Home Remedies for Outer Ear Infection

Outer ear infections are also called otitis externa or swimmer's ear. Generally, the infection resides in the external ear and sometimes the ear canal. It is often caused by excessive exposure to water. The outer protective skin layer of the ear, when exposed to water repeatedly, begins to break and become soft. Once it is soft, fungi and other bacteria that normally cannot penetrate the protective layer, enter the skin of the ear and cause an outer ear infection.

Vinegar

• Both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar are useful for treating swimmer's ear. Several drops of white vinegar can be added to the ear and should remain within the ear canal for at least five minutes before flushing the ear (emptying it of the vinegar). This treatment should be applied one ear at a time, to both ears.

  Apple cider vinegar is also useful because it inhibits the growth of the bacteria that causes swimmer's ear. As soon as the ear is exposed to excess water or you feel the ear being clogged by water, you want to add several drops (between three and four) of a solution made with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water or alcohol. If you are already infected with swimmer's ear, add several drops of the same solution twice a day for a three-day period.

Baby Oil

• Baby oil is also a home remedy for an outer ear infection. Heat the baby oil so it is at a lukewarm temperature. Slowly pour the warm baby oil into the ear using an ear dropper. Place a cotton ball in the ear after the ear canal feels full of baby oil, so the oil must remain in the ear. Keep the oil in the ear for five minutes or until it begins to feel cool, then drain.

Hairdryer

• One simple and effective way to treat an outer ear infection caused by excess water (swimmer's ear) is to use a hairdryer to dry out the ear canal. Take a hairdryer and set it on low or warm. Aim the hairdryer at the affected ear, either immediately after exposure to water or when the ear begins to feel irritated as a result of infection. Pass the hairdryer back and forth over the ear. It will begin to cause the water within the ear canal that is causing the discomfort to evaporate. Do this for several moments to ensure that all water, which is breaking down the protective barrier in the ear, is removed.