38ºC) or greater
• children 3 months to 3 years old rectal 102ºF (38. 9ºC) or greater
• children of any age oral, rectal, or forehead 104ºF (40ºC) or greater

Your doctor can provide guidance on whether you should try home remedies first or consider an antibiotic.

How do you get rid of an earache fast?

There’s no immediate magic cure for earache, but some natural or over-the-counter remedies can provide relief. Depending on the cause, you may need to get medical treatment.

When should I go to the doctor for earache?

Any time there’s ear pain, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to find the cause and see if you need treatment. That said, if your pain is mild, you can try to wait a bit and see if it resolves on its own. Definitely see a doctor if your pain is acute or you also have a fever.

How long should an earache last?

Many ear infections clear up on their own in about a week or two, with symptoms starting to get better after a few days. However, if your pain has another cause, it may resolve sooner or later. If the pain hasn’t resolved within several days, make an appointment with your doctor.

While there isn’t much evidence on alternative treatments for earaches, many home remedies can soothe the pain.

No Need For Antibiotics The latest guidelines from the AAP suggest that doctors should focus on pain management, not antibiotics, for ear infections. This is because ear infections often go away on their own, and the overuse of antibiotics could lead to antibiotic-resistant infections.

Effectiveness, Methods, Safety, Ear Wax, Infect

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Some people use a few drops of olive oil to reduce earwax buildup or treat an ear infection. While more research is needed, it may be safe to give this home remedy a try.

Olive oil is one of the most common cooking oils and a staple in the Mediterranean diet. It has many health benefits too, including lowering your risk of cancer, heart disease, and other conditions.

It’s also a traditional remedy for removing ear wax and treating ear infections. Read on to learn more about the effectiveness of using olive oil in your ears and how to try it for yourself.

For ear wax

Ear wax is produced by glands at the entrance to your ear canal to lubricate and protect your skin. It usually doesn’t need to be removed. However, a buildup of wax can sometimes affect your hearing, cause discomfort, or interfere with hearing aid use. It can also trap bacteria, increasing your risk of developing an ear infection.

There aren’t many large, high-quality studies about the effectiveness of olive oil for removing ear wax. A 2013 study followed participants who applied olive oil to their ears every night for 24 weeks. Over time, olive oil actually increased the amount of ear wax. However, applying olive oil to the ear just before having a doctor remove extra ear wax did seem to help ensure that all the wax was removed.

When it comes to removing ear wax, it’s best to stick with ear drops specifically designed for removing ear wax. You can purchase these on Amazon.

For ear infection

Some people also use olive oil to treat ear pain caused by an infection. Olive oil does have some antibacterial properties, but it’s unclear whether it kills the types of bacteria that cause ear infections.

Still, a 2003 study found that herbal ear drops containing olive oil helped to reduce pain from an ear infection in children. Keep in mind that these drops also contained soothing herbs, such as lavender and calendula, in addition to olive oil.

While there’s no clear evidence about the effectiveness of olive oil on its own for common ear problems, it’s also not associated with any serious health consequences, so you can still try it to see for yourself.

To apply drops to your ear, use a glass dropper or you can dip a cotton swab in olive oil and allow the excess to drip into your ear. Don’t put the cotton swab or any other object in your ear.

You can use room-temperature olive oil, though some people prefer to warm it up in a pan over low heat. Make sure to test the temperature on your skin first. The oil should be just slightly warm, not hot.

Follow these instructions to safely apply olive oil to your ears at home:

1. Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
2. Gently pull your outer part of your ear back and up to open your ear canal.
3. Put two or three drops of olive oil in the opening of your ear.
4. Gently massage the skin at the front of the entrance to your ear canal to help the oil work its way in.
5. Remain on your side for 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe away any extra oil that drips from your ear when you sit up.
6. Repeat in the other ear if needed.

Tailor the application to your need, and contact your doctor if you aren’t seeing the desired results:

• For ear wax removal, do this once a day for one or two weeks. If you’re not feeling any relief by then, contact your doctor. Remember, long-term use of olive oil in your ear may lead to even more built-up wax.
• To treat an ear infection, do this twice a day for two to three days. If your symptoms aren’t getting any better after a few days, or you develop a fever, see your doctor.

It’s important to choose a high-quality olive oil if you’re using it for medicinal purposes. When choosing an olive oil, look for extra virgin olive oil. This type of olive oil isn’t chemically processed, (processing can reduce some of its therapeutic benefits).

You can also purchase olive oil–based herbal ear drops. These contain extracts from medicinal plants, such as garlic, that might provide added benefits. You can purchase these drops on Amazon.

While olive oil is generally safe, there are a few precautions you should take when using it in your ears.

Don’t use olive oil or any other product in the ear if you have a ruptured ear drum. If you’re not sure if you have a ruptured ear drum, see your doctor before using any remedy in your ear, including natural remedies.

Don’t place cotton swabs or any other object inside the ear to remove wax or relieve itching. This can easily damage your ear drum or push wax deeper into your ear. Putting cotton swabs in your ear also increases your risk of developing an ear infection. It’s also responsible for sending thousands of children to the emergency room with ear injuries each year.

