What’s good for earache pain? How can home remedies help ear pain? What treatments are available for ear infections? Get answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive guide.

Effective Home Remedies for Ear Pain Relief

Ear pain can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience, but there are several home remedies you can try to find relief. While the research on their effectiveness is limited, many doctors agree that these treatments are generally safe to try at home:

Cool or Warm Compress

Soak a washcloth in either cool or warm water, wring it out, and then hold it over the affected ear. Experiment with both temperatures to see which one provides more relief.

Heating Pad

Lay your painful ear on a warm, not hot, heating pad to help reduce discomfort.

Over-the-Counter Ear Drops

Over-the-counter ear drops with pain relievers may provide temporary relief, but you should check with your doctor before using them, especially if your eardrum has a tear or hole.

Pain Relievers

Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can often help relieve the pain of an earache. Consult your doctor to determine the best option for you.

Chewing Gum

If your ear pain is due to changes in air pressure, such as when flying or driving at high altitudes, chewing gum can help lower the pressure and ease your symptoms.

Sleeping Upright

Resting or sleeping in a more upright position can encourage fluid in your ear to drain, which may help relieve pressure and pain in your middle ear.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Ear Pain

While ear pain often goes away on its own or with home care within a few days, there are certain situations where you should call your doctor:

Signs of a Serious Infection

If you notice fluid (such as pus or blood) oozing from your ear, have a high fever, headache, or dizziness, it’s important to seek medical attention as these could be signs of a more serious infection.

Sudden Hearing Loss or Muscle Weakness

If you see swelling behind your ear or experience sudden hearing loss or facial muscle weakness, these could indicate a more serious problem, and you should contact your doctor immediately.

Persistent or Worsening Symptoms

If your ear pain doesn’t improve within 24-48 hours or gets worse, it’s best to see your doctor to determine the underlying cause and get appropriate treatment.

Diagnosing and Treating Ear Infections

Ear infections are more common in children, but adults can also develop them. If you or your child has an earache, your doctor will likely perform a physical examination to look for signs of infection, such as a red or bulging eardrum with fluid behind it.

Antibiotic Treatments

If the infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It’s important to follow all instructions and complete the full course of treatment.

Pain Relief Medications

Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help reduce pain and fever associated with the infection.

Home Care Recommendations

In addition to medications, your doctor may suggest home care strategies, such as the ones discussed earlier, to help manage symptoms and promote healing.

Understanding the Causes of Ear Pain

Ear pain can have a variety of underlying causes, including:

Ear Infections

Viral or bacterial infections in the middle or outer ear are a common cause of ear pain. These infections can lead to inflammation and fluid buildup, causing discomfort.

Changes in Air Pressure

Rapid changes in air pressure, such as when flying or driving at high altitudes, can also cause ear pain as the pressure in the middle ear becomes misaligned with the external environment.

Foreign Objects

If an object becomes lodged in the ear canal, it can cause pain, swelling, and potential infection.

Referred Pain

In some cases, ear pain can be a symptom of an issue in another part of the body, such as a sore throat or a toothache, due to the interconnected nature of the head and neck region.

Preventing Ear Infections and Pain

While not all ear pain and infections can be prevented, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

Proper Hygiene

Keeping your ears clean and dry, and avoiding sticking objects in your ears, can help prevent infections and irritation.

Vaccination

Certain vaccines, such as the pneumococcal and influenza vaccines, can help protect against ear infections, particularly in children.

Addressing Underlying Conditions

Managing conditions like allergies or sinus infections that can contribute to ear problems may also help prevent recurrent ear pain and infections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best home remedy for ear pain?

The best home remedies for ear pain include using a cool or warm compress, applying a heating pad, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These can help reduce discomfort and inflammation.

When should I see a doctor for ear pain?

You should see a doctor if your ear pain is accompanied by symptoms like fever, dizziness, fluid or pus draining from the ear, sudden hearing loss, or if the pain persists for more than 24-48 hours without improvement.

Can ear infections be treated without antibiotics?

Yes, many ear infections, especially those caused by viruses, can be treated without antibiotics. Your doctor may recommend pain relievers, eardrops, and home care strategies to manage the symptoms while the infection clears on its own.

How can I prevent ear infections?

To help prevent ear infections, practice good hygiene by keeping your ears clean and dry, get recommended vaccines, and manage any underlying conditions that may contribute to ear problems, such as allergies or sinus infections.

Home Treatments & Remedies for Earaches

Can Home Remedies Help Your Ear Pain?

You may think of ear infections as something only kids get. Ear infections are less common in grown children and adults, but they can still happen.

Ear infections often go away on their own and don’t need medical attention. There are things you can try to ease ear pain at home.

Home Care to Relieve Ear Pain

If you have ear pain, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about it.

There’s little research to say whether or not home care works, but most doctors agree these treatments are safe to try yourself:

A cool or warm compress. Soak a washcloth in either cool or warm water, wring it out, and then put it over the ear that’s bothering you. Try both temperatures to see if one helps you more than the other.

A heating pad: Lay your painful ear on a warm, not hot, heating pad.

Over-the-counter ear drops with pain relievers. If they help at all, it’s only briefly. You shouldn’t use these drops if your eardrum has a tear or hole, so check with your doctor first.

Continued

Pain reliever. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can often relieve the pain of an earache. Ask your doctor which is right for you.

Chew gum. If you’re on an airplane or driving at high altitudes and your ear pain is from the change in air pressure, chew some gum. It can help lower that pressure and ease your symptoms.

Sleep upright. While it may sound strange, resting or sleeping sitting up rather than lying down can encourage fluid in your ear to drain. This could ease pressure and pain in your middle ear. Prop yourself up in bed with a stack of pillows, or sleep in an armchair that’s a bit reclined.

When to Call a Doctor

Ear pain often gets better in 2 or 3 days on its own or with home care. Often all you need to do is take a pain reliever and be alert for symptoms that get worse. That said, it’s important to know when your discomfort might be a sign of something more serious.

Call your doctor if:

• You notice fluid (such as pus or blood) oozing out of your ear.
• You have a high fever, headache, or are dizzy.
• You believe an object is stuck in your ear.
• You see swelling behind your ear, especially if that side of your face feels weak or you can’t move the muscles there.
• You’ve had severe ear pain and it suddenly stops (which could mean a ruptured eardrum).
• Your symptoms don’t get better (or get worse) in 24 to 48 hours.

Ear Infection Treatments, Antibiotics, & Medications

If you care for children, you likely know already how often they come down with earaches. Adults get them, too, but youngsters have them much more often. That’s because they don’t fight off viruses and bacteria as well, and their little ears aren’t good at draining fluids yet.

You or your child may have a sore throat, stuffy nose, or fever along with an earache. These are signs of a possible infection.

Call your doctor so she can find out for sure what’s going on. If it is an infection, she can recommend the best treatment for your case.

