Acetic Acid Non Aqueous Ear Drop Recipes

If you have ever suffered from swimmer's ear you know how painful it can be. Moisture stays in the ear canal and provides a place for bacteria to thrive, causing infection. At the first sign of irritation, you will want to take action to avoid the severe pain that can come if it's untreated. Acetic acid is a commonly prescribed remedy for ear pain. The most available source of acetic acid is ordinary white or apple cider vinegar.

Vinegar

• This fermented liquid has been attributed with the ability to cure everything from obesity to fungal infection, but it is a good thing to put in your ears if they're hurt or infected. One suggested recipe is to mix equal parts vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a dropper bottle (recipezaar.com).
  You might want to mix your vinegar with oil rather than alcohol. Mineral oil, or sweet oil, has been used traditionally for ear pain. Put a few drops of vinegar in the ear, then drop in a little oil. Keep your head tilted until the mixture is absorbed. Practitioners of ayurveda (an Indian health discipline) advocate dropping oil in the ears periodically to keep them soothed and lubricated to avoid infection.
  The U.S. military also has a recipe for ear drops made with acetic acid (see Reference).

Warnings

• Do not drop anything into your ears if you suspect that your eardrum is ruptured. Consult your health care provider if your pain is not relieved using the drops.