The Best Home Remedy for Ear Congestion & Pain

Earaches can be a very painful condition. They are caused by a number of problems including sinus congestion, bacterial infection, too much pressure in the ear and injury. Children can get earaches frequently because their eustachian tube, the tube that connects the back portion of the throat to the middle ear, is not always able to equalize pressure correctly yet. If you or your child develops an earache, there are home remedies you can try to relieve pain, congestion and pressure.

Congestion

• Congestion due to sinus trouble or allergies can create a lot of ear pain. Clearing out the sinuses can help relieve ear pain. Sinus cleanses are a good way to get mucus that has collected in the sinuses out. Sinus cleansers help shrink the inflamed membrane that may be preventing proper drainage. When the sinus tissues become inflamed and prevent drainage, the drainage can back up into the ear. If there is a sinus infection, the infection can also spread to the ears.

  Most sinus cleansers use a simple, natural ingredient called saline. Normal saline works to flush out the sinuses and shrink swollen membranes.

  If your ears are blocked by wax build-up, this can cause ear pressure and pain. You can remove the wax at home by warming a little baby oil. With one ear lying on a table and the other pointed up, drop a couple of drops of the warm oil into the ear. Give the oil a few minutes to melt the wax, then tilt your downward to let the wax drain. It may take a couple of treatments, especially if there is a lot of wax.

Eustachian Tube Pressure

• Compresses are a good way to relieve pain in the ear. The compresses can be cool or warm; this strictly depends on preference. Wet a cloth and either cool it off in the freezer for a few minutes or warm it with warm water. Hold the compress to the outer ear only, for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat this treatment as often as you need.

  Pressure buildup due to barometric changes can happen on an airplane, a long ride in an elevator, climbing a mountain or scuba diving. On an airplane, the cabin changes pressure a couple of times, primarily when the plane takes off and lands. This can cause pressure buildup in the eustachian tube due to the eustachian tube getting pulled inward very tight. A vacuum effect is created in the ear and creates pain. Unless the pressure is cleared, the pressure will continue to build, and the ear will continue to hurt.

  Swallowing is a great way to open the eustachian tube. On an airplane, in order to create a continual swallowing pattern, Chew gum or sucking on a piece of candy. You can also drink fluids regularly. For children, have them suck on a lollipop or drink from their bottle.

Infections

• Otitis media, infection of the middle ear, can cause a lot of pain for adults and children. There are home remedies that can help get rid of fluid trapped in the middle ear due to the infection and help clear up the infection.

  Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Put a few drops of garlic juice in a small amount of sesame oil and warm it up. Put a couple of drops in the affected ear a couple of times a day to help clear up the infection.

  Use a blow dryer on warm approximately 12-15 inches from your head. This will help remove fluid that may be trapped in the eustachian tube due to infection.

  Colloidal silver is considered to have natural antibiotic properties. Washing your ear using colloidal silver helps kill the bad bacteria that are causing the infection, unlike antibiotics, which kill good and bad bacteria.

  You can also try warming 1 tsp. mango leaf juice and dropping it, drop by drop, into the affected ear.