What Is My Doctor Looking For?

Your doctor will ask you about any symptoms you’ve had. Be sure to come to the office with any notes you might need and questions on your mind.

She will look at the eardrum with an instrument called an otoscope for signs of infection. This is a tough task with a fussy infant, so be ready to help calm the little one if it’s your child with the earache.

Continued

Signs of infection include a red eardrum or a bulging eardrum with fluid behind it. The fluid may be thin like during a cold, or thick like pus. It is located in the middle ear, just behind the ear drum. Otitis media means inflammation of the middle ear. A puffer attached to the otoscope blows air to see if your thin eardrum moves. With fluid in the middle ear, the eardrum is more rigid and doesn’t move back and forth.

She might also look for signs of infection with another instrument. It’s called a tympanometer, and it uses sound and air pressure to check for fluid in the middle ear.

Treatments

Often, a virus causes an ear infection, in which case antibiotics won’t help. If, based on the history, your doctor suspects that bacteria may have caused the infection, she may prescribe an antibiotic.

You may also talk to your doctor about things you can do at home.

Pain Relief

If a virus or bacteria are causing the infection and you have to wait for it to get better, you don’t need to live with the pain.

Your doctor may recommend a pain reliever, typically acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), which also helps reduce a fever. Aspirin should be avoided in children because of the threat of Reye’s syndrome, a rare condition that can cause swelling in the brain or liver.

Pain can also be reduced by using low heat from a heating pad. Be very careful using a heating pad with children.

Antibiotics

If your doctor decides to go with antibiotics, follow all the instructions. Take all of the doses even if you or your child are feeling better. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you skip a dose or feel sick from the medicine.

If you don’t take the whole course, your infection could come back and become resistant to more treatments.

Drainage

If an infection causes serious complications, fluid remains in the ear for a long time, or your child has ear infections that keep coming back, your doctor might want to do a procedure called a myringotomy.

Continued

She creates a small hole in the eardrum so fluids such as water, blood, or pus can drain out. In many cases, she will put in a tube so it won’t get backed up again.

The tube, which will usually fall out on its own in about 6 to 18 months, lets the fluid out and air flow through to keep the middle ear dry. Tubes also:

• Reduce pain
• Improve hearing
• Cut down on the number of infections your child may have

When younger children get these ear tubes, it’s surgery. They will need to go to the hospital and take something to sleep during the procedure, which usually lasts about 15 minutes.

Older children and adults can have it done while they’re awake. For them, it can be done in their doctor’s office.

This surgery rarely leads to infection or scarring and usually prevents long-term symptoms. If the tubes come out and the infections return, talk to your doctor about more treatments.

Doctors generally don’t consider the removal of tonsils helpful for ear infections.

Natural Remedies

You can do things at home to ease your symptoms. Talk to your doctor first about these tips:

Warmth: You may find a heated compress brings comfort.

Feedings: If you feed your baby with a bottle, do it standing up. Don’t put your infant to bed with one. Try to take your child off it as soon as the doctor thinks he’s ready.

Gargling: In older children or adults, salt water helps soothe a raw throat and may help clear the Eustachian tubes.

Stand tall: Holding your head erect can help drain your middle ear.

Fresh air: Smokers should refrain from smoking inside the house or anywhere near your child.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

3 Home Remedies for an Ear Infection – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Your kiddo is tugging on her ear again. Uh-oh. Or maybe ear pain is keeping you up at night. No matter the age, ear infections are no fun. ENT-otolaryngologist Anh Nguyen-Huynh, MD, explains all about ear infections, and the earache remedies you can try at home.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

What type of ear infection is it?

There are two common types of ear infections:

• Otitis media: This ear infection affects the middle ear (right behind the eardrum). Middle ear infections are common in kids and tend to cause trouble hearing, fevers, and pain without much outward signs such as ear drainage or swelling.
• Otitis externa: This infection affects the ear canal, and is commonly known as swimmer’s ear because water exposure is a risk factor for it. Swimmer’s ear is painful, too, and tends to have more visible signs such as a swollen ear canal or pus drainage.

“There are several home remedies for earaches,” says Dr. Nguyen-Huynh. “Try these for the first two or three days if symptoms are mild.”

Earache remedies you can try

1. Hot or cold compress

The skinny: Grab an ice or heat pack and put it on
the affected ear to help with the pain.

Doctor’s advice: The temperature you use is up to you. Wrap it in a towel to
make sure it’s not too cold or too hot. You don’t want to cause any burns.

2. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers

The skinny: Pain relievers work as advertised, helping take the edge off the pain.

Doctor’s advice: Both adults and kids can rest easier when they take acetaminophen or ibuprofen at the right dosage. These medications reduce pain and fever, making you feel more comfortable.

3. Sleep position

The skinny: How you sleep can affect ear pain. Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so the affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Or if the left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. Less pressure = less ear pain.

Doctor’s advice: It could be effective, though a few inches may not make a big difference in pressure measurement. But if it makes you feel better, go for it.

Two home remedies for earaches that are best left on the shelf

1. OTC numbing drops

Dr. Nguyen-Huynh recommends
avoiding numbing drops. “The effect is very brief, and sometimes it does the
opposite and stings the ear.”

2. Oils

Be it garlic, tea tree or olive —
people swear by putting oil in the ear to help with ear infections. While
garlic does have antibacterial properties, Dr. Nguyen-Huynh urges caution. If you’re
using it for a middle ear infection, it won’t get to the source of the problem.
And even if you do have a hole in your eardrum, there aren’t studies showing
it’s safe to put garlic in there.

When to see a doctor about an earache

Dr. Nguyen-Huynh recommends seeing a doctor if:

• Your
  symptoms remain after two
  or three days, even if you’ve tried over-the-counter or home remedies.
• Your
  ear is very painful, or
  you have other symptoms that bother you.

Other common conditions, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), can masquerade as earache infections. TMJ causes ear pain because the ear canal and the jaw joint share a nerve. “If you have ear pain along with trouble chewing, talking or yawning, then you should see a dentist or TMJ expert to be sure you’re treating the right condition,” notes Dr. Nguyen-Huynh.

The good news? Hot and cold compresses and OTC pain relievers can also help relieve TMJ pain until you sort things out.

13 home remedies for ear infections and earaches

If you’ve ever had an ear infection, then you know how uncomfortable they can be. Earaches are painful for adults and children alike but are easy to treat if you know what to do. Let’s take a look at the best home remedies for ear infections, as well as some ear infection medications.  

Bacteria or viruses most commonly cause ear infections (acute otitis media). Ear infections often happen as a result of allergies, colds, or upper respiratory problems. When the tubes inside the ear fill up with fluid and mucus, this causes an infection. 

