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Ear Pain Relief

Ear pain or otalgia can be caused by multiple conditions. It is a common complaint for children and adults. Primary otalgia is pain that begins inside the ear, while referred otalgia originates from outside. Referred pain is responsible for more than 50 percent of reported ear discomfort cases. It is important to identify the cause of persistent ear pain. Other conditions, ranging from mild to serious, may be the cause. Home remedies and over-the-counter medication can provide relief from ear pain. Severe pain may require a doctor's visit and prescribed medication.

  1. Prescribed Medication for Ear Pain Relief

    • Doctor-prescribed medication to relieve ear pain is dependent on the cause. If you suffer from ear pain not due to an infection, the doctor may prescribe steroidal ear drops to reduce inflammation. The doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics, antibiotic or steroidal ear drops for treatment of ear pain due to infection.

    OTC Medication for Ear Pain Relief

    • Any pharmacy or supermarket sells over-the-counter medication for ear pain relief. You can purchase acetaminophen, ibuprofen or NSAIDs-based medication to alleviate the pain. There are also different brands of antiseptic ear drops that are available to provide fast relief. If you are not getting any ear pain relief after 24 hours, and the ear is swollen, schedule a doctor's visit to rule out an infection.

    Home Remedy Ear Pain Relief

    • There are quite a few popular home remedies for ear pain relief. First, you should sleep with the affected ear facing up to alleviate any pressure. One remedy is to extract the juice of ground holy basil leaves and place them inside the ear. Another is to apply crushed and boiled garlic cloves with a pinch of salt inside the ear canal. The antibiotic characteristics of garlic help to reduce inflammation that causes pain. Hydrogen peroxide placed in a dropper causes some relief. Warm up some mustard seed oil, cool it off and then filter the oil before adding to ears. As few as 4 to 5 drops in each ear will be effective in reducing pain.

    Ear Pain Preventive Measures

    • There is no definitive way to prevent ear pain. However, they are preventive measures you can take to reduce the incidence of it. Keep objects, including cotton swabs, out of the ear canal. Avoid constant exposure to second-hand smoke and noisy environments. Workers who are exposed to loud noise should use adequate ear protection daily. Be sure to wash hands thoroughly, and frequently especially during cold and flu season. Get treatment for allergies that may be an underlying cause of the ear pain.

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