Home Remedies for Ear Aches
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Ear Aches Home Remedies:
Submitted by Greg at 2009-08-27 14:32:00
BACKGROUND
I have been suffering for a few years from chronic outer ear infections due to itchy ears which I scratch with a qtip or scratch in my sleep at night. Going to the doctor to get prescription ear drops was getting very expensive so I did a lot of experimenting with home remedies for curing outer ear infections and stopping the itchy ear. I will first give what works, then my testing methodology and finally what did not work to save all of you experimenters a lot of time.
TREATMENT
First of all, if you have not had an ear infection before and aren’t familiar with the symptoms you should always go to the doctor first before trying any home remedy. Earaches can occur due to problems in the outer, middle and inner ear. Home remedies should only be used for outer infections and are not effective for the other two areas of the ear. Furthermore, if the ache is caused by a perforated eardrum, putting anything in your ear could cause severe pain sending you to an emergency room and do damage to your hearing.
Assuming you have an outer ear infection, what I recommend is the following: Begin by placing 4 to 5 drops of hydrogen peroxide 3% in the infected ear. Lay on your side for at least 10 minutes and let it bubble like crazy. Drain and add more if the bubbling decreases too quickly or bubbles out of the ear before the 10 minutes are up. Then drain. Even after draining you will hear bubbling for at least 10 more minutes. Hydrogen peroxide should not produce any significant pain. If it does, drain immediately and see a doctor ASAP. After draining and the bubbling has mostly subsided, dry the ear with a hair dryer holding it six inches from the ear. This first step with the hydrogen peroxide is done to quickly kill as much bacteria as possible for the purpose of reducing the inflammation and hence the aching pain. Even though hydrogen peroxide is good for killing a lot of bacteria quickly, it has also been shown to inhibit wound healing which is why you got the infection in the first place (probably from using qtips which is a common cause). So you should only do this step once in the beginning.
Now add 3 to 4 drops of “willow/garlic ear oil” made by “Herbs for Kids” (or use the other 2 suggested remedies below) into the ear wiggling it to make sure the oil sinks all the way in. Then place a cotton ball or tissue lightly on the outside of the ear to catch the oil as it drains. Also, take an Ibuprofan which is an anti-inflammatory. This will also reduce the pain caused by the swelling in the ear. You should be feeling relief within a few hours. If it still hurts the same in 24 hours see a doctor. Continue to apply the oil drops 3 to 4 times a day for 7 to10 days and that should do it. The oil is like a band-aid that prevents the bacteria from growing which, if left unchecked, would prevent the wound from healing. The 7 to 10 days gives the wound enough time to heal to a level where the ear canal naturally prevents bacteria from penetrating it. Also, try to keep water out of the ear during showering. I place a few drops of oil in the infected ear to set up a barrier to the water right before showering as a precaution.
To control the itchy ear, I place a few drops of just plain extra virgin olive oil in the offending ear. The itch will go away in a few minutes and the ear will be itch free for the rest of the day. I reapply oil if the itch returns.
HOW I CONDUCTED MY TESTING AND REACHED MY TREATMENT PLAN.
Exterior ear infections are mostly due to the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (I have done no testing regarding fungal infections). Both of these bacteria react to hydrogen peroxide. So, a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution was used to test for the presence of bacteria in the infected ear canal. This test was done for two prescription treatments for comparative purposes as well as for many various home remedy tests. Zero bubbling means no bacteria. Light bubbling (you can count the bubbles within the first five seconds) means there is some bacteria but it is insignificant. Medium bubbling is too fast to count but noticeably dissipates after 4 or 5 minutes. This indicates a reduced level of bacteria. Even a healthy ear can have this level of bacteria in the ear canal. So long as the canal is not compromised there should not be an infection. Heavy bubbling erupts immediately and sounds like a frothing volcano in your ear. It indicates a full-blown infection. A peroxide test was done about twice a day to measure the effectiveness of the treatment in question.
Cortisporan is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic eardrop by doctors. It consists of Neomycin Sulfate and Polymycin B sulfate as well as hydrocortisone for reducing inflammation. The treatment calls for 2 to 4 drops in the ear 3 to 4 times a day for 7 days. This treatment schedule was followed for all tests. Within 24 hours of the start of the cortisporan treatment, the peroxide test produced zero bubbles. The zero continued throughout the treatment. Not surprisingly, this was the most effective treatment.
Ofloxacin is another prescription eardrop. Within 24 hours the peroxide test produced light bubbling. By 48 hours it was zero. During the whole course of the treatment of 7 days the peroxide test would vacillate between mostly zero but occasional light bubbling.
OVER THE COUNTER HERBAL REMEDIES THAT SEEM EFFECTIVE.