Kids get more ear infections than adults do, and most will have at least one ear infection before they turn 3 years old. One of the main reasons children get more middle ear infections than adults is because they have shorter eustachian tubes. 

Ear infections can cause the following symptoms:

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

13 home remedies for ear infections 

These are the most common ear infection remedies that can help relieve pain associated symptoms:  

1. Cold or warm compresses
2. Neck exercises
3. Mullein
4. Vitamin D
5. Garlic oil
6. Chiropractic care
7. Hydrogen peroxide
8. Ginger
9. Naturopathic ear drops 
10. Changing sleeping positions 
11. Apple cider vinegar
12. Acupuncture
13. Facial gua sha

1. Cold or warm compresses

Both warm and cold compresses can relieve pain from an ear infection. Hold either a hot pad or cold washcloth against the ear for 10 to 15 minutes or alternate between hot and cold for an easy ear infection remedy, especially for children.   

2. Neck exercises

Neck exercises that rotate the neck can help relieve pressure in the ear canal that’s caused by ear infections. Here’s how to do neck-rotation exercises:

1. Sit or stand up straight.
2. Rotate your neck to the right, so it’s parallel with your right shoulder. Hold for five to 10 seconds.
3. Repeat this exercise on the left side.
4. Raise your shoulders high like you’re trying to reach your earlobes with them. Hold for five to 10 seconds.
5. Repeat these exercises throughout the day. 

3. Mullein

Oil made from the flowers of the mullein plant has shown to be an effective pain reliever for ear infections. Mullein is available at most health food stores as a stand-alone tincture or as an ingredient in herbal ear drops. 

4. Vitamin D 

Vitamin D (Vitamin D coupons | Vitamin D details) may seem unrelated to ear infections, but it’s known to boost the immune system. A healthier immune system is less likely to be susceptible to ear infections. A 2017 study published in Acta Paediatrica showed that the risk of ear infections might be reduced by increasing serum levels of vitamin D through food consumption, supplementation, and direct sunlight.

5. Garlic oil

With antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, garlic oil ear drops can be applied to the ear canal to help kill bacteria or viruses that might be causing an ear infection. You can also soak crushed garlic cloves in warm olive oil to make your own garlic oil ear drops. 

6. Chiropractic care

Chiropractic adjustments may help relieve tight muscles around the ear, which will allow trapped fluid to drain. One study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care may decrease ear infection symptoms in young children.  

7. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can help keep ears clean and prevent dirt or additional bacteria from entering the middle ear. It’s especially helpful for preventing swimmer’s ear. Swab a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide onto the ear canal, but be careful that too much doesn’t get into the ear itself.

8. Ginger

Well known for its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger in the form of juice or infused oil can be applied to the outer ear canal, but it should never be put directly into the ear.  

9. Naturopathic ear drops

Naturopathic ear drops contain a variety of different herbs or essential oils that can help treat ear infections. They may have garlic, ginger, tea tree oil, mullein, or other herbs in them. The best place to find natural ear drops would be at a health food store or supplement shop.  

10. Changing sleeping positions 

If you’re a side sleeper, try sleeping with your affected ear facing up instead of down into the pillow. Sleeping with your affected ear on a pillow could aggravate your ear even more. Suggesting this to children who may not think of it intuitively can help alleviate their pain at night.  

11. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may help treat ear infections because it contains acetic acid, which is antibacterial. Try this home remedy by mixing equal parts warm water and apple cider vinegar, and then applying a few drops to the affected ear with a dropper bottle. Alternatively, you could soak a cotton ball with the warm water-vinegar solution, put it on the outside of the ear, and let it sink in.  

12. Acupuncture

“Acupuncture is especially helpful for both earaches and ear infections,” says Sarah Emily Sajdak, DAOM, a licensed acupuncturist at Aquarius Acupuncture in New York. “Acupuncture allows for both the release of the muscles, which allows for the flow of blood and lymph to decrease inflammation, and it can also help decrease the infection using specific internal medicine points on the body to ‘clear heat,’ as it’s called, to clear the infection.” 

13. Facial gua sha

Sajdak also recommends facial gua sha, which is a massage technique using a jade stone or rose quartz to relax muscles and improve circulation. “It can be used to release the jaw and neck muscles,” says Sajdak. “Often, tight muscles of the neck and jaw clenching stagnate the blood and lymph, thus hindering healing.”

Ear infection medicine

If natural remedies for an ear infection don’t work, over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications may be needed. Here are some of the most popular ear infection medications.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs can help relieve pain and fevers that are caused by ear infections. These are three of the most common NSAIDs:  

• Ibuprofen
• Aspirin
• Naproxen

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Antibiotics

Antibiotics can help clear the infection if it’s caused by bacteria. If you or your child are prescribed antibiotics for an ear infection, you must take the entire dose of antibiotics. Not finishing the prescribed antibiotics can leave some bacteria alive and lead to antibiotic resistance. These are some of the most popular antibiotics for ear infections:  

• Amoxicillin
• Clarithromycin
• Zithromax  

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Decongestants

Decongestants work by reducing swelling in the mucus membranes, which help open up the passages leading to the middle ear and relieve symptoms. Here are some examples of decongestants for ear infections:

• Afrin nasal spray
• Sudafed

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When to see a doctor for an earache

Sometimes no amount of self-care or over-the-counter medication can help an ear infection. Knowing when to see a doctor can help further complications from developing. 

If your earache is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever or hearing loss, you should see a doctor. You might be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor.

In some cases, people with a chronic ear infection may need to have surgery. Doctors can put small tubes into the eardrum that will help prevent ear infections. The tubes allow air to flow into the middle ear and fluid to drain.  

Leaving an ear infection untreated can cause the infection to spread or cause permanent problems with balance and hearing loss.

90,000 why it hurts, how to treat it, what to do at home

Injury or injury. Inserting something into your ear, such as cotton swabs or sharp objects, can damage your ear canal. This can cause soreness that usually goes away on its own. However, the site of injury may become inflamed. Therefore, if the pain persists or you start to have discharge, see your doctor.

To avoid damaging your ear, do not insert anything into your ear, even if it itches or thinks there is wax in it.

The eardrum can be torn (perforated) with objects inserted into the ear. It can also happen due to other injuries, such as a very loud sound or a blow to the ear.

Other more serious head injuries can also damage the eardrum. A perforated eardrum usually causes very sudden and severe pain. There may be bleeding from the ear canal cavity, or hearing suddenly disappears.

A perforated eardrum usually heals very well on its own.However, if pain or other symptoms persist, you should see your doctor.

Flying and diving. Pressure changes as the plane begins to descend usually cause ear pain. This usually goes away quickly.

Similar problems can occur when scuba diving or even taking an elevator.

If your pain persists a few days after flying or diving, you should see a doctor.

Boils and acne. They can occur on the ear as well as on any other part of the body. If they are outside the ear, you will be able to see them. If it’s in the ear canal, you won’t be able to see where the pain is coming from.

