Coconut oil comes from the flesh of mature coconuts. It is used for cooking and as a health and beauty aid, being used in skin lotions and as a treatment for infections of many kinds. Due to the oil's antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it is a common remedy for ear infections. Talk with a doctor before attempting to treat ear infections and find out if coconut oil is safe for you to use, Also inquire about dosage, as there is no set dose for ear infections, but a doctor may give insight as to how many drops will suffice. People with nut allergies should not use coconut oil.
Step 1
Purchase virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is unrefined and carries more of the healing properties needed for ear infections than purified or refined coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil is slightly darker and will usually be labeled. Virgin coconut oil can be found in grocery stores near other cooking oils or sometimes in the international foods section. Other places to look are natural or health food stores.
Step 2
Remove the dropper dispenser from the vial and squeeze the rubber bulb with your fingers to remove air from the tube. Hold the dropper in this manner and insert it into the coconut oil. Release the bulb slowly until the tube is full of oil.
Step 3
Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up and administer a few drops -- or as many as instructed by the doctor -- directly into the ear canal. Wiggle the outer ear to allow the oil to fully make its way down the ear canal. Lie in this position for a few minutes.
Step 4
Place a cotton ball into the ear to prevent any oil from leaking if you need to move about. Leave it in for at least 20 minutes.
Tips and Warnings
- The coconut oil can be warmed before administration for extra soothing of the ear.
Things You'll Need
- Virgin coconut oil
- Eye dropper
- Cotton ball
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