Earaches are a very common affliction, affecting men, women and children of all ages. Most people have experienced earache symptoms at some point or the other. At times, the ache could be brief, lasting for no more than a few minutes. However, there are some people who suffer from earaches for days or perhaps even weeks, altogether. The severity of the pain may differ from person to person, based on its causes. Some people may just ignore it and go about their day to day activities, allowing the pain to pass on its own. However, for others the pain may be so severe, they may need to seek earache relief in the form of home remedies or even medical treatment options. At times, the earache may be resolved with the help of simple home remedies, but in some cases, the cause of the pain may be complicated and antibiotics or even surgery may be required. There could be several factors that lead to an earache. Some of the most common causes of earaches in children and adults include infections, allergies, weather changes, the buildup of wax, atmospheric pressure and so on. It is also possible for chronic earache to be a symptom of an underlying ear condition, like otitis media.
What to do for earache relief?
In spite of the fact that an earache is such a common problem, it can lead to a lot of discomfort and can even interfere with their daily activities. Hence, most people look for information on how to get rid of an earache. It has been seen that most people prefer to first try simple home remedies for earache, which are believed to be quite effective and usually have fewer side effects, as compared to traditional medication. Given below are a few earache relief home remedies for children and adults:
Olive Oil
Many health experts advise people to pour a few drops of warm olive oil for earache into their affected ear for relief from earaches. Some people find it more convenient to dip a small ball of cotton into the warm olive oil and place the cotton on to the ear. However, this remedy is usually regarded as a short term solution for earaches.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most highly recommended home remedies for curing an earache, since it contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Moreover, this remedy can be used in a number of different ways. Warming a small amount of garlic oil and pouring a few drops into the affected ear should relieve the pain within a short while. Alternately, the oil can also be rubbed around the ear.
Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar as well as white vinegar can be very helpful when it comes to earache relief. It is best to mix one part of rubbing alcohol with three parts of vinegar (apple cider vinegar or white). A few drops of this solution should be poured into the ear canal, which should then be covered with a small piece of cotton, to prevent the liquid from pouring out. This remedy is the most effective in case the pain is a result of a swimmer's ear or water in the ear canal. In case apple cider vinegar is used, it is best to use the organic and unpasteurized variety.
Before opting to try out any of the above mentioned home remedies, it is best to get an approval from a doctor. There is a lot of information on earache symptoms and treatment, easily available through several resources like online websites. However, it is best for people to consult a doctor before trying out any home remedies for earache in infants, children or even adults.
answered by A S