1. A Real Pain in the Ear
Earaches and infections appear mostly in children. The ear has three chambers and any of them can be the cause of pain. The outer ear may have excessive wax build up in it or an insect may have flown in resulting in an earache. These are probably the easiest to treat at home. Other infections that will cause pain can be infections of the middle ear and eardrum or infections of the inner ear that connects the middle ear with the throat by way of the Eustachian tubes. Both of these types of infection result from a blockage of the Eustachian tubes by mucus as they enter the nose and throat.
2. Ear Pain is Intense
Most pain from ear infections rise and get worse at night. Without relief, it can make for a miserable night. Sometimes over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are enough to get rid of the pain but when they aren't, there are many home remedies that can help until you can get to your doctor.
3. Home Sweet Home
Trips to the doctor or the emergency room are never any fun. They are expensive and take time away from more productive pursuits. Most people would much prefer to treat their problems in a comforting environment like their own home. When problems like ear aches come up, be prepared with what you need and have the items on hand to deal with each occurrence. Each home should have a home remedy kit that will provide help for the most common ailments.
4. Relieve the Pain at Home
There are many methods of relieving the pain of an earache available at home. When you are suffering, the most important thing is to take away the pain. The fastest way to bring relief is to apply some heat to the ear. Moist heat in the form of a hot compress will reduce the swelling and pain of an earache. A method of applying heat that will not fade as quickly is to heat a cup of salt in the microwave (30 to 60 seconds), then wrap the salt in a piece of cloth or in the bottom of a sock. Apply the sock to the ear and you will feel the heat soothe the painful ear. Finally, for earaches caused by the build up of wax you can clean the ear out. The best method to clean out excess wax is to pour a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water (equal volumes) into the ear that is painful. Allow it to work for about 10 minutes then drain.
5. Fight the Infection
To fight an infection in the ear, home remedies can also be helpful. Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Placing a few drops of fresh garlic juice into the painful ear will ease the pain but will also begin the healing process. You can prepare oil that will keep for a month or two. Place two cloves of garlic in a 1/4 cup of olive oil and let it infuse for two days. Apply a few drops of this oil to the hurting ear. Not only will the olive oil soothe the pain and loosen any excess wax but also the antibiotic effects of the garlic will help heal any infection present.
