The appropriate remedy to use for ear pain depends on the cause of the ear pain. Luckily, there are plenty of remedies for most of the common causes of ear pain. Most causes of ear pain are related to infections. Causes of ear pain that are not infectious usually consist of mechanisms causing Eustachian tube dysfunction. That, in turn, causes pressure to build in the middle part of the ear, which can be painful.
Oral Antibiotics
Because many instances of ear pain are caused by either a middle ear or an ear canal infection, antibiotics are a common remedy to get rid of ear pain. Bacteria that cause ear infections are usually in a category called gram positive, which includes streptococcus. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic often used for those infections because of its action against gram-positive strains and its low risk of side effects. It is taken orally and can be either in pill or liquid form.
Antibiotic Drops
Antibiotic ear drops, such as Floxin, can help treat ear canal infections, also known as "swimmer's ear." They can be used in combination with oral antibiotic medications for more severe infections. Often, the antibiotic in the drops is combined with a steroid medication. The combination helps fight infection while also decreasing the inflammation in the ear. An example of such a drug is Ciprodex, which is a combination of ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone.
Decongestants
Because many cases of ear pain are caused by nasal and sinus tissue swelling that obstructs Eustachian tube drainage, decongestant medications can provide effective relief. The medications can be either topical, such as nasal spray, or oral. They relieve pressure by constricting the blood vessels to the nasal and sinus tissues, shrinking the tissue and decreasing swelling. Once the swelling comes down, the Eustachian tubes open and pressure gets released from the ear. The decongestants are also an effective method for treating ear pain during air travel. When the atmospheric pressure increases during landing, many people develop ear pain. Taking a decongestant before landing can help relieve some of the pressure pain.
References
- British Medical Journal; "Clinical Efficacy of Three Common Treatments in Acute Otitis Externa in Primary Care: Randomised Controlled Trial"; Frank van Balen; November 2003
- Journal of the Chinese Medical Association; "Ear Problems in Swimmers"; Mao-Che Wang; August 2005
- Harvard Women's Health Watch; "High-flying Health Tips. Safeguard Your Health in the Air With Advance Knowledge and Preparation"; May 2004