1) As compared to the prescription ear drops, the best herbal treatment was the “Willow/Garlic Ear Oil” by “Herbs for Kids”. Within 24 hours the peroxide test produced light bubbling. Within 48 hours it was at zero to light. It vacillated between zero and light bubbling during the 7 day treatment but was mostly zero. This treatment was nearly equal to the Ofloxacin in effectiveness. Nor did the treatment cause pain. It is not too expensive. It costs about $10 for a 30ml bottle which is enough to do at least 4 full 7 day treatments. It also claims to have a pretty long shelf life.
2) The second best remedy was home made garlic oil. This was 6 medium sized fresh garlic cloves finely minced and added to 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a small pan. The olive oil must be extra virgin. The other olive oils are not as effective. Place over medium to medium high heat stirring until the garlic begins to sizzle. Let the garlic sizzle for 30 to 60 seconds. It may get brown but don’t burn it. Let cool. Then pour it into a basket type coffee filter and ring the oil through it like a tea bag into a clean glass. This removes all the bits of garlic. Within 24 hours of starting the treatment the bubbling test was medium to light. Within 48 hours it was light to zero. Within 72 hours it was zero. It vacillated between zero and light thereafter but was mostly zero. I have no idea of the shelf life but the oil remained effective throughout the 7 to 10 day treatment. It was not refrigerated.
3) Two home remedies tied for third. One was plain extra virgin olive oil and the other was ear drops made by “NutriBiotic” which consists of tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract. Within 24 hours the test produced medium bubbling. Within 48 hours both treatments got close to light bubbling but not quite. Even within 72 hours neither seemed to be able to break through to the light bubbling level. I would use these if you had no other options. These certainly have an antibiotic effect and would reduce or control the infection until you could use a more potent remedy.
FAILURES
For those of you who like to experiment, I have included my failures to save you the trouble, expense and risk to your ears. These Home Remedies were applied 3-4 times a day and either failed to reduce the bacterial infection, caused too much pain, or produced a middle ear infection.
1) Only Hydrogen peroxide 3%. (Failed to reduce over time. The bacteria seems re-grow to original level between each application)
2) Only Rubbing alcohol 70% (Burned too much. Stopped treatment.)
3) Oil removed from “Garlicforce” garlic tablets. (Burned too much. Stopped treatment.)
4) Oil removed from “Mustard seed” odor reduced garlic tablets. (Too thick. Wouldn’t drain. Got stuck in ear. Stopped treatment)
5) One clove of minced/mashed garlic to one tablespoon distilled water. Let sit for 15 minutes. Liquid strained by a coffee filter. (Failed to reduce over time. Burned the ear. Produced a middle ear infection)
6) One clove of minced/mashed garlic to one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Let sit for 15 minutes. Strained with a coffee filter. No heating. (It seemed to reduce the bacteria significantly in 24 hours but within 48 hours a middle ear infection developed. Stopped treatment.)
7) One teaspoon of over the counter Antibiotic cream containing Neomycin and Polymycin B sulfates mixed with 2 teaspoons of distilled water and 2 teaspoons of 70% rubbing alcohol. (Even this much diluted, the solution did not drain well from the ear. It also produced a middle ear infection.)
8) Minereal oil only. (Failed to reduce the infection.)
I hope this has been of some help to all of you. May the Lord grant you healthy ears soon!
rating: 9 (8 votes)
Submitted by Good Karma Man at 2009-09-17 01:01:28
I woke up with an ear infection today. The first thought that came to my mind is that I need to put hydrogen peroxide into my ear. The only problem was that we were all out of peroxide and my wife is very pregnant. (NOT feeling well enough to drive to the store)Instead of asking my wife to drive I decided to search on the internet for other home remedies. I will say there are a few absurd remedies people have posted. I am not sure if their humor is coming out or if they are being 'intentionally mean' but what they might not realize is....someone in the world, will be trusting enough to listen. For example: The guy who gives you a food recipe for your ear, or the guy who says' 'Just pee in your ear'. All that is just crazy!!! I have only heard of urine being used for athletes foot or a jelly fish sting....but never for an earache or ear infection. I got fed up and decided to drive to the store and buy hydrogen peroxide. You mix two parts peroxide to one part water, add it to a dropper, lay down on your side and add to the ear that is infected or aching. I add three drops. remember, the drops have to get passed two canals in your ear so you need to stay there holding your head still for between 5 and 20 minutes. (however long you can tolerate it for) Although a cotton ball might work (to squeeze out into the ear)I recommend a clean ear or eye dropper because you can get a little further with the dropper. Best wishes!!! Let me know how it goes.
