People think earaches are an only minor nuisance. But, it can lead to the most unbearable pain. The most common cause of ear pain is an infection. However, there are other causes like chronic conditions, skin infections, allergic reactions, pressure, and trapped water. While you wait to get medical help or for antibiotics to kick in, there are some home remedies that can prove to be useful. It will relieve you of the severe earaches. Here is a series of efficacious home remedies for ear pain.

  1. Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen for controlling pain that is related to painful ear infection known as acute otitis media. You can take them either with or without antibiotics. However, make sure you follow instructions for the dose on the label. In case it is for a child, talk to your doctor regarding the dose.  There are also infant versions available.

  1. Heat

Heat from hot pact or from the electric heating pad is capable of reducing pain in the ear and inflammation. You will get a wide range of heating pads over the internet. Apply this to your ear for about twenty minutes. In order to get the best result, apply the hot pad to the throat and neck, too. Make sure that the heating pad isn’t too hot. Again, do not make the mistake of falling asleep with the heating pad.

  1. Cold

Just like a hot pack, a cold pack can also be helpful for your ear pain. Wrap up ice in paper towels or free your cold pack. Cover it with a light cloth and hold it to your ear and the area around it for about twenty minutes. The cold will not hurt if you cover it lightly with a cloth. You can use hot and cold pack alternatively.

  1. Olive Oil

Using olive oil for ear pain is a folk remedy. There is not hard and fast scientific evidence to ascertain that it is going to soothe your ear canal. However, if you put a few warm drops of oil in your ear it is safe and can also be effective. It is necessary to make sure that the olive oil isn’t much warmer than the body temperature. Use a thermometer for measuring this. It will prevent the burning of your eardrum.

  1. Ear Drops

With eardrops, you can reduce pressure inside your ear that is caused by earwax and fluid. You will get them in local medicine shops or over the internet. Make sure that you read the direction carefully and consult a doctor before using them. These don’t substitute for antibiotics or prescription ear drops. Hence, you should use them just for a few days. In case the symptoms relapses, visit a doctor.

  1. Garlic

For a long time now, garlic is being used as a medicine for relieving pain. Studies have shown that it has anti-microbial properties which can be a treatment for infection. You shouldn’t use it as a substitute for the antibiotics that have been recommended by the doctor. Rather, add garlic to your regime of antibiotic for speeding up the process of recovery. If you have to avoid ear infection, have a clove of garlic every day. Garlic drops reduce pain and keep your ear infection from getting worse. To make the drop, cook 2-3 cloves of garlic in sesame or mustard oil till it turns brown in color and then strain the mixture. Apply 1-2 drop to each ear.

  1. Onions

Just as garlic, onion too can be used for fighting infection and reducing earache. However, onions and garlic aren’t a substitute for medical attention. To apply onion, heat it in a microwave and strain for one or two minutes. Thereafter strain the liquid. Now, apply few drops to your ear. After applying, lie down for ten minutes. Following this allow the liquid to come out of your ear. You can repeat this later on if required.

  1. Tea Tree Oil

This oil is known to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. You can apply the oil as ear drops for reducing ear pain. In case you are bothered about sensitivity, you can mix it with some olive oil.

Why does it hurt inside my ear?

A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics.

How long does ear pain last?

Most ear infections that affect the outer or middle ear are mild and go away within one to two weeks. Inner ear disorders can last longer. Chronic ear infections can last 6 weeks or more.

How do you soothe an earache?

How to treat earache yourself
  1. use painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (children under 16 should not take aspirin)
  2. place a warm or cold flannel on the ear.

Is Vicks good for earache?

You may have noticed online resources and bloggers touting Vicks as an effective treatment for earaches and other ear issues, including wax buildup. But does it work? In a word, no. While Vicks VapoRub may have some value in treating colds and muscle aches, there’s no evidence supporting its use for earaches.

What kills an ear infection?

Garlic oil

With antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, garlic oil ear drops can be applied to the ear canal to help kill bacteria or viruses that might be causing an ear infection. You can also soak crushed garlic cloves in warm olive oil to make your own garlic oil ear drops.

How do you open a blocked ear?

If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn’t work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.

How should you sleep with an ear infection?

Rest with your head on two or more pillows, so the affected ear is higher than the rest of your body. Or if the left ear has an infection, sleep on your right side. Less pressure = less ear pain.

How can I unclog my ear?

There are several techniques you can try to unclog or pop your ears:
  1. Swallowing. When you swallow, your muscles automatically work to open the Eustachian tube.
  2. Yawning.
  3. Valsalva maneuver.
  4. Toynbee maneuver.
  5. Applying a warm washcloth.
  6. Nasal decongestants.
  7. Nasal corticosteroids.
  8. Ventilation tubes.

How can I flush my ears at home?

Use an eyedropper to apply a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or hydrogen peroxide in your ear canal. Use warm water. After a day or two, when the wax is softened, use a rubber-bulb syringe to gently squirt warm water into your ear canal.

Will clogged ear go away by itself?

A clogged ear is usually temporary, with many people successfully self-treating with home remedies and OTC medications. Contact your doctor if your ears remain blocked after experimenting with different home remedies, especially if you have hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or pain.

How can I unblock my ears at home?

The following are some at home methods to help:
  1. Use steam. Steam can help unclog an ear when the cause is an infection or allergies.
  2. Consider mineral and essential oils. Many oils reportedly have antibiotic, antiseptic, or anti-inflammatory properties.
  3. Use a warm compress.
  4. Gargle salt water.

How long does a blocked ear last?

Ears that are clogged from water or air pressure may be resolved quickly. Infections and earwax buildup can take up to a week to clear up. In some circumstances, especially with a sinus infection that you’re having a hard time shaking, it can take longer than a week.

Why is one ear blocked?

This can be caused by a buildup of fluids, loud sounds, foreign objects in the ear, severe head trauma, severe changes in air pressure, and ear infections (see next section). A ruptured eardrum can make your ears even more vulnerable to infections which may further block eustachian tubes.

Why does my ear feel full?

When the Eustachian tube becomes clogged, you feel fullness and pressure in your ear. You might also experience muffled hearing and ear pain. These ear congestion symptoms can also be caused by problems in your middle ear or the ear canal that affects the eardrum (also called the tympanic membrane).

How do you unclog a eustachian tube?

You may be able to open the blocked tubes with a simple exercise. Close your mouth, hold your nose, and gently blow as if you are blowing your nose. Yawning and chewing gum also may help. You may hear or feel a “pop” when the tubes open to make the pressure equal between the inside and outside of your ears.

Will ear pressure go away?

When air pressure changes are responsible for ear barotrauma, it often goes away as soon as the air pressure outside has normalized, and should not cause any further symptoms. However, people may experience additional symptoms when ear barotrauma results from illness or a blockage in the middle ear.

Why does my ear feel full of water?

Although swimming is often the cause, you can get water trapped in your ear canal from any exposure to water. If this happens, you may feel a tickling sensation in your ear. This feeling may extend to your jawbone or throat. You may also not be able to hear as well or only hear muffled sounds.

Why do my ears itch and feel wet inside?

Itchy ears can sometimes be a sign of an ear infection. Bacteria and viruses cause them, usually when you have a cold, the flu, or allergies. One kind, swimmer’s ear, can happen when water stays in your ear after you swim. Too much moisture wears away your ear canal’s natural layer of defense against germs.