Imagine your 3-year-old child is screaming, tugging at her ears and acting extremely fussy. These are all common symptoms of an earache, also known as otalgia. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, earaches are due to an increase of pressure and fluid behind the ear drum. Normally, a structure called the eustachian tube drains fluid out of the ear and prevents earaches from ever occurring. Sometimes, an infection can block the eustachian tubes and result in an earache. There are specific steps to get rid of an earache.
Step 1
Place a washcloth under running cold water for 30 seconds. Make sure the washcloth is completely doused with cold water. Squeeze the washcloth to get rid of excess water and apply the washcloth to your ear for 15 to 20 minutes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this can reduce your earache.
Step 2
Sit up and do not lie down. This may relieve pressure in your ear and decrease your earache.
Step 3
Chew gum. Chewing gum can release some of the pressure in your middle ear and decrease your ear pain.
Step 4
Go to your local pharmacy and purchase an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or over-the-counter ear drops. Read the package insert and use as directed. These medications can significantly decrease your earache.
Step 5
Go to your doctor and obtain a prescription for antibiotic medications such as Amoxicillin to treat your earache. Earaches can be a symptom of a common ear infection called otitis media.
Step 6
Go to your ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor and get a tympanostomy tube (ear tube) insertion in the affected ear. This creates a small hole in your eardrum so that fluids can drain properly into your eustachian tube. Ear pressure will decrease and you will no longer have an earache.
Things You'll Need
- Wash cloth
- Gum
- Over-the-counter pain-relievers, such as acetaminophen
- Over-the-counter ear drops
- Antibiotic medication, such as Amoxicillin
- Ear tubes
