How to Get Rid of an Earache

Earaches are common maladies experienced by children and adults. In children, earaches may be caused by ear infections. In adults, common causes of ear pain include excess ear wax, sinus congestion and soreness from sleeping on the ear. In most cases, ear pain will resolve on its own within three days. There are some steps you can take to hasten your recovery and to get rid of an earache.

Things You'll Need

• Warm compresses
• Olive or coconut oil
• Garlic
• Pain reliever

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply heat to your ear. Do this by using a hot water bottle, warm washcloth, hair dryer or a heating pad. Heat can soothe your ear and can help break up congestion and sinus pressure.

• 2

  Put a few drops of warm oil into your sore ear. This may break up excess wax. The best oils to use are olive and coconut oil. Do not make the oil too hot, and do not do this if you have any discharge from your ear. Or use garlic oil. Crush a clove of garlic and put it in a small amount of olive oil. Let sit for a few hours, then put it into your sore ear.

• 3

  Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol or Advil. These can reduce inflammation and give you several hours' worth of relief.

• 4

  See your doctor if several days pass, and your earache does not go away. You may need an antibiotic, if you have an ear infection that is not resolving on its own.