Treating earache with home remedies

Earaches can be really irritating at times and can hamper your daily work schedule if it persists.

Although it is a common habit to take antibiotics to get rid of the pain, it is important to understand first whether you need any antibiotic at all.

There was a time when doctors used to prescribe antibiotics for ear infections but with time that has changed a lot and now-a-days doctors suggest not taking antibiotics unless it’s absolutely necessary.

It is really advisable to try out home remedies first and then go for a prescribed medication, if required.

Here are some of the home remedies that you might want to try: 

Warm or cold compress

Using an ice pack or a heating pad or may be damp washcloth can surely relieve your ear pain to some extent.

This method can be used for adults and kids as well as there are no side effects at all.

Olive oil

Make sure to try out one compress only and either ice pack or warm compress will do. 

Although Olive Oil does not have any scientific significance in healing ear pain, but if you must try, use a few drop of warm olive oil in your ear canal and it might help you a bit.

Also, before using this method for children, you need to talk to a doctor to ensure whether it’s safe for them or not.

Also, try not to overheat the olive oil as this can cause your eardrum to burn. So, check the temperature before you put it in your ear. 

Naturopathic drops

These types of drops are made out of herbal extracts and you can buy them online or choose to buy them from a local drug shop.

These drops can surely help you get rid of the ear pain effectively.

Chiropractic treatment

Although there hasn’t been much of a scientific reason behind this but studies have shown that children have observed significant benefits out of chiropractic treatment.

According to some studies, 43% of the subject children showed good improvement of ear aches after undergoing chiropractic treatment.

Tea tree oil

Tea Tree oil is a well known antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substance.

With the use of a few drops of this oil in your ear, you can have less pain and feel a lot more comfort as well.

You can choose to add olive oil to tea tree oil and mix them well and use it on your ears.

Ginger

Ginger is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can sooth pain in the ear in no time at all.

All you need to do is get ginger juice or if you wish you can use warm oil with ginger and apply it to your outer ear.

Make sure you do not put it inside your ear canal. 

Garlic

Garlic can really useful as a pain-relieving and antibiotic substance.

Crush garlic first and then soak it in warm olive oil. Strain the mixture and put drops of it into your ear canal to have a soothing feeling.

In some time, your ear pain should get reduced effectively.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a well known natural remedy for earaches.

You need to use drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ear, wait for some time, and then let it drain. Once done, clean your ear using distilled water. 

Colloidal Silver

Use a dropper to pour 2-3 drops of colloidal silver in your ear. This should do the trick.

Colloidal silver is an antibiotic agent that can kill fungi, pathogens and bacteria, thus healing any kind of infection in your ear and reducing the pain in the process.

Coconut Oil

Use a dropper to put a few drops of warm coconut oil in your ear and cover it with a cotton ball.

Make some jaw movements to ensure the oil reaches every corner of your ear and it should relieve your pain in 10-15 minutes.

Make sure to remove the cotton ball after 10-15 minutes.

The presence of lauric acid in the coconut oil tends to have antimicrobial properties that can cure earache real quick.

Castor Oil

A few drops of warm castor oil can surely help in reducing the earache to some extent.

Make sure to use a cotton ball to cover your ear once you apply the oil. Remove it after a few minutes and clean up your ear.

Due to its anti-fungal properties, castor oil can be a good option to try out as a home remedy to fight ear pain.

Lavender Oil

Pour a few drops on a cotton ball and place at the ear opening. Make sure to apply a few drops and massage your outer ear as well.

Lavender oil is known for its soothing properties and it can certainly help in reducing earaches by soothing your nerves.

It also can be helpful in treating infections as well. 

Mineral Oil

This is a home remedy that can help the swimmers, to be specific.

Before you go to swim, remember to use a few drops of this oil in both your ears.

This oil can prevent the excess water from going inside your ear, thereby preventing any chances of irritation or pain.

Oregano Oil

Mix oregano and olive oil and put few drops on the outer area of your ear. Massage the outer part of ear for a better relief.

Oregano oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and analgesic in nature which makes it a great option to reduce earaches.

But remember not to use oregano oil directly in your ear.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint with olive oil can be a good home remedy to reduce ear pain. Heat the olive oil and add the crushed peppermint leaves in it.

Warm it for a few minutes and then strain it. Use the mixture into your ear to effectively reduce ear pain.

Get ready to fight Earache at home

Now that you know all these home remedies that can cure earaches, you might not feel like having antibiotics any more.

But remember that use of home remedies can only cure earaches to some extent.

In case your ear pain is caused due to underlying issues, these remedies won’t work. In that case, you will have to see a doctor and proceed as prescribed.