A small spot or abscess usually goes away on its own after washing the ears. However, if the abscess is very large, red, or painful, you may need to consult your doctor. You may need antibiotic medicine or needle puncture.

9 home remedies for ear pain

Mild ear pain is considered a nuisance by many, but it can get worse and debilitating.The symptom can become unbearable, making it difficult to sleep and eat. If you have severe ear pain, you should see a doctor, especially if it is the first time. While waiting for medical attention, some home remedies can be tried to reduce the severity of the symptom, experts say.

An ear infection is the most common cause of ear pain. During the infection process, inflammation and increased pressure inside the ear causes an increase in pain. With ear infections, additional symptoms appear – increased pressure in the sinusoidal sinuses or a sore throat (the infection spreads to nearby organs).Most ear infections are bacterial in origin and can only be diagnosed by a doctor.

In addition to infection, ear pain can be caused by a chronic condition (such as a pathology of the mandibular joint), skin infections, allergic reactions to earrings, soap or shampoo, water ingress, or changes in pressure inside the ear. Ear pain can be synalgia – reflected (reflex) pain caused by a disturbance in other parts of the body, scientists say.

Some remedies help to reduce the severity of ear pain at home, below are the 9 most famous of them.

Heat. An electric heating pad or hot compress may help reduce ear inflammation and pain. Compresses should be applied for 20 minutes, and for best results, spread the heat to the cheek and throat. Compresses should not be unbearably hot. Scientists do not recommend falling asleep with hot compresses.

Cold. The frozen ice is wrapped in a paper towel or light cloth and applied to the ear and surrounding area for 20 minutes. Scientists warn parents not to apply ice directly to children’s skin. It is widely believed that heat is more useful than cold for pain in the ear, but in some cases the best effect is the alternating application of cold and hot compresses (20 minutes each).

Ear drops. Over-the-counter ear drops may relieve pressure in the ear caused by fluid or wax plugging.Scientists recommend using them for no longer than a few days, and if the symptom persists, consult a doctor.

OTC anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain and discomfort.

Massage. Gentle massage is useful if the earache extends to the teeth or is caused by a headache associated with increased pressure. The muscles surrounding the ear, as well as the jaw or neck muscles (depending on the location of the pain) should be massaged.The massage is also helpful for pain caused by an ear infection or fluid in the ear, experts said.

Garlic. Eating a chive a day helps prevent ear infections, scientists say. Garlic ear drops can reduce pain and keep the infection from getting worse. However, garlic cannot replace antibiotics, experts said.

Bow. Scientists recommend warming up the head of the onion in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, squeezing the liquid out of it and dripping a few drops into the ear in case of pain.After such a procedure, you should lie down for 10 minutes so that the drops fall into the ear as deeply as possible.

Lollipops. Sucking helps relieve pressure in the eustachian tubes, the researchers say. Breastfeeding babies with ear pain should be fed as often as possible, and adults should try hard candy or candy.

Breast milk. Several studies have shown that breast milk has antimicrobial properties and is beneficial for both children and adults.Scientists advise instilling a few drops of breast milk in each ear and, if necessary, repeat the procedure every few hours if pain is present.

Only a qualified doctor can identify the cause of ear pain and prescribe rational treatment.

Based on materials from www.medicalnewstoday.com

90,000 What to do if your ear hurts

We recommend that at the initial manifestations of pain in the ears, contact an ENT specialist.This is because ear pain in an adult can be due to a variety of causes. And only a specialist can identify the true cause. A late visit to a doctor can lead to irreparable complications. Nevertheless, it is worth considering in more detail the main causes of ear pain, as well as the simplest preventive and therapeutic measures when this symptom appears.

Main causes of ear pain in adults

Ear pain can occur for a variety of reasons.Only a doctor can figure it out. The most common diseases associated with pain are eustachitis and otitis media. An insect trapped in the ear canal can also cause pain.

Eustachite

Inflammation of the Eustachian tube (Eustachitis) is inflammation of the lining of the Eustachian tubes (on one or both sides). The disease is accompanied by edema, impaired patency between the middle ear and the pharynx. As a result, air communication between the air cavities is impeded.The described processes, accompanied by an increase in the inflammatory reaction, lead to the appearance of pain.

Most often, Eustachitis is the result of an infection that develops in the nasopharynx and enters the Eustachian tube. The disease in question is often a complication of angina, inflammation of the palatine tonsils, sinusitis. Among the infectious agents there can be various pathogens – bacteria or viral particles.

Symptoms of Eustachitis:

• sharp pain in the ear;

• a feeling of stuffiness in the ear;

• hearing impairment;

• the effect of hearing one’s own voice from the side.

Eustachitis is an insidious disease that threatens with hearing loss. Especially in the case of a two-way process.

Otitis

Otitis media is an inflammatory disease that is localized in the inner or outer part of the organ of hearing. The disease can develop due to a decrease in the body’s defenses, sometimes after suffering inflammation. The disease is accompanied by edema of the ear canals. The process of free air circulation is disrupted, and the first symptoms appear.

The main symptoms of otitis media:

• sharp pain in the ear;

• persistent runny nose;

• increased body temperature;

• discharge of purulent contents from the ear is possible.

The immediate cause of otitis media are pathogens, among which streptococci and staphylococci are more often detected.Otitis media is a dangerous disease. In the absence of proper treatment, serious complications are possible: meningitis, hearing loss.

Insect in the ear

The insect can enter the ear at any time of the year. But more often it happens in spring or autumn. A trip to nature or a walk around the city can be overshadowed by a small bug or midge. Severe pain may occur if an insect enters the ear canal. Another symptom is possible – noise in the ear. This is due to the constant movements of the insect in the ear canal.

In addition to pain and noise in the ear, other symptoms may appear, including:

• feeling of congestion;

• inability to hear the interlocutor;

• headache;

• dizziness;

• deterioration in general health.

It is worth noting that many insects, if they get into the ear, begin to secrete special substances that perform a protective function for small living creatures. These substances can damage human health. In particular, irritation of the inner membrane of the external auditory canal or the tympanic membrane is possible, which can lead to the development of an inflammatory process.

If an insect enters the ear, it is necessary to get rid of it as soon as possible.There are many popular ways to do this. But it’s best to see a doctor.

Other reasons

Ear pain in an adult can also be caused by other causes, including:

1. Vagus nerve irritation. With some diseases of internal organs, for example, with diseases of the stomach, pain may appear far from the pathological focus. For example, in the teeth or in the ear.

2. Caries complicated by pulpitis.Inflammation of the soft tissue of the tooth leads to severe pain, which often spreads to the ear.

3. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This disease, like, for example, the pathology of the mandibular joint, can provoke severe pain in the ear.