-Christopher Bann
rating: 8 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2011-12-17 00:20:27
Hello there! I got online because I needed a quick home remedy for my little niece who is staying all night with us (she is 5). She was sick with a cough and possible sinus infection her momma said. Anyhow, went it was time to sleep I noticed here tossing and turning and then I heard her wimpering. I went over to her and she said her eye was hurting. I've never had kids or even a baby sibling, so I had no idea what to do. Mom always put peroxide in our ear for anything ear related. I tried that on a rag with a little water and rubbed her ear, and she said it felt better - but it only felt good for that short moment...
I saw her kicking again soon after and crying and wimpering and tossing relentlessly. I got online and seen the things about GARLIC. I also seen alot about WARM WASH-CLOTHS. I had a jar of that pre-chopped garlic that's jarred in it's own oils. I took the wash cloth and ran the tip of it under warm/hot, then dipped it in the garlic jar, then following with one swipe under the faucet again. I took it and rubbed it in her inner ear for about 60 seconds continually and drifted right off to sleep!! Try it!
rating: 8 (6 votes)
Submitted by Caitlin at 2012-02-28 16:14:38
Ear aches have been a pain for me my whole life, they ache, they hurt, they make you feel sore all over and more. my most recent attack of an ear ache rendered me nearly useless. I barely made it through work days and struggled at home doing anything, fortunately with a loving husband and some time I was able to over come the infection.
When at work I struggled, the pain was unbearable, I could barely see, my speech was off and getting through paperwork seemed impossible. Fortunately if you have a heating pad and a place you can be for a few minutes, then you can rid yourself or atleast dull the pain so you can survive a work day. Just place the heating pad over the infected ear and tilt your head so the ear is laying flat on the heating pad.
A similar remedy is used at home, what I found worked best for me was to be completely bundled up and have a heating pad under my ear that was infected. Another thing I used (since we were moving at the time and I had lost my heating pad)was a extremely hot towel, you can accomplish this by boiling water in a kettle or on the stove and putting the towel in this water. After completing that step just pull it out, drain it and depending on what you can handle either place flush to your skin OR place it under another thin towel while laying down.
Key Point: All these rememdies require either laying down or atleast tilting your head in the direction of the infection. Laying flat or on the opposite side will more than likely cause discomfort. Unfortunately if you are like me and can get double ear aches, I haven't found a way to clear up the discomfort on both sides other than to just switch sides until it's gone.
Hopefully this makes sense and can help folks out. [And as always, with any home remedies, make sure you are still going to your doctor if it gets really bad.]
rating: 8 (5 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-27 02:54:14
I constantly have horrible ear aches. The best thing that I have found that eases the pain and gives long lasting relief is sweet olive oil. A few drops in your ear and a cotton ball to absorb whatever might try to come back out works wonders. I have found this most effective if you can do it at night and sleep on your side opposite the ear that hurts.(So your ear is closest to the ceiling) Use a cotton swab in the morning to clean everything out and V'OILA!
rating: 8 (5 votes)
Submitted at 2011-12-27 16:18:19
YES, OIL!!!
BACKGROUND: Growing up in high altitude, I have had chronic ear problems most of my life that tend to just go away on their own and come back every now and then. This most recent time, it wasn't so much of an aching, rather just a 'fogginess' for lack of a better description. It didn't hurt, but it was incredibly bothersome and if you've ever had ear problems that lasted for more than a day or two, you know it is SUPER annoying!! SO, this last time, it was going on for about 2 weeks and I've been trying everything: heat, tiger balm, hydrogen peroxide, my trusty rubbing alcohol... but alas, my ear fog remained. Ugh.
REMEDY: So, on to Home Remedy #5..6?? OIL! I've learned from reading that really any sort of olive or tree oil will work (I used sweet olive oil), but OMG, did it WORK!! YAY!
Here's what your do (best if done just before bed):
1) HEAT THE OIL TO BODY TEMPURATURE (just place the SMALL bottle under your arm/between your legs/inside your hands, whatever is warmest on your body) until it is body tempurature and no longer cool to the touch (about 10-15 minutes).
2) USE AN EAR DROPPER: just excrete enough oil for ONLY 3-4 drops into the dropper.
3) LAY ON YOUR SIDE with the aching ear upward and place dropper all the way inside the ear canal and release the oil into your ear.
4) PUT A LITTLE OIL ON YOUR FINGERS and gently massage the part of your neck directly below your ear lobe down to your lymph nodes; the back/bottom of your ear; and the bottom of the external canal in a downward motion (remain lying down). Continue the massage until you begin to taste the VERY slight flavor of the oil in your mouth (this means it's draining!!) Finally, simply continue to lay there for a good 30-45+ minutes. You can then roll onto the other side and place a cotton ball/kleenex/papertowl/towl under your ear to catch any excess oil which will drain out of your ear.
RESULTS: I did this last night and by this morning--POOF! GONE. Total miracle! My ear is about 98%, so I will likely do this one more time tonight to completely drain any blockage that has built up.
