|  | Conditions Treatments | Ears Hearing

Home Remedies for an Ear Ache

Earaches are the result of clogs in the eustachian tubes in the middle ear. The blockages are frequently caused by colds, constant exposure to loud sounds, air pressure changes and wax buildup in the ear. Although people of all ages get earaches, infants and children seem to suffer from them the most because the angle of their eustachian tubes allows bacteria to easily travel from the nose to the middle ear. Earaches caused by an infection are usually treated by doctor-prescribed antibiotics, but if you're unable to get to a doctor right away, try one of these home remedies.

  1. Liquid Drops

    • Earaches are usually treated by applying medicine in liquid form directly into the ear canal. For home remedy application, a small bottle with a squeeze dropper is a good way to distribute the medication without making a mess or wasting it. Droppers can be purchased in the home and beauty section of most stores such as Wal-Mart.

      Sesame seed oil is a commonly used home remedy for earaches. Pour 1 teaspoon of sesame seed oil into a small bowl or container. Add in half a clove of garlic and heat the ingredients in the microwave for no more than 10 seconds, or until the oil is slightly warm. Remove the garlic clove and pour the oil into a small bottle. Screw on the squeeze dropper and administer four to five drops of oil into each ear. Allow the oil to take effect by waiting 10 minutes before placing drops of oil in the other ear. Use this treatment two times a day for three days or until the earache subsides.

      Diluted lime juice also can be used to ease an earache. Dilute 1 teaspoon of lime juice with 1 teaspoon of water and heat the mixture in the microwave until it is slightly warm. Pour the diluted lime juice into your dropper bottle and add two drops to each ear twice each day.

    Heat

    • Heat, which is helpful in soothing many painful ailments like backaches and menstrual cramps, can also be used to ease earaches. Place an empty plate into the microwave and heat it until it is hot. Wrap a regular towel around the plate and place it against your ear to help relieve the pain.

      A warm, moist towel also works for ear pain. Submerge a towel in hot water and wring it out thoroughly. Fold the towel and put it directly on your ear. The heat from the towel will leave rather quickly, so dip it in hot water frequently to maintain constant heat application.

Ears Hearing - Related Articles