Fluid in the ears can cause discomfort and lead to an ear infection. Ear infections are common to children, according to Kids Health, which says more than three out of four children have experienced an ear infection by the time they reach 4 years old. An allergy or cold may cause the ear to not properly drain, causing bacteria or a virus to build and an infection to occur in the eustachian tube. Certain actions can be taken at home to help treat and lessen the pain of ear infections, but seeing your doctor may be necessary if pain worsens or is not relieved within two or three days.
Step 1
Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen. If it is your child who is experiencing fluid in their ears, make sure it is a child's formula. Family Doctor suggests taking these pills to help your child feel better. Be sure to never give your child aspirin.
Step 2
Lay the ears on a heating pad. Family Doctor suggests this can help relieve pain or discomfort in the ears.
Step 3
Drop a few drops of garlic and mullein flower oils into the ears twice daily. The Reader's Digest Association suggests these formulas for earaches in the book "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs." The book claims these herbal drops can provide relief within 10 minutes.
Step 4
Take 1000mg of vitamin C daily, along with 500mg of flavonoids three times a day. The Reader's Digest Association suggests taking these supplements until the infection clears.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure to not be exposed to secondhand smoke when having discomfort in the ears. Also, washing your hands before meals can help prevent infection. Other oils you can try include lavender and eucalyptus oil. A few drops of lavender oil can be added to the ear, in replacement of the mullein flower oil. A few drops of the eucalyptus oil can be added to recently boiled water and you can breath in the steam with a towel over your head, according to the Reader's Digest Association.
- It is imperative to see your doctor if fluid is not relieved in a matter of days. If your child is experiencing repeated ear infections, please call your doctor. Ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss and affect speech and language development.
Things You'll Need
- Pain relievers such as acetaminophen
- Heating pad
- Garlic oil
- Mullein flower oil
- Vitamin C and flavonoid supplement
References
- KidsHealth: Middle Ear Infections
- Family Doctor: Earaches in Children
- "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs"; The Reader's Digest Association; 1999
