Ear Infection Remedy

Home remedies have become a popular treatment trend over the past decade, as more and more media reports are released about the dangers of medications and the long-term effects of antibiotics. Though it has been common practice to prescribe antibiotics as treatment for ear infections, in many cases, these are not needed and may only make the situation worse. Natural remedies may be just as effective and quite a bit safer. Always check with your doctor before making any treatment decision.

Understanding an Ear Infection

• Ear infections, though painful and miserable, typically heal on their own without requiring an antibiotic. There is also a specific requirement for a patient to be diagnosed with an ear infection: there must be fluid behind the eardrum. Many times, children and adults are diagnosed with an ear infection simply because they complain of pain caused by pressure from a stuffy nose, allergies, a reddened or inflamed eardrum and fever. These aren't an ear infection unless fluid is present.

The Purpose of Remedies

• Remedies serve a greater purpose than pain relief, although for any ear infection, this is the general goal of treatment. Remedies are a safer alternative to antibiotics, the typical course of treatment over the past few decades.

  According to Dr. Alan Greene and the American Academy of Pediatrics, every time a course of antibiotics is prescribed for a child or adult, future infections become more difficult to treat. This is because the human body builds a resistance to certain strains of antibiotics; this results in harsher, more expensive medications being needed to treat an ear infection that is frequently misdiagnosed. Treating the pain of an ear infection with home remedies may not only be just as, if not more, effective than using an antibiotic, it may also be safer.

Use Pain Relievers

• Consider over-the-counter pain relievers as the first remedy when treating an ear infection or earache. The best choices contain ibuprofen, as it can lower fever, reduce inflammation and relieve pain simultaneously. Acetaminophen is also an effective treatment and is in medications such as Tylenol. Both of these are available in doses for adults and children.

  Ear drops are another option. These contain an anesthetic that numbs the eardrum. Before using ear drops, be sure there is no fluid leaking from the infected ear. Leakage is a sign of a ruptured eardrum, and the drops may only make it worse.

Natural Oils

• Natural oils such as garlic, St. John's Wort and Mullein each have their own healing properties and may be an effective remedy for your ear infection.

  Garlic oil may kill any bacteria residing in the ear, which is responsible for the ear infection to begin with. You can either purchase this oil at your local health food store or make your own; dice three garlic cloves, cover with olive oil and allow them to soak over night. Strain in the morning and proceed by placing three to five drops of the oil in your infected ear. Keep your head tilted, allowing the oil to soak the the ear canal; repeat the process twice a day.

  Mullein oil helps relieve irritation inside the ear canal, which lessens pain. It is available in health food stores. To use, place two to three drops on a cotton ball and place inside the infected ear.

  St. John's Wort is an oil known for its healing properties and ability to relieve pain. Just as with the Mullein oil, place two to three drops onto a cotton ball and place inside the infected ear.