How to Get Rid of an Ear Infection

Ear infections can be quite painful and sometimes cause yellow or green puss to ooze out of an eardrum. While they can sometimes clear up on their own, the infections also can lead to permanent hearing loss. Always check with your doctor about the best treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotics
• Pain reliever
• Heating pad

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit your doctor to see if you need an antibiotic for your ear infection. There are two types he might give you: One is taken orally for seven to 10 days and the other comes in the form of drops that are dripped into your ear canal. The antibiotic will kill the bacteria causing the infection.

• 2

  Take a pain reliever to help you relax so that your body can work on healing itself. You can take two Tylenol every four hours or one Advil every six hours. Aspirin will also work, but not right for children or people with certain medical conditions. Consult with your doctor before taking aspirin.

• 3

  Place a heating pad over the ear that has the infection and keep it there for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. The heat will increase blood flow to the area so that your ear can naturally heal itself. It also will help decrease the pain.

• 4

  Use a corticosteroid as prescribed by a doctor. It will numb the area so that you do not have to suffer from the pain. It also reduces swelling so that your ear can heal faster. Put a few drops in the infected ear twice a day unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.