Causes
Ear infection develops usually in the middle ear and it weakens the ear drum. When the mucus or fluid blocks the ear passage, infection occurs, and this affects the hearing sense. Ear infections can be triggered by genetics, upper respiratory problems, food allergies, internal injuries and nutritional deficiencies.
Common Symptoms
Infants and Children
Although ear infections cause severe pain, infants and children can’t recognize it. Some of the symptoms are:
- Unusual crying
- Tugging at ears
- Hearing problems
- Trouble sleeping
- Fussiness
- Fever
- Fluid drainage from the ear
- Fussiness
Adults
Several symptoms of ear infection in adults are:
- Terrible pain in ear
- Drainage
- Swelling of the middle ear
- Rupturing
Headache, high fever, diarrhea, vomiting and poor sound response are other symptoms that can appear in children and adults.
Possible Complications
If proper treatment is not used on time ear infection can cause many permanent changes in the ear and even on the bones around the ear. Complications that may occur:
- Constant drainage from a hole in the eardrum
- Hardening of the middle ear tissue
- Mastoid bone infection
- Damage to that part of the ear that assists in maintaining balance
- Face Paralysis
- Inflammation in or around the brain
- Cyst in the middle ear
Natural Home Remedies to Treat Ear Infection
How to defeat an ear infection? It is quite natural when you have health problems to visit a doctor. But some health conditions as an ear infection for example can be treated with natural remedies. Antibiotics can help immediately but often can have unwanted side-effects. Read bellow about several home remedies against ear infection which are natural and safe.
1. Heating Pad/ Warm Water Bottle
For immediate relief place a worm pad or water on the ear. Another option is to apply clean cloth previously soaked in worm water. This treatment shouldn’t last long. Keep the worm compresses for five minute at first, but if the pain is still there repeat the procedure.
2. Tea Tree Oil
This oil has healing and antibacterial properties and helps instantly with the ear pain. Make a mixture with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of colloidal silver. Warm this mixture slightly. Place the head on a towel leaving the infected ear ready for the treatment. Put the mixture into the ear with a help of a dropper and wait for 5 minutes. Then turn your head on the opposite side so the mixture will drain out. Make the treatment three times a day for positive results.
3. Garlic
Garlic is thought to have pain relieving and antimicrobial characteristics. Apply drops of garlic juice or fresh garlic oil in the infected ear. This will alleviate pain immediately. Make this treatment three times a day.
Or, put water and 2-3 garlic cloves in a pan and boil for 5 minutes. Add salt. Soak a clean cloth in the mixture and apply it on the painful ear.
You can also consume 2-3 fresh garlic cloves which will help in the healing process.
4. Mango Leaf Juice
Mango extracts are also effective against ear infections. Make a juice from two or three mango leaves which were previously grinded or crushed. After slightly warming the juice, apply 2-3 drops with a dropper in the infected ear and wait for a few minutes. Soon enough you will feel better. The ear infection will be defeated completely if you do this treatment three times a day.
5. Onion
Apart from being used in cooking, onion is used as a natural remedy as well. It is quite effective against ear infections. Chop a small onion and put it in a microwave for 1-2 minutes. After it is cooled make a juice and put 2-3 drops in the infected ear. Wait for a few minutes and then turn your head on the other side so the liquid would drain from the ear.
Another way is to bake the onion for 30 minutes and then cut it in two equal pieces. Take a cotton cloth and wrap one half of the onion in it and then apply on the ear for 5 minutes. If the pain is still there, repeat after 10 minutes.
6. Salt
You can find salt in every household and is best in treating ear infections. Put a cup of salt in a microwave for 5-6 minutes and then place the salt in a sock. With a rubber band tie the open part of the sock. Lie down with the infected ear on the sock. The warm sock will help in draining the liquid out of the ear. If you want to completely get rid of the pain repeat the treatment several times a day.
7. Basil
If you suffer from ear ache and infection basil leaves could help. Crush 4-5 basil leaves and make a juice. Around the affected area apply the juice. Do not put it in the ear.
Mixture from coconut oil and basil juice is also beneficial against ear infection. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it in the inner part, behind the ear and outer ear edge.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
If you have problems with fungus in the ear, apple cider vinegar is the right solution. Mix water and apple cider vinegar in equal portions. Alcohol can be used instead of water. Take a cotton ball, soak it in the mixture and place it in the ear for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes place the head on the other side so the liquid could come out of the ear. Use a hair dryer to dry the ear.
Instead of apple cider vinegar you can use white vinegar as well.
9. Breast Milk
It is proven that breastfeeding infants are less prone to infections than adults and normal children. That is why breast milk is thought to be effective against ear infections as well as against burns, minor cuts and eye infections. Breast milk reduces swelling and pain. In the infected ear put 2-3 drops of breast milk. If you want to get rid of ear pain completely, repeat the procedure every two hours.
10.Olive oil
We are all familiar with the fact that ear infection is caused by ear wax which triggers bacteria and fungus growth. In this way the ear channel is blocked. Olive oil can help in solving this problem. First warm some olive oil and then put several drops of the worm oil in the ear. It will soften the ear wax and it can be removed with the help of a cotton ball but be careful not to damage the eardrum.
Mustard oil is also great in treating ear infections.
11.Mullen oil
This plant is grown in several areas. If you want to use it against ear infection, boil ½ cup of water and then add a teaspoon of mullein flowers. Wait until it cools and then mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon mullein tea. Leave it overnight and then put one drop of this mixture in the painful ear. If you don’t have time to prepare mullein oil at home it can be found in stores.
Homeopathic Remedies for Ear Infection
Homeopathic remedies can be also beneficial against ear infections. Here you can read about some homeopathic remedies against ear infections.
Homeopathic Ear Drops
Easy to use, these drops are quite efficient in getting instant relief from earache.
Homeopathic Earache Tablets
Take these tablets orally to treat ear infection.
Belladonna
Use it when you have high fever together with severe earache after which the ear is red.
Pulsatilla
Use it when green or yellow discharge comes out of the ears and nose.
Hepar Sulphuris
It helps with severe earache and thick colored discharge.
Mercurius solubilis
Use it when you have extreme earache accompanied with secretion.
Chamomile
It is used in children with severe earache.
Dosage: use one dose and then wait. If the pain is completely gone, stop with the treatment. If not take the medicine again. The treatment should continue until the patient feels better.If the pain is still there after some time, consult a doctor.
Prevention Measures
- To avoid ear infections read about the following measures:
- Avoid smoking
- Get your child immunized with PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine).
- Wash your hands regularly to stop the spread of infection.
- Prevent the common cold
- Breastfeeding is best for infants, but, if you are feeding your baby with bottle, hold him/her upright.