4. Lymphadenitis. This disease is an inflammation of the lymph nodes. In the case of localization of the inflammatory process in the parotid nodes, a pain symptom may appear.

5. Perichondritis. It is a complication of inflammatory diseases of an infectious nature. Its essence lies in the inflammation of the auricle. Namely, its cartilaginous part. In addition to the swelling and redness, severe pain occurs.

6. In addition to the above, ear pain can occur when a large amount of earwax accumulates in the external ear canal, when an ear stick is used carelessly, or when listening to music on headphones at very high volume.

How to treat an earache in an adult

This article discusses general issues related to ear pain. All instructions are for informational purposes only. Any medicines and procedures should be used only after consultation with a specialist. Otherwise, you can cause irreparable harm to your own health.

When to see a doctor

When ear pain appears, many people try to get rid of the unpleasant symptom with the help of traditional medicine.Various drops, ointments or self-prepared preparations are used. Such measures are considered relatively safe, but they are not. Any agent introduced into the body has its own contraindications. An unprofessional choice of medicine can result not only in the persistence of pain in the ear, but also in the occurrence of dangerous complications.

Self-medication for ear pain is a big mistake. Of course, if the initial symptoms occur, you can try to use sparing folk remedies.But with the progression of pain, you should immediately consult a doctor.

An urgent visit to the doctor is necessary for:

• concomitant diseases of the ENT organs;

• ear pain in combination with headache;

• swelling of the auricle;

• recent inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory tract;

• elevated body temperature;

• prolonged ear pain.

It should be noted that only a specialist with medical education is able to correctly diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment. In this case, it will be possible to avoid severe complications of the disease, a symptom of which is ear pain.

Prevention

An adult can easily avoid an unpleasant symptom like ear pain. To do this, it is enough to follow simple preventive recommendations.First, you need to pay attention to the hygiene of the external auditory canals. To do this, you should use an ear stick. In this case, in no case should it be inserted into the ear to a depth of more than 5 mm. This can lead to negative consequences.

Hardening activities are important – walks in the fresh air, feasible physical activity. They help to strengthen the immune system and, as a result, reduce the risk of inflammatory processes in the hearing organs.

Correct treatment of a common cold will relieve many problems, including ear pain.Timely access to a doctor and the fulfillment of appointments will eliminate the spread of the infectious process to the hearing organs. In addition, it is necessary to blow your nose correctly: alternately from each nostril, closing the second nostril. This technique will not allow the purulent contents of the nasopharynx to penetrate into the Eustachian tube.

Compliance with the principles of good nutrition largely helps to strengthen the immune system and prevent infectious diseases, including the organs of hearing.Therefore, people who eat well are less likely to experience the problem of ear pain.

Using earplugs while bathing, showering, or swimming will help prevent water from entering your ear canals. As a result, the inflammatory process, accompanied by pain, is excluded.

If the sphere of a person’s professional activity is associated with being in an area of ​​increased noise, it is worth using earplugs.Music lovers can be advised not to turn on the headphones at maximum volume.

Ear pain can be a symptom of a dangerous medical condition. Therefore, when this symptom appears, you should immediately consult an otolaryngologist. Only a specialist will be able to correctly assess the patient’s condition, conduct a thorough diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. Attempts to get rid of ear pain on your own can only aggravate the situation.

90,000 What to do if your ear hurts? Nimesil or ENT doctor?

Agree that when your ear hurts, you can no longer think about anything but this pain.
And it is not always possible to make pain less with the help of popular drugs.

Most often, we do not go to the doctor right away, but start treatment on our own: we drip drops, drink pain-relieving pills, or, even worse, take antibiotics uncontrollably.

But ear pain can be a manifestation (symptom) of various diseases, which are treated in different ways. Therefore, with self-medication, it often turns out that the cause of the disease is one, and we treat our beloved ears from a completely different one.And, alas, at the end we do not get recovery, but the development of the disease, and, very often – concomitant complications due to the development of the disease. And since the ears are in close proximity to the brain, complications can be very formidable.

So, if you start having pains inside the ear, it is better to contact an ENT doctor (otolaryngologist) without delay.
He will determine the cause of the pain, if necessary, he will conduct himself or prescribe additional examinations (endoscopic examination, computed tomography, etc.).and will select the optimal treatment for you.

What are the causes of ear pain?

1. Inflammatory process

Pain inside the ear is most often a sign of an inflammatory process, most often otitis media. Inflammation can be localized in the area of ​​the auricle, external auditory canal, middle ear (tympanic cavity, mastoid, Eustachian tube).

Symptoms of otitis externa: at the beginning of the disease, the pain in the ear is not severe, itching and congestion of the ear are possible.As the progression progresses, the pain intensifies, becomes unbearable, when pulling the fingers outward, the auricle and ear are sharply painful. Further, the process involves the soft tissues of the parotid region, which also become sharply painful when pressed and palpated.

The cause of inflammation of the external auditory canal is most often a swollen and infected sulfur plug and fungi (with otomycosis), trauma (for example, when trying to remove sulfur on your own with a cotton swab, a match, etc.).n), foreign bodies (cotton wool, insects, etc.)

What to do with otitis externa is categorically impossible: – to warm your ears, visit a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool; instill alcohol drops into the ear.

It is recommended – in case of severe pain, take an anesthetic and consult an ENT doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms of otitis media (otitis media) – acute otitis media, as a rule, occurs due to an acute respiratory infection, against the background of a runny nose, nasal congestion.

How to determine this? The pain increases with pressure on the tragus (a protrusion in the auricle near the opening of the external auditory canal). In addition, with acute otitis media, the temperature rises, shoots appear in the ear, and pus may discharge from the ear.
These symptoms often accompany an advanced or untreated infectious disease.

What to do? Any pain in the ear requires consultation with an otorhinolaryngologist. Therefore, if there is pain in the ear, you can take an anesthetic (paracetamol, analgin, nurofen, nimesil, teraflu, etc.) to relieve the condition.in case of nasal congestion, we recommend that you instill vasoconstrictor drops (naphthyzin, otrivin, nasivin, etc.) into the nose. And be sure to contact your ENT doctor as soon as possible.

What cannot be done? Do not take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. In addition, if the body temperature is elevated, or periodically rises, the pain in the ear is pulsating, there is purulent discharge from the ear, then it is absolutely impossible to warm the sore ear!
Do not drip drops into your ears without a doctor’s prescription. Wax candles are strictly prohibited for any otitis media.

Preventive measures. Often, otitis media manifests itself after a running cold, flu or sore throat, a runny nose. The disease can recur (renew) against the background of an enlarged adenoid or chronic rhinitis, sinusitis. Therefore, such diseases need to be treated, guided by the recommendations of your ENT doctor, and, most importantly, the treatment should be completed.

