Here are the 24 home remedies for ear infection (otitis) and all the possible tricks to relieve the pain quickly and heal fast. Try some of them, surely there will be one that will make you feel better!
I. What is an ear infection
An ear infection is usually called otitis and is an inflammation of the ear.
It is caused by a bacterial spread or by viruses that may have reached the ear through other orifices, such as the nose and mouth.
Beyond its causes, it is also possible to get an ear infection through an allergic reaction.
II. Types of Ear Infections
1. Inner ear infection
Inner ear infection, or internal otitis, is often called labyrinthitis. This rare infection affects an organ of the ear called the labyrinth, in which there are two organs: the cochlea and the vestibule.
Tinnitus, ringing in the ears, a burning sensation in the head, and dizziness are signs of labyrinthitis.
2. Middle Infection
Infection of the middle ear is called otitis media and is most often found in children and infants.
The Eustachian tube is the link between the middle ear and the throat. Because of this, viruses and bacteria that are usually found in the throat can travel to the middle ear and inflame it.
3. Outer Infection
External ear infection or otitis externa can be caused by a variety of germs, such as Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Some fungi can also cause an ear infection. It is due to an examination of the ear canal by a professional, or an analysis of a sample extracted from your ear that an external infection is diagnosed.
II. Ear infection symptoms
The symptoms of ear infection are numerous and can vary from one type of infection to another.
But overall, they include ear pain, decreased hearing, itchy ear or pus, swelling of the ear canal or nausea.
Fungal ear infection caused by Candida albicans does not cause visible fungus formation, but usually results in a thick cream-colored discharge.
III. 24 Home remedies for ear infection (Children and Adult)
1. Ice Compress
Cold is a way to relieve pain and inflammation, and it also works with earache.
For this, you have a choice.
You can wrap ice in a cloth and apply it to the sore ear for about ten minutes.
A glove dipped in ice water is another option.
Cold compress is one of the most famous home remedies for ear infection, it quickly relieves the pain associated with ear infection.
2. A warm compress
To help you when you suffer from the ear, you can use heat. For example, you can apply a compress moistened with hot water against your ear.
You can also take a hot shower, as the steam and heat help soften the ear plugs.
3. A heating pad
The heating gel pad is very useful for people with ear infections. The heat is able to relieve you from the pain caused by your ear infection.
You can use it when you want to sleep by lying against the heating pad with your ear against it.
4. Over-the-counter ear drops with pain relievers
If you want to use ear drops to treat your ear pain, you can find them over the counter. But you can also mix 2 drops of sweet almond oil with 1 drop of geranium, oregano, lavender and cajeput EO.
Do not put drops in your ears if you have fever or pus, in addition to your pain.
5. Sleep Position
If you have an ear infection, certain positions can cause or worsen the pain. For example, avoid lying down, which is not comfortable.
Instead, use a semi-recumbent position, without moving your head.
6. Neck exercises
Osteopathy can be used if you suffer from ear pain. It is a manual medicine that aims to strengthen the muscles and the skeleton, to rebalance the lymphatic, nervous and circulatory systems.
In case of otitis, whether acute or chronic, the “Galbreath” maneuver uses the mandible to exert an action on the Eustachian tube.
Performed with a certain regularity, and in association with antibiotics, osteopathic techniques greatly reduce the frequency of otitis media.
7. Breast milk
It is possible to relieve your child’s ear infection by putting a few drops of breast milk in his ears.
This is a method that is often used to help a child with ear pain. However, it should not be used as a substitute for an appointment with a pediatrician and proper treatment.
Also, do not do it if the eardrum is perforated.
8. Ginger
Due to its anti-inflammatory powers, ginger root can give you relief from your ear infection. You can insert a 2 cm stick of ginger root directly into your ear, but not deeply.
And you can also apply warm ginger juice around your ear. You don’t need to put it directly into the opening.
9. Apple cider vinegar
To effectively use apple cider vinegar to fight tinnitus, you can drink a glass of water with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in it.
If you want, add a little honey to it. Drink this mixture twice a day for more effectiveness.
10. Hydrogen peroxide
You can clean your ears with hydrogen peroxide. Put 1 to 3 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each ear with a dropper.
