Earaches come sudden to both children and adults. They may be due to infections or inflammation of the ear area. They are common and may have a variety of causes. Sometimes, they also include associated symptoms. Some of them are jaw pain, itching, sore throat or ringing in the year. You can use natural home remedies for most ear aches.
You should seek medical care if you also experience loss of hearing, ear drainage, fever and vertigo. For situations when you cannot leave the house, or the pain is too uncomfortable, use any of the below. These remedies are based on natural ingredients and which ease your pain gently.
1. Compresses
Warm compresses may be discomforting at times or it may have heated too much. While you wait for the compress to get cold, you can use another remedy. Wrap ice in a paper towel and hold it on your ear for 20 minutes. Alternate with warm compresses for a quicker effect. You can only use warm compresses for children if they find the hot ones unbearable.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer to heat up your ear and ease the pain. It also helps you recover quicker from the earache. This is extremely useful in absence of natural ingredients and when you’re in search for quick solutions. Take a shower and dry your hair and ears with a hair dryer for five minutes. Make sure you hold the dryer far enough from your ear. For more information about how applying heat and cold therapy and other home treatments can improve your condition read this article about earache remedies.
2. Exercise
Continuous earache may be due to pressure in the ear canal. There are exercises which you can perform to ease the pressure. Neck rotation exercises are beneficial and help you cure pain and its cause.
Begin by sitting straight up with your feet flat on the ground in front of a wall. Rotate your neck and head to the right slowly until it is parallel to the wall. Perform the same movement to the left. Then, slowly raise your shoulders high. Repeat these exercises as often as you can. You can distract your self and count to five while moving.
3. Peppermint
Peppermint may be a surprising home remedy for earache. It also boosts your mood and clears your respiratory tract while easing your pain. You can use fresh peppermint leaves or peppermint essential oils.
- Leaves: Smash the peppermint leaves well to extract their juice.
- Peppermint oil: Place a 3 – 5 drops on a Q-tip or a teaspoon.
Apply the peppermint juice around your ear. Use your finger and make sure that it doesn’t slip into the ear.
4. Massage
Massage is a gentle home remedy for jaw and ear ache. It also eases the sensation of ear infection by draining excess ear fluid. You can prevent pain worsening with a few minutes of smooth massage.
Massage the area behind the year and the jaw and neck muscles. Continue applying pressure down the neck and then press forward to the muscles in front of the ears.
5. Olive Oil
Essential oils and especially olive oil is a gentle and well-researched remedy for ear pain regardless of its cause. Olive oil is more of a natural alternative to over-the-counter ear drops. Also, it’s easy to apply. However, you should make sure the olive oil is cooler than your body’s temperature. Use a thermometer to avoid hurting your eardrum.
Warm a spoon of olive oil over the stove. Apply three drops in the affected ear with care. Wait a few minutes. You can repeat this operation two – three times daily until the pain cause disappears.
6. Garlic
Many of us know the benefits of garlic and probably search for it in the kitchen when we have a cold. Garlic is a natural antibiotic which is efficient in relieving pain and fighting microbes and bacteria.
Cook 2 – 3 garlic cloves in two tablespoons of sesame seed or mustard oil. Strain the mixture and apply 1 -2 drops into each ear. Alternatively, you can add a clove of garlic into your meals every day to prevent ear infection.
7. Castor Oil
Castor oil is common in most households due to its benefits for hair and nails. This natural oil can also quicken the healing process. Castor oil eases the pain while working on its cause thanks to its antifungal agents.
Slightly warm 3 – 5 drops of castor oil and apply them to the painful ear. Then, place a cotton ball against the year for up to five minutes. Remove the cotton ball and clean out the excess oil from the ear.
8. Ginger
The spicy ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which ease your pain and work on its cause. You can use ginger twice a day for maximum effects.
Grate fresh ginger until you have a teaspoon of powder. Add it to two tablespoons of olive oil and let it mix for 10 minutes. Then, just apply two drops into the affected ear using a dropper.
To Ear Health
Earache is above all consuming and may alter your plans for the day. You can ease the pain and even get rid of what causes it with natural ingredients from your home. However, you may also need to visit a medical specialist if the ache is too intense or also includes other symptoms.
Try these gentle and effective home remedies for immediate effects. Find any of the above into your home and follow the instructions to health!
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