2. Caries

Oddly enough, the cause of ear pain can be in dental caries. With advanced caries, a throbbing or aching pain in the ear causes an inflammatory process of the tissues near the diseased tooth, since pain is transmitted along the nerve to the ear.

How to determine this? Earache, throbbing or aching, often combined with toothache. It intensifies when you press on a sore tooth, when chewing, or when you eat cold and hot food. It hurts more at night than during the day.

What to do? Of course, it is faster to visit the dentist. Pain can be reduced by taking a pain reliever before seeing a doctor.
You can rinse with baking soda – take a glass of warm boiled water and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 drops of iodine.

What cannot be done? Do not apply a warm compress on the side of a diseased tooth.
Do not pick any objects in the tooth or touch an inflamed tooth or gum with your hands. This can lead to the spread of infection.

Preventive measures. Avoid dental problems, any hole in the tooth can lead to infection and inflammation.

3. Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (inflammation of the nerve) can also cause ear pain.

How to determine this? The pain can be shooting and short-term, or it can be mildly constant and felt not only in the ear, but also in the parotid region, the parietal-temporal region.At the same time, the patient notes that it is unpleasant for him to touch the scalp and hair from this side, hyperesthesia appears – increased sensitivity.

What to do? With such symptoms, you should immediately contact a neuropathologist. But you will most likely need an ENT doctor’s consultation to rule out ear diseases. Indeed, in the case of pathology of ENT organs, only he will be able to prescribe the necessary, specific treatment for your case.

What cannot be done? You can not use spicy foods, coffee and strong tea.They can increase the painful sensations.

Preventive measures. Do not overcool the body. Prolonged hypothermia can cause neuralgia, especially when combined with physical activity. Old spinal injuries can also be possible causes.

4. Furuncle

If there is severe pain inside the ear and there is discharge of pus, then a possible cause is a furuncle. This is a localized inflammation of the hair follicle.

How to determine this? The pain is constant, intense, increases with pressure on the ear tragus.

What to do? It is necessary to make an appointment with an ENT doctor, preferably an operating one, because for a high-quality opening of an abscess (and such is an inflamed boil), surgical intervention and the appointment of effective antibiotic therapy are necessary.

What cannot be done? You can not open the boil on your own so as not to bring the infection into the body. Also, remember that uncontrolled self-medication with antibiotics is not only ineffective, but can harm you in the future.

Preventive measures.Keep your ears clean. A boil appears due to the lack of simple hygiene procedures – for those who do not clean their ears or clean with dangerous sharp objects.

5. Unfortunately, there are many other causes of pain in the ears – infection, injury, sulfur plug, etc.

It is impossible to list everything within the framework of our short article. Therefore, the next question is as old as the world.

How to treat a sore ear after all?

You can get a lot of different recommendations from friends, relatives, acquaintances.Connoisseurs of traditional medicine advise to bury an infusion of chamomile, lemon balm or propolis in the ear, apply a beetroot compress with the addition of honey, etc. Experienced parents who have gone through several otitis media with their children will advise you on a specific antibiotic. The pharmacist in the pharmacy will immediately give out several packages of “definitely helping” and not cheap medicines.

But the cause of pain, as you know, can be very different: infectious, traumatic, indirectly associated with the surrounding nerves, etc.And the methods of treatment that will help you with acute otitis media can be harmful for otitis externa.

Therefore, before doing the treatment yourself, we recommend that you see the ENT doctor of the Lor Plus clinic to provide qualified and effective assistance.

What should be done to avoid ear pain? Prevention.

• A healthy lifestyle is the first and most important condition for the prevention of any diseases, including ear diseases.
• Specific preventive measures depend on the location of the inflammation: auricle, external auditory canal, middle ear cavity or inner ear.Diseases of these parts of the ear are different in nature and further development. Accordingly, prevention measures will be different.

For example, when there is too much wax in the ear canal, some people develop sulfur plugs. In this case, the main recommendation is not to clean your ears with cotton swabs and regularly, at least once a year, to conduct examinations with an ENT doctor.

Remember that the health of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx is extremely important for the prevention of diseases of the middle ear, since the normal functioning of the ear is closely related to normal nasal breathing and the condition of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

Lor Plus Medical Center conducts preventive examinations, as well as diagnostics and treatment of ear diseases in adults and children. Thanks to our highly qualified specialists and modern methods of prevention, you can prevent otitis media in a child, or cure serious ear diseases without consequences.

Conclusion:

Various diseases can cause pain in the ear. Only an ENT doctor can accurately determine this after the examination, and often also after the appointment of additional examinations.Therefore, we categorically do not recommend that you independently treat your ears – a very important part of our body.

Questions and answers on the topic “Treatment of ear diseases”

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How to treat an inflamed ear: advice from the medical center

Severe shooting or aching aching pain in the ear area indicates the onset of inflammation. The disease is dangerous, it is better not to deal with its treatment at home, so as not to aggravate the situation.At the first symptoms, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will conduct an examination, explain how to treat an inflamed ear and prescribe a medication regimen.

Causes of pain in the ear

Painful sensations can be caused by a number of external causes or signal the onset of an inflammatory process. If the phenomenon is short-lived, quickly passes and does not bother you anymore, then you don’t need to worry. The reasons are:

• long diving;
• A sharp loud sound near the auricle;
• being in a draft;
• impact when falling;
• long-term use of headphones;
• Excess or deficiency of earwax.

With the development of otitis media, the pain itself will not go away. It can change, becoming sharp, pressing, or throbbing. The condition requires contacting the medical center https://voronezh.sovamed.ru/ to an otolaryngologist and systematic treatment. The consequence of a frivolous attitude to health is a decrease in hearing acuity or its complete loss, meningitis.

Otitis media develops progressively, from weak painful impulses to intolerable attacks, when even painkillers do not help.

Reasons:

• hypothermia with weakened immunity;
• mechanical damage to the inner part of the auricle;
• complication of a cold disease.

Types of otitis media

The inflammatory process can develop in different parts of the ear. Its type is determined by localization.

Outdoor

The most common causes are repeated ingress of water or mechanical injuries during diving. The disease has the unspoken name “swimmer’s ear”.Symptoms are throbbing pain, a feeling of congestion, an increase in temperature up to 38 degrees. If untreated, it quickly turns into a purulent form.

Medium

It develops in the air cavity behind the tympanic membrane. The main reason is getting an infection, often the disease occurs as a complication after influenza, sinusitis, sinusitis, ARVI. The disease is warned by tinnitus, slight discomfort against the background of hearing loss. If left untreated, the catarrhal form quickly develops into a purulent form with an increase in temperature, pain in half of the head, including the parietal part, jaw and teeth.To fight the infection, it is necessary to make a puncture of the eardrum in stationary conditions to remove pus if it does not come out on its own.

Internal otitis media

Is the most complex form, develops in a short time, affects the vestibular apparatus, leads to hearing loss and loss. Such patients have to be hospitalized.

