One of the most common causes of ear pains is ear infections. When there is an infection in the ear, the inflammation and the increase in pressure makes the pain in the ear take an intense turn. People might look at earaches to being just a minor nuisance but it can be the cause of some serious nerve-wracking pain as well. Ear pain could be unbearable, will make it very difficult for you to fall asleep, eat, or do anything in general. Those suffering from severe earache must consult a doctor. If there is very mild earache, then we could make use of some easy to follow home remedies which could help reduce the ear pain. This article is all about exploring some of the most effective home remedies for earache.
What Causes Earache?
People suffering from ear infections show other symptoms too, such as a sore throat or sinus pressure as these infections could affect the nearby areas around the ear. Ear infections can also be standalone. And make a point to understand that most of the ear infections are bacterial and not viral. Also, a doctor only should make a diagnosis for an ear condition. We should never go ahead and self-prescribe any form of medication when we have an ear infection. However, not all earaches are caused by infections in your ears. There are conditions too that could lead to earaches. Some of them include:
- Referred Pain: This could be due to inflammation or infections in some other parts of the body. For example, even a mere toothache can lead to severe pain in the ear.
- Skin Infections: If there is an infection in the areas around the ear, it could lead to an earache.
- Water: If water is trapped in the ears, it can lead to ear pain.
- Chronic Conditions: Conditions like TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) and many more.
- Pressure: If there is any change in the altitude, this change could affect the natural equilibrium of the pressure in the ear. Most of the time, this problem gets resolved on its own naturally. In most cases, the person experiences a pop sensation and it gets solved.
- Allergic Reactions: These could happen from many things like shampoo, soap, or even earrings.
Earaches are something we shouldn’t be ignoring. If you leave it untreated, the infection of the ear could spread to your jaws and even affect other parts of your body as well. It even has the potential of permanently damaging the ear as a whole and lead to high fevers as well. If any problems with the ear don’t get solved in a day or two, please do consult a doctor immediately.
Home Remedies For Earache
Now, if the earache isn’t severe, one can try the home remedies mentioned below and seek some relief.
- Garlic
For thousands of years, garlic has been a vital part of folk medicine when it comes to relieving any kind of pain. Several types of research suggest that the antimicrobial properties of garlic can help fight infections in the body. In order to prevent infections in-ear, you can try eating a single garlic clove every day. Ear drops made of garlic helps to not just reduce the earache but also helps in getting rid of the ear infection. To make the ear drops, cook three to four cloves of garlic in two tablespoons of sesame or mustard oil until it turns brown. Strain the mixture and use it as drops for the ear.
- Heat
A hot pack or heating pad when places on the ear can reduce inflammation or pain in the ear. The heat from these will help curb the ear pain. Apply a hot pad to the ear paining for just 20 minutes. Keeping the hot pad on the neck or throat will also provide relief. Ensure that the heating pad isn’t very hot or it can cause burns.
- Onions
Just like garlic, even onions helps fight infection and pain in the ear. You can just heat an onion on a pan or in the microwave for one or two minutes. the liquid oozes out when you do this. You can use that liquid as ear drops to help get rid of the earache. Lie down, and after 10 minutes, let the liquid flow out of the ear. Repeat if needed.
- Breast Milk
Breast milk is known to be very rich in antimicrobial properties. Researchers suggest that a mother’s breast milk has the capability of changing the microbes to which here baby might be exposed to. Even in adults, topical application of breast milk, putting a few drops of it into the ear can help reduce earache. And the best part about this is that there will not be any side effects with breast milk.
- Cold
Applying a cold pack also helps in easing earache. Either use a cold pack or wrap ice cubes in a towel. Place it on the ear and remove it after 10-20 minutes depending on how much cold you could bear. The cold shouldn’t be hurting! For some heat provides great relief and for some cold does. You can as well alternate with hot and cold packs every 20 minutes.
- Olive Oil
Olive oil is widely used to treat earaches. It can also help in lubricating your ear and prevent many unnecessary infections as well. It even reduces any swelling of the ear as well. Just warm up the oil, tilt your head slightly with the affected ear facing the ceiling above. Pour 2-3 drops of the warm olive oil into the ear. Stay that way for five minutes and then bend to remove any excess oil from the ear. Clean the debris with a cotton swab.
Depending on the nature of the infection, earache could last from 3 to 15 days. And it is always best advised to use simple, inexpensive home remedies as they miraculously treat acute earaches. And if the problem is severe, always consult a doctor.