Finally, make sure to use only room-temperature or just slightly warmed olive oil to avoid burning the delicate skin in your ear.

Olive oil may have some benefits for your ears, but it can sometimes do more harm than good, especially when it comes to removing ear wax.

You can try using it for a short period of time for both ear wax removal or ear pain from an infection, but make sure to follow up with your doctor if your symptoms don’t start to improve within a few days or weeks.

You should also steer clear of this natural remedy if you have a ruptured ear drum. Choose another approach that is better supported with research.

What to do when your ear hurts – an article on the website Aptechestvo, Nizhny Novgorod

Ear pain in adults or ear pain in a child is simply exhausting. Usually it is accompanied by discomfort, fatigue, sleep disturbance, loud crying. Practice shows that people with ear pain make many mistakes that lead to complications. What to do when your ear hurts? First of all, you need to consult a doctor who will diagnose ear pain and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment.

When an adult’s ear hurts or a child’s ear hurts, discomfort can occur in different departments. We will analyze them in accordance with the generally accepted classification.

Pain in the outer ear

This part of the auditory organ is considered the most unprotected for infections. Why does my ear hurt? Very often, pain occurs due to inflammatory processes caused by bacteria. Another reason is improper cleaning, physical damage, foreign bodies. All this leads to the appearance of boils and even eczema. In such cases, doctors put otitis externa.

Pain in the middle ear

Ear pain can also appear in the middle ear. The department is closely connected with the outer ear and nasopharynx. Therefore, it is also characterized by the appearance of infections. Pathologies in the middle ear are accompanied by shooting pain, pulsation, hearing loss, distortion of the perception of one’s own voice.

Main pathologies:

• inflammatory processes;

• tumors in the tympanic cavity;

• trauma and breach of integrity;

• problems in the auditory tube.

In some cases, severe ear pain may appear after going to the pool. Pain extends both to the outer ear, where the infection could have entered, and to the middle ear, where pain is caused by the strong pressure of water when diving to depth.

Pathologies of the inner ear

The defeat of the inner ear in most cases is not accompanied by pain. Therefore, here, it is best to talk about pathologies. The main symptoms: impaired coordination, periodic nausea, extraneous sounds, headaches, dizziness and rapid hearing loss. The list of the main diseases that are the result of damage to the inner ear:

• labyrinthitis;

• hearing loss;

• Meniere’s disease;

• otosclerosis.

In addition, in some cases, acute ear pain may be due to complications in other organs. For example, dental problems, trigeminal neuralgia, or swelling of the larynx.

Ear hurts, how to treat?

Sometimes, if a child’s ear hurts, the parents don’t know what to do. If acute ear pain is not possible to see a doctor, you should use painkillers. For example, take a tablet of Solpadein, Tempalgin or Pentalgin. In some cases, it is possible to use vasoconstrictor ear drops. In addition, a solution of ammonia with camphor will help. Gauze is dipped into the solution and placed in the ear for a few minutes. This allows you to get rid of pain.

Help for ear pain

Contents

• Causes of ear pain
• Otitis as a common cause of ear pain
• First aid for ear pain
• First aid for ear pain OM

Acute pain in the ear always delivers strong discomfort. Until you get to the otolaryngologist for an appointment, and the drugs prescribed by him begin to work, you will need reliable and safe ways to eliminate the painful symptom. What is the first aid for ear pain?

Contents

Causes of ear pain

Both the course of treatment prescribed by the otolaryngologist and the first aid methods for ear pain will depend on what disease caused the painful symptom. The following pathological conditions can cause pain in the organ of hearing:

1. Pressure drops. If the auditory tube does not perform its function well, then during pressure drops (when diving and ascent, takeoff and landing, traveling by car or train), unpleasant sensations arise in the organ of hearing. The eardrum retracts inward, causing ear pain, pressure, and congestion.
2. Inflammatory processes of different locations. Otitis and inflammatory processes in all parts of the organ of hearing can lead to the occurrence of painful symptoms. So, boils, erysipelas and eczema may appear in the outer ear; on average – different forms of otitis, in the internal – labyrinthitis.
3. Acute pain in the ear can occur after trauma to various parts of the hearing organ. Painful symptoms can manifest themselves due to improper hygiene of the auditory canal, the ingress of foreign bodies into it and the shocks suffered.
4. Inflammation of the parotid gland. The close location of this gland to the organ of hearing in the event of an abscess leads to the fact that patients begin to complain of severe pain in the ear.
5. Mastoiditis. One of the sections of the middle ear – the mastoid process of the temporal bone – can also undergo an inflammatory process that has become a complication of otitis media. During the course of the disease, patients complain of very intense ear pain.

Ear pain is not always associated with diseases and inflammatory processes in the organ of hearing.

Pathological conditions in other parts of the human body can provoke the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms:

ear pain may appear against the background of sinusitis, in which purulent masses press on the nerve receptors that transmit signals to the organ of hearing.