On a side note: the most important tip I've learned is that no matter what sort of fluid you are putting in your ear (peroxide, alcohol, oil, etc) first always warm it to body tempurature! It not only soothes the aching, but the cold can be somewhat harmful or shocking, which can sometimes make it worse.
That's my two cents!
rating: 8 (5 votes)
Submitted at 2012-01-27 22:39:54
I am a firm believer in using a tiny drop of garlic infused olive oil into the ear when there is an earache. I recall my 18 month old son sobbing and tugging on his ear and not wanting to be put down. So I used a dropper and put a small amount of garlic oil in his ear. Within 5 minutes he was playing like nothing was wrong. I've seen others recommend an onion for earaches, and garlic and onions are in the same family so onions probably work too. And for older kids and adults a heating pad is a must for an earache. I got a bad earache when my twins were about 1 year old. It went from an earache to ruptured ear drum in about 2 hours. I used a heating pad, ibuprofen, and took a hot bath, but the ear pain was excruciating. Even more painful than laboring and delivering my twins! Unfortunately I didn't find out about the garlic infused olive oil until after that horrible experience.
rating: 8 (3 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-05 15:22:54
I had a bad swimmers ear my whole child life. I used half vinegar and half rubbing alcohol. Doesn't matter what kind of vinegar. I used Apple Cider Vinegar myself. I took an old eye dropper bottle and mixed the solution into it to use that to get the solution into my ear. Seemed to work great for me. Hope this is helpful to those that have minor ear aches or swimmers ear or even ear infections.
rating: 7 (2 votes)
Submitted at 2012-01-29 01:47:18
My 18 yr old son was complaining about his ear hurting, got him into the drs and his ear was totally occluded with ear wax. They flushed the ear with warm water, peroxide and baking soda took about 15 minutes to do one ear a large clump of wax came out that was the shape of the ear canal. He can hear now and pain is resolved.
rating: 7 (2 votes)
Submitted at 2009-12-17 20:54:40
my dad put a piece of newspaper ( once it was rolled into a spiral) in my ear, lit it on fire at the top, and put it out once halfway.
note if you try this
- please use common sense
- dont stick the pointy end of the spiral newspaper too far into ear
rating: 7 (5 votes)
Submitted by Nancy M. Thomasville, Ga at 2008-03-31 20:04:41
Use 3 drops of mineral oil in ear each night. For chronic ear aches use 1-3 drops in ear every night. Rotate doing one ear one night, and the other the next. Trust me I know ear infections, and this has worked better for me than any medicine or surgery!!
You can find mineral oil @ your local pharmacy for $5 or less, and it will last you a lifetime.
rating: 7 (7 votes)
Submitted by Sabrina at 2009-02-15 22:28:20
Olive Oil or Hydrogen Peroxide.
My grandma passed this on to my mom who passed it on to me. I'm 14 and I used to get terrible earaches and infections. They occurred almost every year. The problem was that when I would get out of the shower, my dad would use a q-tip to clean my ears out. Well, it compacted everything in my ear (dirt and all that crap) into a ball. My mom got really frustrated and used warm olive oil and/or hydrogen peroxide and put it in my ear. You let it soak in for a while and then put a kleenex/cotton ball up to your ear and flip your head over to drain it out. This works great! Also, if you get chronic earaches like I did, STOP USING Q-TIPS! This is most likely your problem... Unless, of course, you don't use them... These worked for me and my family, so I hope they work for you!
rating: 7 (2 votes)
Submitted by Gh0st13 at 2009-09-27 02:49:32
I was just looking to see some more ways to cure ear aches with out using antibiotics, because they dont work and are very harmful to your health and immune system. But I noticed no one posted any thing about build up. An ear infection can come in to effect if there is a build up of wax, witch stops the virus in side your mid ear.
A way to clear your ear right out. I have the Answer... If you put some Mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide in your ear and let it bubble for about 10 to 15 minutes, it Should soften the wax up. then you take a syringe with no tip on it, fill it with warm water. Put your head over and sink or bathtub and push the warm water in to your ear gentle but hard enough that it will go in and back out along with all the wax in there clearing the way so that a virus can get out after it enters.
rating: 6 (6 votes)
Submitted by Alex at 2012-04-21 01:12:02
I was writhing in the most intense pain of my life! And I've given birth WITHOUT an epidural! I used 'earache drops' which I think made the pressure worse, tylenol and even an Ativan! Then finally I heated a moist washcloth in the microwave until it was scalding! Laid on the couch, infected ear down on the hot washcloth and after maybe 15 minutes I felt and heard a pop then crackling and felt hot liquid running from my ear onto the cloth. I got queesy for a minute but the relief was INSTANT! It's still a, little achey but the pressure is GONE and it continues to run. Now I can go to sleep and let
the antibiotic finish the job in peace! I hope this helps someone! That pain was TORTURE.
