Earaches are unpleasant and often interfere with a person's daily routines. In some cases, they can indicate more serious diseases. The pain is usually intense and felt deep in the head. Children may wake at night screaming from an earache. Having a choice of home remedies on hand to relieve ear pain is always a good idea, especially during the night when it is more difficult to reach your doctor. Always check with your doctor or health practitioner in advance to determine whether home remedies are appropriate for the ear condition.
Hot Sock Compress
Make a hot compress by filling a clean cotton sock with sea salt. Place some dried lavender in the sock with the salt. Heat the salt-filled sock in the microwave oven to body temperature. Place on the painful ear as a compress. This is a soothing remedy that also has medicinal qualities. The warm salt helps speed recovery during an infection, while the lavender soothes and relaxes. If you do not have a microwave oven, you can heat the salt in a skillet and then place it into the sock. Discard the salt after use and do not use it for anything else.
Moist, Warm Compress
Soak a washcloth in warm water -- as warm as you can tolerate -- that is infused with lavender essential oil, and place the washcloth on the painful ear. Use only a drop or two of the oil and mix in well. Place a dry towel on top of the washcloth to hold in the heat. As it cools, repeat by re-soaking it in the water and reapplying. The moist heat is soothing and relieves ear pain.
Warm Olive Oil and Garlic
Warm for an hour ½ cup of light olive oil on the stove with 2 peeled and crushed cloves of garlic in it. Store in the refrigerator for future use. To use, re-heat to body temperature. Have the patient lay with the painful ear facing upward and place several drops of warm oil into the ear. Place a small cotton ball in the ear to keep oil from running out. Do not put liquids into an ear if you suspect a broken eardrum. Do not store garlic oil at room temperature to prevent botulism toxin from developing.
Chewing Gum
If your earache is the result of being in an airplane and the eustachian tubes are blocked, try chewing a piece of gum to relieve the blockage. One the blockage is relieved, usually the pain will disappear in a short time. Place a warm lavender and salt compress on your ear after the blockage is relieved to stop any lingering pain. Do not chew gum while lying down or while in bed before falling asleep.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide may relieve an earache that is caused by infection or an insect that becomes lodged in the ear. Place several drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear while lying with the painful ear facing upward. Continue lying in this position for about ten minutes to allow the hydrogen peroxide to work.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Garlic
Warm apple cider vinegar makes a soothing ear treatment to relieve earaches. Simmer ½ cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 peeled and crushed cloves of garlic for 30 minutes. Allow to cool to body temperature and place a few drops in the affected ear. Cover with a small piece of cotton ball. Remain lying with the painful ear facing upward for ten minutes to let the vinegar act. Alternatively, you can gently drop the vinegar into the ear with a Q-tip cotton swab. Do not insert the swab into the ear canal. Use only organic apple cider vinegar to avoid impurities or pesticides, which may be present in conventional products. Store the remainder of the mixture in the refrigerator for future use.
References
- American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery: Earaches
- "Alkalinize or Die"; Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; 2001
- Mayon Clinic: Earache
- "Back to Eden"; Jethro Kloss; 1992
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon. M.S. and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
Member Comments