There are acute and chronic otitis media. In the second form, you will have to take precautions, not to overcool and be sensitive to the first signs of inflammation in the ear.

What medicines to treat ears

Otitis media does not allow self-medication. The disease is complex, with numerous complications, and requires examination and supervision by a specialist in the course of treatment.

In most cases, drops of various compositions are prescribed. This can only be done by a doctor, since there are many nuances when choosing a medicine. So with an intact tympanic membrane, one is prescribed, with its breakthrough or puncture, another, there are restrictions on age and concomitant diseases.

Depending on the cause and stage of inflammation, an antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory or combination drug is prescribed. In case of complications, it is necessary to combine it with general antibiotics and support the body with immunomodulators.

The advantages of the drops are local action, rapid onset of relief, a short list of contraindications and restrictions for use. They are economical, affordable, and have several analogues of the prescribed drug.

The most popular drops

Preference is given to combined preparations containing local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory components. These include:

• Otipax;
• Otinum;
• Droplex;
• Sofradex;
• Polydex;
• Anauran;
• Candibiotic;
• Sanguirithrin.

When pathogenic bacteria become the cause of inflammation, drugs from the antibacterial list are prescribed, such as Rifonat, Ofloxacin, Tsipromed, Dancil.

It is very important to accurately determine the cause of the disease, otherwise the treatment will be ineffective.

Treatment for children

For babies, ear pain is especially excruciating, and there are many more reasons for its occurrence, including small foreign objects entering the ears. A visit to a doctor cannot be postponed, as well as using drugs uncontrollably in an attempt to independently cure otitis media. Among the recommended means are Tsipromed, Otofa, Otipaks, Sofradeks, Okomistin.

Folk remedies

Ear pain at the initial stage during the day is almost not felt, watching in the evening and at night.To wait for the opening of the polyclinic without urgent hospitalization, it is worth remembering the available means that can calm down painful sensations for a while.

Compress

It is impossible to warm the ear strongly and for a long time, but 15 minutes is enough to relieve pain. A cotton napkin is impregnated with medical alcohol or vodka, applied around the ear, covered with a plastic bag and insulated with cotton wool, fixed with a scarf. For the auricle, a hole is cut in each layer. The method is an emergency one, it is often not applied.

Tampons

Turundas impregnated with boric alcohol, tincture of calendula or celandine are effective for relieving pain. A wet swab is placed in the ear until the discomfort is relieved. Babies will quickly be helped by a mashed geranium leaf, rolled into a cone and inserted into the ear canal. The remedy is not curative, it helps to wait for the doctor’s appointment.

Otitis media is diagnosed by external examination, audiometry, tomography. In order to prevent the development of the disease as a complication, it is necessary to use vasoconstrictor nasal drops, maintain fluid balance in the body, and avoid repeated hypothermia.And most importantly, at the first symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.

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We treat acute otitis media – Neoton Deafness Center in Moscow

Acute otitis media, or otitis media, is a very common problem, especially in children. Of course, a doctor should treat this condition. Unfortunately, there are situations when it is impossible to get to the doctor quickly. What to do in this case?

Acute otitis media, or otitis media, is a very common problem, especially in children.Usually it occurs against the background of a cold, combined with a runny nose, fever. Suddenly there is a sharp pain in the ear, hearing decreases, sometimes the patient notes that the sounds “are given, as in a barrel.” Of course, a doctor should treat this condition. Unfortunately, there are situations when it is impossible to get to the doctor quickly. What to do in this case?

First and foremost in the treatment of acute otitis media, no matter how paradoxical it sounds, vasoconstrictor nasal drops. These are drugs such as naphthyzin, sanorin, galazolin.Yes, they are not very well known – they say, they are addictive, but in case of middle ear inflammation, these drops are simply vital. The fact is that the middle ear cavity is connected to the nasopharynx using the so-called Eustachian tube. With a runny nose, and, therefore, swelling of the mucous membrane, the Eustachian tube loses patency. And the exudate (liquid) arising in the inflamed middle ear cannot be evacuated into the nasopharynx in a natural way. It begins to accumulate, press on the eardrum – pain arises.With severe inflammation, even a rupture of the tympanic membrane is possible. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to restore the patency of the nasal passages and the Eustachian tube. Pay attention – you need to drip into the nose, tilting your head to the side, towards the sore ear. You need to bury it in the nose 4-5 times a day.

The second – actually, drops in the ear 3-4 times a day. It can be an alcoholic solution of boric acid, calendula, or, at worst, ordinary vodka. The drops must be warmed up.Do not heat the entire bottle at once – just take the required number of drops into the pipette, turn it over with the rubber band and dip the rubber band in hot water for a minute. When instilling the medicine in the child’s ear, the auricle needs to be pulled back and down a little, for an adult – back and up. This is necessary in order to straighten the ear canal and the medicine can freely penetrate to the eardrum.
Ear drops “Otipax”, “Otinum”, “Anauran” can also reduce pain.

Attention! In no case should alcohol solutions or the above medications (except for anauran) be instilled into the ear if discharge has begun from the ear.Most likely (and only a doctor can accurately determine) this means that the eardrum is already perforated, and the ingress of an alcohol solution into the middle ear cavity can cause increased pain. If there is discharge from the ear, it is better to use dioxidine 1% solution. Heated as described above 5-6 times a day. Before instilling dioxidine, you need to clean the external auditory canal from exudate using a flagellum twisted from cotton wool or gauze (by no means a cotton swab!) Moistened with a heated solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide.Medications such as Panadol, Nurofen, and Ibuprofen will also help reduce ear pain and fever. Antibiotics, if needed, will be prescribed by your doctor when you get to him.

There are often tips to apply a hot compress to the sore ear, warm it up with hot salt, and so on. This should not be done under any circumstances! External heat creates a favorable environment for microorganisms, which only increases inflammation, and increased blood flow promotes the spread of infection. The most that can be done is a semi-alcoholic warming compress.A rectangular piece of cloth is cut lengthwise, moistened with vodka or halved alcohol, squeezed well and applied around the ear. The auricle goes through the incision and is not covered with tissue. On top, in the same way, impose an oilcloth or polyethylene or compress paper. Above – a layer of cotton wool (you do not need to cut it). Each subsequent layer should be 2 cm larger than the previous one in each direction. All this is bandaged to the head – tightly, but so as not to disrupt normal blood circulation – and leave for 6-8 hours.It is imperative to monitor the condition of the pain – if he notes that the pain in the ear has intensified, the compress must be removed immediately. After removing the compress, the skin is wiped dry and covered with a warm soft cloth.

For children under one year old, warming compresses are placed very carefully and do not leave for more than 1-1.5 hours. In no case should you put a warming compress against a background of elevated temperature.

Ear pain: which ear drops to recommend?