rating: 6 (3 votes)
Submitted at 2012-04-24 04:06:20
my son was complaining all day about his ear was about to take him to the hospital when i rembered what mr grandma tidwell use to do a little blessed oil and my ear aches were gone. so i tried it on my son he was moaning in his sleep i grabbed the oil olive,and warmed it a little then put a few drops,he is now sleeping like a big baby.thanks god and thanks granny. o i see alot of others use the same remedie..
rating: 6 (3 votes)
Submitted by Shannon at 2010-01-22 17:42:46
My son had me up all night crying of an ear ache and it was like 3 in the morning and no pharmacies open in our area so I went online and look up remedies for ear aches and one suggested using olive oil. Well all I had available was canola oil so I gave it a try. I added a couple drops into the ear and to my amazement it actually worked!! Within minutes he was asleep, and I was so relieved.
rating: 6 (8 votes)
Submitted by Erica K at 2009-11-27 05:46:11
hydrogen peroxide. if you dont have an ear dropper, saak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and slowly squeeze it until you feel there is enough hydrogen peroxide in your ear.if you do have an ear dropper, just put a few drops in the affected ear. lay on the opposite ear[to keep the hydrogen peroxide in the aching ear], wait fifteen minutes, then drain the affected ear. i was worried at first about trying this, but then i did and although there is still slight pain, it was a pretty major earache and ill be able to sleep now. =]
rating: 6 (2 votes)
Submitted by Natasha K, at 2011-02-06 13:29:59
Our 3 year old daghter has had horrible ear aches for the last 3 months. We found a product at Whole Foods that is so simple compared to all of the postings I have read on this forum. It is called an Ear Ease Pain Reliever. It's just a small plastic cup that you fill with hot water and is designed to go around the ear. You fill it up and hold it to the ear and in about 6 minutes or so it opens up the eustachian tube, relieving the pressure. My husband recently used it on a flight to NY for work and he has also suffered from ear pain but mostly from flying. It kept his ears open on both the take off and landing. This thing is awesome!
rating: 6 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2012-01-15 16:26:20
Smoke some marijuana. It made the pain go away as soon as I finished
rating: 6 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-16 02:49:58
take one spoon full of sweet oil heat with a lighter for couple of seconds pure in ear cover with cotton ball drain aftyer 15 min
rating: 6 (6 votes)
Submitted by Hopeearsfeelbetter at 2011-05-30 02:40:45
Hello, ive had ear aches as long as I can remeber. As I got older my body adjusted to pain to where I dont feel any pain in my ears know. Ive battle recuring cyst in my inner ear due to poor drainage. But I can tell a few ways to ease and relieve the pain. 1. Make a heat pack of a sock and some uncooked rice. Heat it in microwave for no longer than 45 sec. Rice works better than hot wash cloths. It retains the heat longer and causes no extra moisture in ear. Second olive oil warmed does work. Dont drink from straws it causes more pain. And finale but not least once you feel a slight discomfort stay ahead of pain with tylenol, or motrin..
rating: 6 (6 votes)
Submitted at 2011-06-28 21:39:49
I've been hurting with an ear infection to the point where my teeth hurt and haven't slept in a couple days more than a couple hours. I had tried oil, alcohol, steam, warm rags and then someone give me this to try: Grind a clove and mix with vick's vapor rub, then dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and put clove mixture in the cooton ball and place in ear and rub the same mixture behind your ear. Within five minutes then pain was gone.
rating: 6 (6 votes)
Submitted by Christine B. at 2012-02-16 03:49:18
My daughter is 6 years old and woke up tonight complaining about an ear ache and when I was little I had a few so I felt her pain plus she my heart anyway when she hurts I hurt! So anyway I was reading through these and I noticed quite a few said garlic oil I didn't have any and one person said they didn't either all they had was canolia oil (said it worked for them)BUT I didn't have that either..Only had some vegetable oil so I gave it a shot and it worked dipped a cotton ball and squeezed in like 3drops and in a few minutes she was feeling much better!! Hope this helps someone!! Its is now 3:43am so back to bed we go!!! Thanks to everyone who posted you really helped us!
rating: 6 (5 votes)
Submitted at 2012-03-19 02:40:27
Olive oil warmed up in the microwave, will do the job will relief the pain in minutes. about three drops in each ear.
rating: 6 (5 votes)
Submitted by bethany at 2012-03-20 18:25:21
I've been on antibiotics for 3 days for my ear infection, but the pain is still so severe that even 800mg of Ibuprofin didn't dull the pain.
