Earache

Pain in the ear can be caused by many factors, including bacteria, injury, fluid buildup, accumulated pus, infection in the outer ear (swimmer’s ear) or be associated with throat or sinus infection or a tooth problem. Mild earache may be due to buildup mucus in ear after a cold; during an attack of hay fever; or from pressure changes in the ear while traveling by plane or go diving. Pain in one or both ears and temporary hearing loss are often caused by a middle-ear infection, in which there may be fever and feel generally ill. Sometimes, the eardrum bursts as a result of increased pressure and there is a discharge from the ear.

Earache Symptoms

• Pain in one or both ears.
• Temporary hearing loss mostly due to middle-ear infection.
• Fever and a general feeling of not being well.

Home Remedies for Earache

• Warm compress: Apply warmth to ear to help relieve earache. Make warm compress by soaking a washcloth in warm water and squeeze it out and hold the compress over the affected ear.
• If the ache is from altitude change, just chew gum or yawn to relieve the pain.
• Garlic oil: Instill 2-3 drops of warm garlic oil in the affected ear which is an effective treatment due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It also has natural antiviral properties, and most of the time when a child has an ear infection, it’s a virus rather than bacteria. Make sure that the eardrum is not punctured.
• Tea tree oil: Mix tea tree oil with a little coconut oil or sesame oil, and rub it all over the ear and all around the ear area. Tea tree oil has powerful antiseptic properties.
• Asafoetida: Heat coconut oil in small pan and add a small piece of asafoetida and let it melt. When the oil comes to room temperature, apply the oil inside the ears with your hands. This is one of the effective remedies for ear pain that has been practiced for years. OR Put a pinch of asafoetida in cotton, and roll it into a capsule like shape. Place that ball of cotton into the outer ear. Asafoetida will quickly relieve ear pain due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Do’s for Earache

• Sleep with the head raised on several pillows to reduce pressure in the middle ear.
• If the earache is due to a cold, try using decongestant to help clear nasal passage.
• Wear earplugs while swimming.
• If the earache is due to ear infection, take Vitamin C and zinc supplement to boost immune function and promote healing.

Don’ts for Earache

• Avoid dairy products.
• Avoid excessive use of antibiotics.
• Avoid hair dyes and styling products.
• Don’t swim in polluted or dirty water.

See Doctor

• If ear drum bursts, there may be a discharge. Keep the ear dry and arrange to see doctor.
• Have severe earache, or develop a fever.
• Symptoms become more severe or do not subside within 24 hours of treatment.

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