Problems with hearing organs are observed in swimmers, those who like to walk without a headdress in windy weather, and in aircraft passengers.They arise with a genetic predisposition, as a result of ear infections, birth trauma, improper medication treatment, due to excessive exposure to noise and aging of the body … That is, almost all people without exception, regardless of gender and age, have such a symptom at least once in their life. like ear pain. For treatment, most often, doctors prescribe ear drops. However, the patient with such a complaint is not always immediately sent to the clinic. Quite often he comes to the pharmacy for first aid.What nuances is important for a pharmacist to know in order to advise such a visitor?

Most often, visitors to the pharmacy ask the first-timers to recommend a remedy for ear pain. Independently, without a doctor’s prescription, a pharmacist can offer as first aid only symptomatic treatment aimed at eliminating pain. As a rule, these are ear drops, which include analgesic and anti-inflammatory components – anesthetics and NSAIDs.

Rational pharmacotherapy for various diagnoses

Otitis media – acute or chronic inflammation in various parts of the ear (outer, middle, inner).The cause of the disease can be viral and bacterial infections, as well as fungal microflora. Extreme sports, such as diving, can also provoke the development of the inflammatory process.

Symptoms . Ear pain, which increases with pressure on the tragus (cartilaginous protrusion on the anterior surface of the auricle of a small size) is the leading symptom of the disease. Sometimes there is local redness of the skin and tissue edema. The condition may also be accompanied by a feeling of ear congestion, complete or partial hearing loss, and purulent discharge from the ears.Sometimes itching occurs, body temperature rises, posterior cervical, submandibular and subclavian lymph nodes increase. The general condition is disturbed, appetite worsens, problems with sleep occur.

Treatment. For uncomplicated otitis media, therapy includes the appointment of ear drops with anti-inflammatory, decongestant and analgesic effects. These can be drugs with choline salicylate, phenazone, phenylephrine, benzocaine or lidocaine.In case of a pronounced inflammatory process and in the case of the development of purulent otitis media, antibacterial ear drops are used, but only a doctor should prescribe them.What should a pharmacist remember? At the stage of catarrhal otitis media (the onset of the disease), antibiotic ear drops are not prescribed. In case of rupture or damage to the membrane, it is permissible to use ear drops with rifampicin and ciprofloxacin, since they are devoid of ototoxicity. The first is used without age restrictions, and the second is used only for children over one year old. Norfloxacin ear drops are intended for the treatment of adolescents over 15 years of age and adults. Combined drugs with other antibiotics (neomycin, framycetin) and corticosteroids are contraindicated in otitis media with violation of the integrity of the tympanic membrane.With bacterial and fungal otitis media of the middle ear, drops with decamethoxin are prescribed, as well as ear drops with clotrimazole.

How to help a patient with tubo-otitis?

Tubo-otitis (eustachitis) – acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the auditory tube (the auditory tube is also called Eustachian, in honor of the doctor who discovered and described its structure, hence the second name). It connects the pharynx to the ear and is indirectly involved in sound transmission.

Symptoms: hearing impairment, noise and a feeling of stuffiness in one or both ears, autophony (when the patient hears his own resonating voice in the ears).Sometimes the disease is accompanied by minor pain. Eustachitis often develops with various acute respiratory viral infections and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Treatment. Medicines with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are prescribed. Sulfanilamide preparations are also used. The course of treatment is 4-6 days. Doctors sometimes prescribe for these purposes “eye” drops of sulfacil, which stop the growth and development of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, therefore they are often successfully used in complex therapy for the treatment of ENT organs.However, this drug can be prescribed in the event that the patient has not compromised the integrity of the tympanic membrane and there is no purulent discharge from the ear canal. The drug should not be used if hypersensitivity to sulfonamides is detected.

Fungal infection of the ear requires specific treatment

Otomycosis – fungal otitis media caused by the molds Aspergillus (65%), Penicillium (10%) and the yeast-like Candida fungi (24%).Otomycosis literally captures the space of the inner or outer ear, affecting different parts of it.

Symptoms. The disease begins with ear congestion, then itching, swelling of the ear canal appears. In the acute stage, the main symptom is a specific discharge containing particles of the epidermis and the mycelium of pathogenic fungi. The condition is accompanied by pain and hearing loss.

Treatment. Otomycosis is caused by different types of fungi, each of them has its own specific treatment.Universal antifungal agents can be treated for years and to no avail.

For external fungal otitis media, local antifungal drugs are most often used: multifungin, canesten, exoderil. The choice of medication depends on the causative agent of the infection. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the hearing aid, drops are either buried according to the instructions, or injected on cotton wool pads.

If local treatment does not help, therapy with systemic drugs is necessary.In addition, there is a complete ban on cleaning your ears with ear sticks. When bathing, you must use silicone earplugs – otomycosis loves moisture, so the ears must be dry.

From ear congestion to barotrauma – one step

Pressure drops. We all know the feeling of ear congestion during air travel or when taking a high-speed elevator. This symptom is considered absolutely physiological, since it occurs due to pressure drops, to which the auditory tube does not have time to adequately respond.For some people, this temporary symptom causes intense pain. Less often, and with significant differences in height, perforation of the tympanic membrane (barotrauma) may occur.

Treatment. To prevent pain, after a mandatory consultation with an otolaryngologist, it is recommended to use special ear drops with an analgesic effect, as a rule, they contain lidocaine (Otipax, Anauran, Ototon). Instill 2-3 drops of the drug in each ear canal, and then cover the ear canals with cotton swabs for a few minutes.

To avoid barotrauma, from which no one is insured, at the slightest suspicion of a runny nose or nasal congestion, nasal vasoconstrictor drops or aerosols should be used before an air flight – in a short course 2-3 hours before the flight.

Sulfur plugs: only a gentle approach!

Sulfur plugs. Mechanical removal of sulfur plugs is carried out only in the ENT office. However, such washing and suctioning have a number of contraindications (otitis media, diabetes mellitus, etc.)), and sometimes are accompanied by complications (fainting, nausea, rupture of the membrane). Therefore, special ear drops are in high demand, which are designed to easily and safely remove sulfur plugs at home.

Such hygienic products as “Remo-Wax” and “A-Cerumen” are considered one of the most effective means for caring for the organs of hearing. They penetrate into the thickness of the sulfur plug, loosen the accumulations and remove them from the ear canal. These drugs have a high safety profile and can be used to remove sulfur plugs in both adults and children.

What the Primate should warn about :

• To avoid unpleasant sensations, it is recommended to pre-warm the bottle with ear drops in your hands before use.
• Anesthetic ear drops are used only in the case of an intact tympanic.
• Nasal decongestants help to reduce edema of the auditory tube, help to restore the patency of the nasal passages and the Eustachian tube. You need to bury your nose, tilting your head to the side, towards the sore ear.