See also: By what signs can you understand that the baby has an earache?

Since a painful symptom can indicate various diseases related to different areas, only a specialist is able to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment for the underlying pathology. If the otolaryngologist does not find the “ear” cause of the appeared pain in your hearing organ, he will redirect you to other narrow specialists – a dentist, neurologist, surgeon or therapist.

Otitis as a common cause of pain in the ear

Otitis is the most common cause of pain in the ear. These inflammatory processes can be localized in different parts of the organ of hearing, and then the nature of the pain and its accompanying symptoms will also differ.

Otitis externa

Inflammation of the external part of the ear develops mainly under the skin of the auricle or auditory canal. This otitis media usually leads to water entering the passage or when the integument is injured.

Ear pain in otitis externa is usually located closer to the exit of the auditory canal. As purulent masses accumulate under the skin, patients also note the appearance of itching, a feeling of pressure inside the hearing organ. If the tissues of the ear canal swell strongly and the lumen of the canal overlaps, there is also a feeling of stuffiness in the ear.

Otitis media

An acute inflammatory process affecting the tympanic cavity is always accompanied by excruciating sharp and shooting pain in the ear. Due to the fact that the mucous membrane of the middle ear is densely lined with nerve endings, the painful symptom becomes the very first signal that speaks of the development of the pathological process.

The disease, in addition to pain in the ear, is accompanied by increasing hearing loss, a feeling of congestion and pressure deep inside the organ.

Pain increases at rest, usually at night – this is due to an increase in exudate pressure on the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity.

Pain in the ear with otitis in acute form, as a rule, immediately disappears after the rupture of the eardrum under the pressure of purulent masses. But the relief of symptoms does not mean the end of the disease – if at this stage the need for antibiotic therapy is ignored, the pathology can develop into a chronic form.

See also: Hearing aid for the elderly: selection rules

First aid for ear pain

First aid for ear pain will be different depending on what pathological condition caused the appearance of this unpleasant symptom.

Pressure Drop First Aid

Earache caused by pressure drop can be relieved by simple techniques to reposition the eardrum:

• Chew gum;
• swallow saliva several times;
• close the nostrils, close the lips tightly and exhale smoothly through the nose;
• Press the tragus against the entrance to the ear canal.

Toothache First Aid

If you are sure that your earache was caused by a toothache, then you should take painkillers to relieve symptoms and make an appointment with your dentist.

Sinusitis First Aid

For earache caused by sinusitis, a series of relief measures can help you:

1. First of all, the nasal passages should be washed from accumulated mucous masses with saline solution.
2. To thin the mucus, ensure optimal humidity in the room, drink more fluids and take special preparations, such as sinupret.
3. To eliminate swelling, vasoconstrictor drugs should be instilled into the nasal passages.

First Aid for Otitis Pain

How you deal with ear pain from otitis media will depend on your symptoms. If you have a fever and discomfort increases in a horizontal position, it is better not to take risks and, after taking a painkiller, wait for the consultation of an otolaryngologist.

The fact is that if the nature of the disease is unclear, one cannot self-medicate and use folk methods based on heating. Heat will temporarily eliminate the pain in the ear, but it can also accelerate the development of pathogenic flora in purulent otitis media and lead to serious complications.

Painkiller

Taking an analgesic will help you fall asleep and calmly wait for an appointment with an otolaryngologist. Paracetamol, Novigan or ibuprofen can help you with ear pain. The last drug, in addition to eliminating the painful symptom, is able to slightly restrain the development of the inflammatory process. To enhance the action of analgesics during the day, you can drink a little coffee or strong tea.

Ear drops

Ear drops should only be used if you are sure of the nature of your condition. So, patients suffering from chronic forms of otitis media, without waiting for the consultation of an otolaryngologist, usually begin topical use of analgesic drugs. Otipax and Otinum effectively relieve ear pain, while they do not have an antibacterial effect, which means that when you visit an otolaryngologist, he will be able to freely choose the optimal treatment program for the disease for you.

See also: Prevention of otitis in adults and children

Dry heat

Applying warm salt bags to the sore ear or using a blue lamp due to the action of heat will quickly relieve pain. But the use of such a method in some cases is fraught with negative consequences. So, if the pain in the ear is caused by purulent processes in the tissues of the organ of hearing, dry heat will only provoke the development of pathogenic flora and increased exudate release.

Therefore, before consulting an otolaryngologist, it is better not to apply dry heat in order to eliminate in the ear.

Camphor compress

This is another way to relieve ear pain based on the effect of heating. You can use it only in situations where you are sure that there is no purulent process in your organ of hearing.

1. To make a warming compress to relieve ear pain, prepare gauze, fold it into 4 layers and cut a hole in the middle for the ear.
2. According to the size of the bandage, you need to cut the same pattern from polyethylene.
3. Soak the created bandage in slightly warmed camphor oil and put it on the affected ear through the hole.
4. Polyethylene is applied on top of the bandage, the entire compress is fixed with a bandage and covered with a towel to keep warm.