Earache is more common in children than it is
in adults. The pain from earache can be constant or it may come and go. It can
feel like a burning sensation or a sharp, or dull, pain. It can affect both ears
at once or just one ear.
Causes of
earache
Just as the pain from earache affects people
in different ways, there are a variety of causes of earache. Some of them
affect the ear itself, others are from conditions affecting areas close to the
ears.
Common reasons for earache include:
Common reasons for earache include:
- Fluid building up deep inside the eardrum. Known as glue ear, this
affects children more than adults
- Infection of the ear canal outside the eardrum (otitis externa)
- A boil or infected hair follicle in the ear canal
- Eczema in the ear canal ( seborrhoeic dermatitis)
- Injury in the ear canal from objects poked inside, such as cotton
buds or sharp objects
- Blockages in the ear from plugs of earwax or objects pushed in which
have become stuck
- Throat infections (including tonsillitis) and colds
- Jaw pain, known as temperomandibular joint pain
- Dental abscess in the mouth or other tooth pain, such as wisdom
teeth problems
- Trigeminal neuralgia or facial nerve pain
Symptoms
of earache
As well as ear pain, earache from an ear
infection can be especially troublesome for children and babies. Symptoms
include:
- Babies may appear hot and irritable
- Children may pull, tug or rub an ear
- A high temperature - over 38C
- Poor feeding in babies; loss of appetite in children
- Sleep problems and restlessness at night
- Coughing and runny nose
- Not hearing as well as normal
- Balance problems
Remedies
for Earaches
1. Olive
Oil
Olive oil
can provide fast relief from an earache. It serves as a lubricant and helps get
rid of an infection in the ear. Olive oil can also be helpful in stopping
buzzing sensations inside the ears.
- Put 3-4 drops of lukewarm olive oil as
ear drops into the ear canal.
- Alternatively, you can dip a cotton
bud in the oil and put it firmly into the ear.
You can also
use mustard oil in the same way.
2. Garlic
The
analgesic and antibiotic properties of garlic can help reduce earache caused by
an ear infection.
- Heat one teaspoon of minced garlic in
two tablespoons of sesame oil. Cool and filter the oil. Put 2-3 drops of
this garlic oil in the aching ear.
- Another option is to extract the juice out of a few cloves of garlic and put it into the ear that hurts.
3. Onion
Onion is one
of the most readily available home remedies for an earache. The antiseptic and
antibacterial properties in onions work well in treating the problem.
- Extract one tablespoon of onion juice
from grated onions and heat it over low heat. Then put 2-3 drops of the
juice into affected ear 2-3 times a day.
- Crush a fresh onion and wrap it tightly in a piece of clean cloth. Hold the cloth over the infected ear for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat the process several times a day.
4. Hot
Water Bottle
Putting
moist heat around an infected ear can work as a great pain reliever. Simply
wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and press it against the aching ear for a
few minutes.
5. Ginger
Ginger has
strong anti-inflammatory properties that can be helpful in treating ear
infections. It is also an excellent natural painkiller.
- Extract juice from fresh ginger and
put it directly into the ears to get relief from pain and reduce
inflammation.
- You can also mix one teaspoon of fresh grated ginger root with two tablespoons of olive oil. Leave it to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes and then put a few drops of the oil in the aching ear.
6.
Peppermint
Both
peppermint leaves and peppermint oil can be used to soothe earaches.
- Put the juice from fresh peppermint
leaves in a dropper and then put some drops inside the aching ear.
- Using a cotton swab, apply a few drops of peppermint oil externally around the opening of your ear. Avoid getting any of this oil inside your ear. You can also dilute the peppermint oil using olive oil and then apply.
7. Basil
Due to its
anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties, basil is considered
good for relieving earaches.
- Crush a few basil leaves and extract
the juice.
- Put three or four drops of this juice
in the aching ear.
- Repeat once or twice a day.
8. Neem
Indian
lilac, also known as neem, has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties
that help fight infection. Plus, it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects
that help reduce earache.
- Crush a few neem leaves to extract the
juice. Put a few drops in the aching ear as ear drops.
- Soak a cotton ball in neem oil and squeeze out the excess oil. Put this cotton ball in your ear. Leave it for a few minutes and then discard it.
REMEMBER
Seek urgent medical advice if your child
develops a stiff neck, appears very tired, responds poorly or cannot be
consoled.