What Is Earache?
Earache can be excruciatingly painful, causing the sufferer difficulty in sleeping, eating, and concentrating. It is always my recommendation to seek help from a doctor, especially if the pain has gotten unbearable.
What Causes Earache?
One of the most common causes of ear pain are ear infections due to inflammation or build-up of wax. Other causes may be sinus pressure, a sore throat, or even skin infections. Ear infections tend to be bacterial, not viral, and therefore not contagious.
Occasionally ear infections can spread to the jaw, causing toothache, headaches, and migraines, especially when the pain has lasted for more than a day or two. If the pain becomes extreme, you develop a high fever, or you are experiencing hearing loss, please seek medical attention immediately.
Earache, even once the pain has gone, can still affect your hearing making communication frustrating, especially when using your cell phone. However, with new, innovative technology concentrating on the issue of hearing problems, there are readily accessible solutions available.
Home Remedies For Earache
1. Heating Pad
One big help for earaches is heat from an electric heating pad or hot compress. This can help ease the pain in your ear. You can apply the pad directly to your ear, neck or throat for about 20 minutes each time.
2. Cold Compress
Some people use a hot compress to relieve pain, the same goes for a cold compress. It can help a lot with ailments such as swelling, muscle aches, sprains—including earache. Wrap ice in a light, clean towel, and apply to the painful ear area for approximately 20 minutes.
You can also try alternating hot and cold compresses (20 minutes hot, then 20 minutes cold) to provide more relief. This ACE Reusable Cold Compress would be a good choice because of its soft-touch fabric. Just stick it in the freezer for about an hour or so and you’re good to go.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil has incredible antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. It comes with a built-in dropper, so it’s easy to apply as ear drops. In case your skin is very sensitive, add a dash of olive oil to a few drops of Tea Tree Oil.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide has been recognized as a natural solution for earache for many years. Place a few drops into your affected ear. Give it a chance to sit for a couple of minutes, then drain it into a sink. Afterwards, gently rinse your ear out with clean warm water, preferably distilled.
5. Naturopathic Drops
Naturopathic Drops are made from natural herbal extracts and can be bought over-the-counter. Specifically designed to treat stubborn ear infections, Smarthealth Naturopathics Ear Infection is taken orally to fight earache from the inside.
6. Olive Oil
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), putting a few drops of warm olive oil in your ear is a safe and effective remedy for earache. Use a thermometer to make sure the olive oil won’t cause burns.