Make sure your ear is facing up so the product does not pour out. Wait 3 to 5 minutes.
To make sure the hydrogen peroxide is going into the ear, pull on the top edge of your ear.
11. Onions juice
You can use onion juice to soothe your ear pain. All you have to do is cut a fresh onion and wrap it in a cloth.
Then, place the cloth for 5 to 10 minutes on the sick ear. Position your head so that the onion juice goes into the ear.
12. Warm olive oil in the ear
Using olive oil to eliminate your ear plug problem is a simple and natural solution. Heat a little olive oil, but not too much, before dropping a couple of drops into your ear.
Don’t use it if your eardrums are injured or damaged. After putting drops in your ear before you go to bed, you can put a piece of absorbent cotton at the entrance to your orifice to prevent the oil from dripping onto your pillow.
13. Naturopathic drops
Homeopathy is a natural way to treat earaches. When your eardrum is painful, use 2 granules of belladona 5 ch that you let melt under your tongue. Do this for 3 days.
By sucking 2 granules of capsicum 5 c and this 3 times a day, you will act against your burning otitis.
14. Chiropractic treatment
Chiropractic treatment for otitis is based on the principle that spinal manipulations bring changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic neural activity.
In addition, these massages promote the opening of the Eustachian tube. See a certified chiropractor to benefit from their services.
15. Garlic
Garlic is an antibacterial. You can use it to treat your ear infection. Cook garlic cloves to get the juice. Once this is done, put 3 drops in your sick ear.
Another option is to use pure garlic oil in your ears.
16. Tea Tree Oil
By diluting one drop of tea tree EO with vegetable oil such as olive or avocado oil for example, you have the mixture to help with your ear infection.
Use the mixture to massage around the ear for 5 days, 3 times a day. Tea tree oil is an antibacterial.
17. Vitamin D
Studies have shown that children often affected by otitis suffer from a vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D supplementation can have a preventive effect on otitis, especially because it strengthens the body’s immune system.
18. Massage
Start by inserting warm oil into your ear, perhaps olive oil. Then gently massage behind your earlobe while pulling on it.
Do all this while mechanically opening and closing your mouth. The earwax can now be carefully removed with tweezers.
19. Mullein
Mullein oil is made from mullein flower. Used in the form of ear drops, mullein is a quick and effective way to deal with earaches.
All you have to do is to put in your ears between 1 to 3 drops 3 times a day. Mullein flowers are one of the most well-known and used remedies for ear infections.
20. Acupuncture
For certain ear pathologies, you can turn to acupuncture.
Auriculotherapy is the name given to acupuncture, when it is performed only on the ear. This method effectively treats tinnitus or hearing loss.
21. Basil
To use basil for ear infections, crush a handful and mix it with a handful of plantain leaves.
Heat the whole into a warm mixture, which you will apply against your affected ear in the form of a cataplasm.
22. Blow-drying the ear
The heat of a hair dryer can also help you with an ear infection. To do this, turn it to the lowest setting and point it at your painful ear, 15 to 20 cm from the pinna.
Keep the heat flowing to your ear for many minutes.
23. Distraction
It is always important to think about other things when you are in pain, especially with ear pain.
Listen to music, read a novel, watch TV… If you don’t focus on the pain you are feeling, chances are it will go away on its own.
If you are in a lot of pain, take something to make you feel better. But often it can take a long time to work. So even in these cases, distract yourself.
24. Chew gum
Ear pain is often relieved by chewing. It may sound strange, but the pressure on the jaws while chewing is able to soothe you.
It is therefore very advisable when you have ear pain, to chew gum for example. And it is very useful when landing a plane when the pressure makes your ears hurt.
IV. Prevention
To avoid getting an ear infection, when you swim wear silicone earplugs or a bathing cap.
Don’t clean your ears with too much force to avoid hurting yourself. Do not use cotton swabs to clean your ears.
In children, it is difficult to prevent ear infections because of the difficulty children have in maintaining good hygiene.
To prevent some ear infections, children should wash their hands often. Clean your child’s ears by putting 3 drops of warm olive oil in the ear canal as a preventive measure.
And case of ear infection you can use one of the home remedies for ear infection, which we have mentioned in this article.
