Fluid buildup in the ear occurs in all acute ear infections. This fluid may be bloody and sometimes filled with pus, according to Medline Plus, and it typically develops in the back of the eardrum, causing sensitivity and pain to the individuals with the infection. Doctors have special tools used to detect this fluid buildup in the ear, which can dampen your ability to hear and get progressively worse over time. There are medical treatments and medications that will get rid of this pain in the ear, but these can also be paired with at-home remedies intended to eliminate inner ear fluid and cure an infected ear.
Step 1
Place a warm cloth or warm bottle of water next to the fluid-filled ear and hold it there for several minutes. The heat can help dilate the Eustachian tubes, which are usually blocked when fluid starts to build up. This dilation can create a canal for the water to flow through freely, enabling some of the fluid to escape the ear and reducing the pain in your middle ear.
Step 2
Place several drops of an over-the-counter medication into the ear. This can help treat and relieve the fluid in the ear. Since the strength of the medication may vary based on the manufacturer, consult the packaging directions when applying the treatment. Use an eye dropper to place the medication in the ear canal.
Step 3
Schedule an appointment with a doctor to receive antibiotics intended to eliminate fluid in the ear and cure an ear infection. Because the ear canal is such a sensitive place, there is a limited number of things you can do on your own to treat fluid in the ear. However, oral medications usually solve the problem over time. Take your doctor-prescribed antibiotics as needed over the course of several days until the pain resulting from your ear fluid disappears.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Warm water
- Pain medication
- Eye dropper
