Earache--just say the word and most parents will cringe. This painful condition often appears suddenly and abruptly, frequently developing in the middle of the night or on the weekend when your doctor may not be available. In certain cases, almond oil could provide an effective remedy for the pain that accompanies some earaches, but talk to your doctor before using it, especially if you or your child have nut allergies.
Causes
Earaches arise from a variety of causes in people of all ages. If your child develops an earache, a middle ear infection is typically the most likely cause, especially in infants and children under the age of 3; middle ear infections, or otitis media, involve the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear arising from a blocked Eustachian tube. Other causes of earaches include outer ear infections, or swimmer's ear, compacted earwax, a ruptured eardrum, tooth infections and sinus infections.
Uses
Almond oil may provide a way to minimize the ear pain arising from compacted wax and some ear infections. For a middle ear infection-induced earache, several drops of warmed almond oil may be used alone or infused with garlic and mullein, two common herbal remedies for earache pain, according to Aviva Jill Romm, certified midwife and author of "Naturally Healthy Babies and Children." The American Academy of Family Physicians categorizes almond oil as an oil-based cerumenolytic--wax-softening solution--which reduces wax accumulations through lubrication.
Method
To treat impacted wax, insert three drops of almond oil directly into the ear canal of your wax-packed ear once daily for no more than three to four days, recommends the AAFP. Instilling the drops into the ear in the evening right before you go to bed allows them to penetrate deep into the wax-blocked ear canal while you sleep. In some mild cases, the softened cerumen may be able to work its way out of the ear canal on its own; more severe cases may require irrigation or manual removal by a physician. If you fail to notice improvement in your earache pain within 24 to 48 hours, arrange an appointment with your primary care doctor.
Considerations
In many situations, a child suffering from an acute middle ear infection may require additional treatment beyond topical almond oil, possibly even antibiotics. Oral over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be appropriate for reducing pain and the fever that sometimes accompanies middle ear infections, notes Dr. Robert H. Pantell, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California-San Francisco and co-author of the book "Taking Care of Your Child. Depending upon your child's age, additional options for care at home include cold compresses, chewing gum, and sitting in a slightly inclined position.
Warning
Don't use almond oil for earaches if you might have a punctured eardrum. As a nut-based product, almond oil may cause allergic reactions, especially if you have a history of nut allergies. Talk to your doctor before using using almond oil for earaches if you or anyone in your family has experienced any type of allergic reaction to nuts. Mild signs of allergic reactions may include skin rashes, redness and localized itching. Severe signs of an allergic reaction to almond oil typically require emergency medical treatment and could include breathing problems, wheezing, dizziness and swelling of the face.
References
- "Pediatric Answers;" Dr. Evet Benjamin; 2004
- Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Earaches
- "Naturally Healthy Babies and Children;" Aviva Jill Romm; 2003
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Cerumen Impaction
- "Taking Care of Your Child;" Dr. Robert H. Pantell et al; 2009
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