I put a little bit of vicks vapor rub on a q-tip and gently rubbed it just inside my ear canal, not too deep. I then took a hot pack and held it up to my ear for just about 2 minutes and the pain is gone! It actually feels cool and tingly now. :)
rating: 6 (5 votes)
Submitted by Nick82 at 2012-04-02 22:59:57
COLD COMPRESS WORKS!!!
Been awake for hours with earache, did a search online to find help and after trying hot compresses, vinagar and olive oil and garlic I still could not relieve the pain. Was about to give up and go to the doctor in the morning when I found my wife's cold compress for migranes in the fridge and decided to try it and thankfully it has worked, after about 20 mins lying with it against my ear I suddenly felt something move in my inside my ear and my earache has gone. Ive still got a bit of pain in jaw but now I feel I can go and get some sleep.
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted by markw at 2010-04-02 21:57:38
Was up for 2 hours with ear pain. Decided to sleep on my side with my hand under my ear in such a way that the pressure was altered inside my ear. If there is fluid in the inner ear, there is (I would assume) too much pressure against the eardrum, causing pain.
If you change the pressure in your ear, you can sense the difference...you may hear your heartbeat for example.
When I woke the pain was almost completely gone.
This does not seem to cure the underlying infection.
rating: 5 (2 votes)
Submitted by Priscilla at 2010-12-15 17:21:07
For earache that you think is infection
apply to skin behind the ear some olive oil with couple drops of oregano oil. Rub it in behind the ear. Works wonders. Also dip q tip in peroxide and clean each of your ears.
former RN
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted at 2011-04-14 03:15:54
As the mother of a 3 yr old who has not slept all night because of her ear hurting, and lack of all the oils, my only choice was to try the urine in her ear. Yes it sounds gross but I caught her urine midstream and placed a few drops in her ear and 5 minutes later she is finally sleeping! Thank you for the idea!
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by Nic at 2007-12-14 16:48:16
Use a hot water bottle in a cover or wrapped in a towel. My four year old is using one in its furry cover as a pillow to relieve her ear ache. Same concept as rice in a sock but much more comfortable to lie on in bed.
rating: 5 (5 votes)
Submitted by Liana at 2011-02-17 21:21:53
So I've had an earache for the past two weeks. And I don't want to go to the doctors because it's 45 minutes away. So I've been dealing with the pain. But it got so bad that I looked up some remedies. And I know this sounds odd, but it worked!! What you do is take one tablespoon of vinegar, and one tablespoon of vodka ( or any liquor ) and combine them. Then microwave it for like 5 seconds. And put that in you ear. I know it smells terrible but it relieves the pain like inatantly!!
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Bobby B. at 2011-03-27 15:15:53
I've used a product called the Ear Ease for over 10 years every time I fly. It's a hot water contianer you hold to your ear for a few minutes and it opens your ear. My wife got one years ago from the nurse at our daughters school when she had chronic ear pain. I just got another one on line at their web site.
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-20 22:55:25
I'm 22. I haven't had ear aches since i was 8 or 9 years old. I would get swimmers ear all the time, i even had to have surgery to get tube's but in my ears. Today after swimming i had the worse ear pain you coukld imagine. On a scale of 1-10 it was an 11. I put two drops of vinager in my ear,drained, then laid on a heat pad. Pain was gone in 10mins. GOOD LUCK.
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by amber at 2010-07-17 02:09:50
warm olive oil
rating: 5 (2 votes)
Submitted by t.j. at 2012-04-18 23:28:12
did you know that if you leave rubbing alcohol in your ear it will completely clean your ear out and your ear wont ache anymore this is my total fav remedy!!!
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted by Julie at 2011-04-14 05:54:56
My 16 year old son had a bad ear infection which he was on antibiotics for. Last night he developed severe earache where he was almost crying out with the pain, he couldn't even lie down. It was 1.30am and I had given him co-codomol and ibuprofen to no avail. I read online about using mouthwash, yes mouthwash! I dipped cotton wool in some mouthwash and gently placed it in his ear. Within ten minutes the pain had gone and he was able to lie down and sleep for the remainder of the night! Just amazing, don't know how it works (maybe the alcohol), but it worked!
