An earache may be the sign of a developing infection and, therefore, warrants medical care. However, there are home treatments to help soothe the pain until your doctor checkup.
- A dose of Benadryl or another decongestant is often recommended by doctors to help reduce swelling in the ear canals.
- Take Tylenol for earache pain, following dosage recommendations on the bottle.
- Another way to soothe earache pain is to apply peppermint essential oil around the outside of your ear. Applying it down the neck from the ear may also soothe earache pain. Use caution not to get any of this oil inside your ear. If you experience skin sensitivity, apply milk, or vegetable or olive oil on top of the peppermint oil to reduce its potency. Additionally, dilute the peppermint oil using vegetable or olive oil prior to future applications.
- Fill a water bottle with warm water-or use a heating pad-and sleep with the aching ear on top of it. A towel may be used to cover the bottle or pad if is too warm to lie on.
- Use an alternative ear drop remedy. There are various over-the-counter remedies for earaches containing herbs such as Mullein, St. John’s Wort and Calendula Flower, mixed with garlic and olive oil. Directions state to use one to three drops of slightly warmed oil three times a day.
- If you are prone to reoccurring ear problems, consider using an ear product-available at drugstores-after swimming, bathing and showering to dry up water inside the ear canal. When water gets trapped inside the ear, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, thus creating more of a need for antibiotics to heal the problem. Using these “swimmer’s ear” drops regularly will help prevent water from sitting inside the ear canal.
While some people claim to use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in their ears, there is some controversy over whether or not it is beneficial. As noted on the bottle, hydrogen peroxide may be used as a mouth rinse to help kill bacteria. It has now also become popular as an ear remedy.
Some experts caution against this, however, as once the oxygenating effect of hydrogen peroxide subsides, water is left behind.
“But rinsing the ear canal with hydrogen peroxide (H2 O 2) results in oxygen bubbling off and water being left behind—wet, warm ear canals make good incubators for growth of bacteria,” states the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, “Flushing the ear canal with rubbing alcohol displaces the water and dries the canal skin.”
These tips are not meant to replace a doctor visit.
If you have a history of reoccurring ear problems, please consult your doctor before using any remedies not recommended by your own health care professional.
