Study shows that thousands of children and even adults suffer from exterior and inner ear infections, also known as glue ear syndrome, every year. It is a common condition where the Eustachian tubes or mid ear becomes filled with pus like fluid. It is caused by viral, bacterial or fungal attacks. Experts say that children, between the ages of 6 months and 2 years are more prone to glue ear than adults. Changes in altitude, climate (especially in winter and rainy season), tobacco smoking etc. are some of the risk factors around us. Babies who are bottle fed at an early age are more exposed to these infections. Sufferers can now avoid the need for medicines or an operation by following some simple home remedies to get rid of ear infections and prevent swimmer’s ear.
Ear infection Symptoms
- Pain in ear (mild/chronic)
- Hearing loss
- Discharge of pus from the ear
- Ttrouble balancing
- Feeling of fullness in the ear
- Fever
- Headache
- Itchiness, or
- Blisters in the ear and around it
Causes
Swollen or blocked Eustachian tubes resulting in fluid build up in your middle ear due to
- Allergy
- Cold
- Swollen throat
- Excess mucus in ear
- Viral fever
- Sinus infection
Easy Home Remedies to Get Rid of Ear Infections
1. Salt
This is probably the most common and easily available home remedies for earache and ear infections.
Method: Wrap heated salt in a soft clean cotton cloth and place it on the affected area.
This will help to drain out the fluid trapped in your mid ear.
2. Basil
Basil comes handy to get rid of ear infection in kids. It soothes the pain and also reduces the infection.
Method: Apply basil extract directly or by mixing it with some essential oil around the infected ear without letting it get into your ear canal.
3. Mango Leaf
Mango leaf extract is a very effective solution to get rid of ear infections. It relieves the pain and cures the infection very quickly. This wonderful, easily available home remedy takes no time to soothe your pain and is effective from its first use itself.
Method: put 2-3 drops of mango leaf extract into the infected ear.
4. Garlic
This naturally antimicrobial veggie fits perfectly in the list of effective home remedies for ear infections. It is very effective in healing ear infections.
Method: put few drops of garlic oil as ear drops. Consume garlic with warm water or tea. Alternatively boiled garlic cloves can be crushed, mixed with salt and applied to the affected area.
Note: Garlic oil can be prepared by heating garlic in coconut or mustard oil.
5. Onion
This commonly used kitchen ingredient, best known for its pungent smell is useful in treating ear infections.
Method: Put 2-3 drops of onion extract in the infected ear and leave it for 5-10 minutes then drain it out by either lying sideways or using an ear bud.
6. Olive Oil
Blockage in the Eustachian tubes causing bacterial growth can be cured using olive oil.
Method: Put a few drops of bearably heated olive oil in infected ear and use ear buds to remove softened wax and get rid of the ear infection.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar has anti-fungal properties which make it beneficial for itchy ear syndrome or sometimes blisters in ear.
Method: Mix equal amount of apple cider vinegar with water and use few drops of it as an ear drop. Remove infected wax from your ear using a small cotton ball or ear bud.
8. Rice
This cereal grain comes handy while treating minor ear infections.
Method: Heat up rice in a pan and wrap it in a clean cotton cloth. Place it on the affected area when it is bearably hot.
9. Mustard Oil
Like olive oil, mustard oil can be also used to clear Eustachian tube blockage.
Method: Put a few drops of warm mustard oil in ear and remove infected wax by using a small cotton ball or ear bud.
10. Warm Compresses
Warm and cold compresses are often used to relieve pain in any body part. The same is applicable for pain due to ear infections also as it retards the growth of microbes causing infection.
Method: Place bearably hot water bag on the affected area.
Note: Avoid using cold compresses as it might lead to swollen tonsils worsening the condition further.
11. Tea Tree Oil
Having mildly antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil is beneficial home remedies for soothing earache and reducing the infection.
Method: Mix equal amount of tea tree oil and olive oil. Pour a few drops of it into your ear and remove the infected wax using an ear bud.
12. Urine
Although it’s not a very commonly used cure, since putting pee in your ear sounds gross, but study shows that this unusual traditional remedy works wonders for ear infections.
Method: Put a few drops of urine in your ear and drain it out after 3-4 minutes by laying sideways.
13. Elderberry Syrup
This wonderful gift of nature which is known to strengthen immune system also has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties that can cure ear infections.
Method: Put in 2-3 drops of elderberry syrup in the infected ear.
Note: Elderberry syrup is easily available in the market.
14. Colloidal Silver
It is often recommended to use warm colloidal silver for ear infections. It is safe when used in very small amount.
Method: Put 1-2 drops of warm colloidal silver in infected ear not more than twice a day.
15. Maintain Hydration
A lot of illnesses heal with time for a healthy individual. Maintaining hydration by drinking at least 2 liters of water daily helps body’s natural immune system to fight against the microbes causing infections.
16. Mullein Extracts
This wild flowering plant is effective home remedies in curing ear infections. Mullein oil is easily available in the market.
Method: Put a few drops of mullein oil in your infected ear twice daily. Alternatively you can mix mullein tea, olive oil and boiled mullein flowers and leave it overnight and use it instead of mullein oil.
17. Ear Plug
Use earplugs while swimming or taking a shower to get rid of swimmer’s ear.
18. Vaseline
Dip cotton balls in Vaseline and use it to plug the ears if you are suffering from swimmer’s ear condition.
19. Alcohol, vinegar, distilled water mixture
This home-made solution works amazingly for people suffering from swimmer’s ear condition. Mix 50% rubbing alcohol, 25% white vinegar, and 25% distilled water to make this home-made medicine. It is mildly acidic and works equally well for fungal infections, blisters and itchiness in ear.
Method: Put few drops of the solution in your ear and drain it after 3-5 minutes.
20. Essential oils
Messaging essential oils is a great ear infection treatment, and can help in draining fluid trapped in mid ear causing the infection.
21. Blowing balloons through nostrils
Blowing up small nose balloons through each nostril opens up the Eustachian tubes and promotes drainage of thick fluid filling the mid ear.
Precautions to avoid ear infections:
- Breast-feeding infants
- Avoiding crowded places
- Prevent common cold
- Keeping hands clean
- Avoiding passive smoking
Ear problems can cause massive discomfort if left untreated for long time. Please remember that even tooth ache often causes ear pain which may be mistaken as an ear infection. Consult an ear specialist before using home remedies to cure ear infections in infants as their immune systems are poorly developed. These home remedies are very effective but always remember that if the condition persists for more than 2-3 weeks then you must consult a doctor.