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Amy's Ears at 2010-08-05 16:09:54
I have suffered from one long ear infection for the past 10 years. Yes years. Itching and burning and smelly discharge. I've seen several docs over two states and tried all sorts of drops/cream/ear plugs so water doesn't get it. etc. Nothing worked. So I just live with the itching and discharge. Periodically I'll clean them out with a Hydrogen peroxide/water solution or just straight hydrogen peroxide. It's best if you dilute it though. Anyway the other day I was traveling by car and the changes in elevation bothered me. Next day, full blown ear ache. I used the peroxide solution. It hurt and itched like mad, probably because of the constant itching with my pinky nail scratches my inner ear. Still sometimes that makes the swelling go down if it flares up, but not this time, and it was getting worse. So I heat packed it with a homemade rice pack (got the idea here). I did that for a while and also did the vinegar/water solution. It seemed to relieve some pain, but the situation worsened. My lymph nodes are swollen from just under my ear, down my neck to my clavicle, and it hurts. Someone noted here, that vinegar will worsen the situation if it's NOT a fungus, but IS a bacteria. I'm thinking I've got a bacteria. Also, another person mentioned not to use heat...I switched to ice this morning. So we will see. I am headed to the doctor today to get some antibiotics. I'm glad I have some flora on hand to take as well. At this point I don't know what to do other than that. Antibiotics and other remedies have not cleared up the itching problem in past. This seems to be a problem above and beyond that. If the itching remains after the doc treatment for the nodes, I plan to give the vinegar/water solution another shot, as well as the olive oil/garlic/onion combo, that sounds really soothing. I'll post an update if I need to try it, and if it helps or not. Off to the doctor I go.
rating: 4 (5 votes)
Submitted by alfonso garcia at 2010-01-25 22:08:01
when my little brother had an ear ache i used alcohol to calm the ache.
here are directions: you take a cotton ball and weat a little alcohol and place in ear and should stop the pain
rating: 4 (2 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-07 09:29:00
wow after so many remedy's that i have read i decided to go with the one with a old rag and boiling water. although i will try without the rag. also i have been eating chips lol and yes i still hear the popping noise, but i find it is helping yes i know i only have a small infection and since reading about what some of the damages that certain things can do the the ear. i will stick with the steam in the ear hope this works for you. i just did the steam and i have found some relief so i recommend to eat chips and boil water in a cup place the cup to the ear and wait a little while . repeat thought the day if necessary thank you so much
rating: 4 (2 votes)
Submitted by Rebekah at 2011-04-07 00:34:28
i woke up with a terrible ear ache the other morning. i needed immediate relief from the pain. i had some otc ear drops and they didn't seem to be helping with the pain so i took two ibuprofen and got a sock and filled it about half way with dry pinto beans, tied it and heated in the microwave for about 45 seconds. placed it over my ear and went right back to sleep. it relieved the pain very quickly. the beans stay heated a lot longer than a wet rag.
rating: 4 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2011-04-11 13:48:01
An Ear Nose and Throat Doctor gave me this remedy when he saw me as a patient late in the afternoon and the Pharmacy was closed and could not fill my perscription.
Mix equal parts of clear White Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol. Warm it if needed or use right out of the bottle. Coming from the South and having children that swam a lot ear aches were common in the children. Anyone I have told to do this has come back to me letting me know it works.
rating: 4 (6 votes)
Submitted by lisa g at 2012-03-10 22:29:16
My 3 year old grandson woke up crying and saying his hear hurt so I read some of the remedies on here and followed this one...Warm wet wash rag in microwave for 20 seconds then folded dry one around it. First putting 1 drop of vinegar in ear which made him cry harder for only about 5 seconds, I then put the wrapped rag against his ear. Within a few minutes he was resting peacefully.
rating: 4 (4 votes)
Submitted by Maktown at 2010-09-18 16:03:04
I had an ear ache and felt like I was going deaf in one ear. The pain/deafness lasted for about 2 days before I started getting really worried. I have no insurance or $ to go to the Docs. I thought it might be swimmers ear which would've been bad because THOSE meds are EXPENSIVE! First I tried cleaning out my ears completely by laying my head sideways and pouring Hydrogen Peroxide in it and sitting for about 5 mins. THIS DIDN'T WORK
I read about an HERB that helps: GINGKO BILOBA... I found it at Wal-Mart in the health food/ herbal section. I took 1 pill of this WONDERFUL herb and the pain went away COMPLETELY within an hour!!! My hearing was back to normal as well.
From what I've read, ear aches and pain are related to not having enough blood flow to your ear(s). Gingko Biloba speeds up your blood flow (Don't worry it's not like 'speed' haha) and makes your overall blood flow better.
YAY for GINGKIO BILOBA!!!
rating: 3 (8 votes)
Submitted by Tina at 2007-08-17 16:42:45
This worked out beautifully when I had really bad swimmer's ear a couple summers ago, THIS IS FOR PAIN RELIEF NOT FOR CURING
Heat olive oil until warm put some on a Qtip and rub around in ear
If this fails take a blow dryer, put it on low and blow into ear it feels so good!
rating: 3 (6 votes)
Submitted by Elizabeth at 2009-08-14 14:14:41
Right after you swim, put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear. Let it sit for about 30 seconds and then drain out. Repeat with the other ear. This helps get water out and prevent an ear infection.
rating: 3 (3 votes)
Submitted by common law remedy at 2010-12-15 00:03:20
Get a half of tsp of baby oil and heat it over an open flame until it is slightly warm. Then pour it into the ear and cover it with a cotton ball and let it sit for 10 to 15 mins.
rating: 3 (7 votes)
Submitted by Sass at 2010-11-20 11:14:59
My sister is obsessed with Natural Healing, NEVER sick, she never goes to the hospital, she's always getting me to try Natural/Organic ways.
