Do you have earaches frequently or feel like your ears are plugged? If yes, then you might be having an ear infection. Some infections do not last longer than 2 days. But these excruciating pains in your ears are unbearable sometimes. Some ear infections are bacterial and some are common. To overcome this pain you can use home remedies which are often recommended by doctors.
In this blog, we are going to explore the natural remedies that can help you with common ear infections. So if you are experiencing an earache, or your children often have these episodes, then this blog is for you.
6 Natural Home Remedies For Ear Infection
1. Saltwater Gargles
Ear infections caused in the middle ear lead to an inflammation that hurts inside the ear. To reduce the pain, you can opt for saltwater gargles thrice a day to reduce the swelling inside and alleviate the pain. This remedy works for people who have sinus, and throat infections. As the ear is interconnected to these organs, it may get affected by these issues as well.
Take warm water and pour two tablespoons of sea salt in it. Gargle this water 2-3 times a day for a couple of minutes to get better results. This remedy not only works for the ear but also helps you overcome throat infections.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide can help you get rid of an ear infection. This is used when there is excess earwax accumulated in your middle ear which can lead to an infection. Lie down with the affected ear facing the ceiling and ask someone to pour a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into the ear.
It will give a bubbling effect in your ear which is softening your ear wax. After a few minutes, lean over the sink to get the excess liquid out of your ear.
3. Heat And Cold Compression
When you have no idea why your ear is hurting, and there are no symptoms of ear infections, then you can use heat or cold compression. Using a hot pad on your affected ear can help alleviate the pain. The same goes for cold compression with the help of ice packs or a damp washcloth. This is the safest method as they do not have any side effects.
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4. Garlic Oil
Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to alleviate earaches. It works as an antibiotic when you have limited options to treat an ear infection. Soak the garlic in hot sesame seed oil and strain it. Applying this oil over the outer ear canal will soothe the pain. Remember to apply room-temperature oil to avoid burning.
5. Drying Ear Drops
These ear drops are available over-the-counter from pharmacies easily and can help with swimmer’s ears. When the ears have too much fluid in them, it can cause an outer ear infection or block the canal. Drying ear drops will help these fluids to release and avoid any bacterial growth inside your ear.
6. Leaving Them Open
When you are sleeping make sure to sleep on your back or the side with the affected ear facing the ceiling. This way you are putting no pressure on it which can worsen the earaches. It is also called Otitis Media with Effusion, meaning your ear infection will be healed without any interference from antibiotics or any treatment.
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Conclusion
Ear infections are common among children, swimmers, and seniors. These home remedies are meant to treat mild ear infections. If the infection continues for more than two days, then you need to consult a doctor for better treatment. Try to keep your ears clean and always use a Q-tip for cleaning to avoid any build-up of ear wax.