An ear infection (acute otitis media) is most
often a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear, the
air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of
the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections.
Ear infections frequently are painful because
of inflammation and buildup of fluids in the middle ear.
Because ear infections often clear up on
their own, treatment may begin with managing pain and monitoring the problem.
Ear infection in infants and severe cases in general often require antibiotic
medications. Long-term problems related to ear infections — persistent fluids
in the middle ear, persistent infections or frequent infections — can cause
hearing problems and other serious complications.
The onset of signs and symptoms of ear
infection is usually rapid.
Children
Signs and symptoms common in children
include:
- Ear pain, especially when lying down
- Tugging or pulling at an ear
- Difficulty sleeping
- Crying more than usual
- Acting more irritable than usual
- Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
- Loss of balance
- Fever of 100 F (38 C) or higher
- Drainage of fluid from the ear
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Adults
Common signs and symptoms in adults include:
- Ear pain
- Drainage of fluid from the ear
- Diminished hearing
How to cure and treat an ear infection? It is
human nature that whenever a person faces health problem, he/ she has one word
on mouth, i.e. “Doctor”. A person must always try to find out some natural
remedies for the cure of ear infection, before consulting a doctor. No doubt,
antibiotics are the common solution to get instant relief. But, sometimes,
these medications may lead to severe side effects. Therefore, here are some
home remedies for curing ear infection that are absolutely natural and
harmless.
Natural
Home Remedies to Treat Ear Infection
How to cure
and treat an ear infection? It is human nature that whenever a person faces
health problem, he/ she has one word on mouth, i.e. “Doctor”. A person must
always try to find out some natural remedies for the cure of ear infection,
before consulting a doctor. No doubt, antibiotics are the common solution to
get instant relief. But, sometimes, these medications may lead to severe side
effects. Therefore, here are some home remedies for curing ear infection that
are absolutely natural and harmless.
- Heating Pad/ Warm Water Bottle
To get quick
relief, first and foremost remedy one should opt is to press a heating pad or
warm water bottle against the ear. You can also dip a clean cloth in lukewarm
water and apply it on the infected ear. It is to be kept in mind that the
heating procedure should not exceed for a long period of time. Start with five
minutes, and repeat the process, if required.
- Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil
is known for its mild antibacterial and healing properties. With the use of tea
tree oil, one can get instant relief in ear pain. Prepare a mixture of one tsp
of apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp of olive oil, 3 drops of tea tree oil, and a tsp
of colloidal silver. Slightly warm this mixture. Put your head on a towel,
keeping the infected ear upright. With the help of dropper, put the mixture in
the ear, and leave it for five minutes. After sometime, turn your head and let
the mixture drain out completely. Follow this procedure thrice a day for
effective results.
- Garlic
Garlic is
considered to have antimicrobial and pain relieving characteristics. Put some
drops of fresh garlic oil or juice in the infected ear. This will provide an
immediate relief. The process should be practised three times in a day.
Else, boil
2-3 garlic cloves in water for five minutes. Add some salt after crushing the
cloves. Wrap up the mixture in a clean cloth and put it on the infected ear.
Apart from
making these mixtures, one can eat 2-3 raw garlic cloves to facilitate the
healing process.
- Mango Leaf Juice
The extracts
of mango leaf are effective for the treatment of ear infection. Take two or
three mango leaves. Grind or crush them to extract juice. Slightly warm the
extracted juice. Put 2-3 drops of juice in the infected ear with the help of a
dropper. Leave it for a few minutes. After sometime, you will feel relief in
the earache. If the procedure is practiced for three times a day, then ear
infection will surely get healed.
- Onion
Onion is not
only used as the main ingredient for cooking, but also used for medicinal cure.
It is very beneficial for ear infection. Take a small onion and chop it. Put
the chopped onion in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. After microwaving, allow it
to cool and extract its juice. Put two-three drops of onion juice in the
infected ear and leave it for a few minutes. After sometime, turn your head and
drain out the juice from the ear.
You can also
bake the onion for 30 minutes. After baking, cut in into two pieces. Wrap one
piece of baked onion in a cotton cloth and place it on the infected ear for at
least five minutes. If required, repeat the process after ten minutes.
- Salt
Salt is
considered to be the best remedy, available at home. Microwave one cup of salt
for at least 5-6 minutes. After that, put the hot salt in a sock. Tie the open
end of the sock using a rubber band. Lie down and put the sock under the
infected ear for ten minutes. The heat from the sock will facilitate in
draining out the fluid from the ear. To get relief in swelling and pain, the
process should be repeated multiple times in a day.
- Basil
Basil leaves
are also one of the remedies used to get relief in ear infections and minor
earache. Take 4-5 holy basil leaves. Crush them to extract their juice. Apply
the extracted juice around the infected area. It should not be put into the ear
canal.
Apart from
this, mixture of basil juice and coconut oil can also be used for healing the
ear infection. Take a cotton ball and dip it into the mixture. Apply it gently
on the inner part, outer edge and behind the ear. This process should be
practised two times in a day.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider
vinegar is the best solution for removing fungus from the ear. Prepare a
solution of apple cider vinegar and water, taking both in equal quantity. You
can also use alcohol in place of water. Take a cotton ball and soak it in the
solution. Put the soaked cotton ball in the ear for almost five minutes. Now,
remove the cotton ball and lay down on the opposite side to flush out the
solution from the ear. To dry the ear, you can use a hair dryer.
White
vinegar can also be used in place of apple cider vinegar.
- Breast Milk
Breastfeeding
infants have very fewer infections than a normal child or adult. Breast milk is
considered as the best remedy for curing any type of ear infection. It is also
used for treating eye infections, minor cuts, wounds or burns. It has natural
antibodies, which lessen swelling and pain. With the help of dropper, put 2-3
drops of breast milk in the infected ear. If the process is repeated after
every two hours, ear infection will surely get cured.
- Olive Oil
As we all
know, ear infection is mainly caused due to the deposits of wax in the ear,
which results in germination of bacteria and fungus. This ultimately blocks the
ear. Olive oil is one of the best solutions to this problem. Warm some olive
oil. After warming, put some drops of warm oil into the infected ear. Olive oil
will help in softening the wax. The wax can be removed safely with the help of
a cotton bud. Don’t put the bud too far in the ear; otherwise, it may damage
your eardrum.
Mustard oil
can also be used to treat the ear infection.
- Mullein Drops
Mullein is a
wild flowering plant grown in several areas. To get relief in ear infection,
take a teaspoon of mullein flowers and put them into ½ cup of boiling water.
Allow it to cool. Now, mix one tbsp mullein tea and one tbsp olive oil in it.
Leave the mixture for overnight. Put one drop of the resulted mixture in the
infected ear. Instead of preparing mullein oil at home, you can also buy it
from the market.
REMEMBER
Signs and
symptoms of an ear infection can indicate a number of conditions. It's
important to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. Call your child's
doctor if:
- Symptoms last for more than a day
- Ear pain is severe
- Your infant or toddler is sleepless
or irritable after a cold or other upper respiratory infection
- You observe a discharge of fluid, pus
or bloody discharge from the ear
An adult
with ear pain or discharge should see a doctor as soon as possible.