So, when I started developing reacuring Severe Ear-Infections, I asked her what would be good for this. She said 'Heat up Olive oil in a clean pan, break apart a fresh clove of Garlic, Grab some guaze and tape. dip a piece of garlic into the warm olive oil, put it into your ear, cover it with gauze and tape it over your ear tightly.' I kept this in overnight, it pulled all of the infection out of my ear. Amazing!!!
rating: 3 (9 votes)
Submitted by Andi at 2010-06-23 11:46:33
I've had ear infections my whole life. I've used home remedies, and also had to see a doctor as my ear infections can get rather serious. When I was younger, a teaspoon of warmed sweet oil (really any oil may work) into the ear covered with a warm damp compress while lying on the opposite ear usually worked the best.
The best advice a doctor gave me was to clean my ears now and then with hydrogen peroxide especially when I think I may be getting another infection. His directions, pour a cap-full into my ear, lying on the opposite ear, let it bubble like crazy for about 10 minutes no matter how badly it bothered me, drain and repeat. He stressed to very gently rinse out the peroxide using a baby bulb and warm water, not actually sticking the bulb into my ear. Then, dampen a Q-tip with vinegar and swab the inside of my ear.
After loosing hearing in my right ear for a month, this did the trick immediately and a large piece of wax came out of my ear. He explained that the peroxide helps breaks everything up and the vinegar helps to stop mold/mildew growth due to excessive moisture in the ears. He said to do this after swimming or any other time I get water in my ears.
rating: 3 (2 votes)
Submitted at 2008-12-12 08:14:14
Find some one who smokes cigarettes and have them blow the smoke into there ear that has the ache and it will go away immintally i do it all the time for my sister. It works great.
rating: 3 (6 votes)
Submitted at 2010-05-04 14:02:53
Home Remedies for Earache
1. One of the well liked home remedy for earache is to grind a few Holy basil leaves and extract some juice. Put 2 drops inside the ear.
2. Put 2-3 drops of vinegar in ear, and get some paper towels or a rag and wet them with almoast sclding hot water and hold againt and around the ear until pain stops (should take about 3 min).
3. Pour some garlic juice in the aching ear. Its antibiotic characteristics help to reduce the pain.
4. If your earache has rises in elevation then just chew gum. This will contract the muscles and open the eustachian tube.
5. Another fine home remedy for earache is to put few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the aching ear.
6. Ginger is an excellent natural painkiller. Extract juice of some ginger and put into each ear. This will heal the earache in most cases.
7. Take out the juice of the tender leaves of a mango and make it a little warm. Put four drops in both ear as this helps in the treatment of earaches. One of the fine home remedies for earache.
8. Put some seeds of the fenugreek in any kind of oil; mustard and linseed oils are the finest. Then warm this to some extent. After that, cool and then filter the oil and put it in each ear. About four to five drops of the oil in each ear will helps in eliminating the pain completely.
9. Add half a clove of garlic in a teaspoonful of sesame oil and heat it on a flame till it becomes a little hot. Put four drops of the oil in the one ear and stay on this side for ten minutes. Then turn over and put the oil in the second ear also. Stay on this side too for ten minutes.
10. Mix drops each of garlic oil, grapefruit seed extract, and eucalyptus essential oil. Put in ears with a dropper several times daily.
11. Extract the juice fo an onion, warm it a little and then put 4 drops in each ear.
12. Effective earache remedy is to chop a radish into tiny pieces. Put these in mustard oil and warm it. Then put this oil in a glass bottle. When there is pain in the ears, put a couple of drops in each ear, brings quick relief.
rating: 2 (2 votes)
Submitted by Alja¾ at 2010-11-10 13:38:32
hey i put vinegar, 100%lemon juice, alcohol and nothing helped against my ear infection. then i deicded to eat raw onion and garlic, and lots of it. i even cooked the rest of the onion i couldnt eat raw and drank the water and ate the cooked rest of the onion. this cleared up my infection in 2days. After the first night of eating both i felt almost no pain on pressure. Over the 2nd night the whole infection dissapeared but i still feel something is inside. It is probably the remaining ear wax.
''In test tube studies garlic has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity.'' from wiki
rating: 1 (5 votes)
Submitted by christina at 2011-07-25 03:15:51
use a saline solution u can find recipies online but also see a doctor to get more long term medication
rating: 1 (2 votes)
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