Australian Healthy - What is an ear infection? Ear is one of the most delicate sense organs. If it is not cared properly, it may cause several problems, including ear infection. Ear infection is a very common problem, diagnosed in infants and children. Even it is common in adults, now-a-days. The general term used for ear infection is “Otitis Media” or chronic ear infection.
Very few people know about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of an ear infection. If we suffer with an ear pain, we always try to sort out a quick remedy to overcome it. Before going through the series of home remedies, let us understand the symptoms and causes of an ear infection.
Symptoms and Causes of an Ear Infection.
Causes
Ear infection mainly occurs in the middle part of the ear. Ear drum gets weak due to the infection of the middle part of the ear. It is caused when the ear is blocked by the mucus or fluid behind the ear drum. This affects the hearing sense of an individual. Ear infections are also caused by food allergies, upper respiratory problems, environmental allergies, genetics, internal injuries, and nutritional deficiencies.
Common Symptoms
Infants and Children
Ear infections are very painful. The infant or children can’t express their pain in the ears. But, the common things to be noticed are as follows:
Fever
Tugging at ears
Trouble sleeping
Fluid drainage from the ear
Fussiness
Unusual crying
Hearing problems
Adults
A few symptoms of ear infection in adults are:
Drainage
Rupturing
Swelling of the middle ear
Terrible pain in ear
Apart from these symptoms, high fever, headache, vomiting, poor sound response and diarrhoea are generally seen in adults and children.
Possible Complications of an Ear Infection
Ear infection may result in various permanent changes in the ear and to the nearby bones if proper treatment is not taken on time. Some of the possible complications include:
Very few people know about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of an ear infection. If we suffer with an ear pain, we always try to sort out a quick remedy to overcome it. Before going through the series of home remedies, let us understand the symptoms and causes of an ear infection.
Symptoms and Causes of an Ear Infection.
Causes
Common Symptoms
Infants and Children
Ear infections are very painful. The infant or children can’t express their pain in the ears. But, the common things to be noticed are as follows:
Fever
Tugging at ears
Trouble sleeping
Fluid drainage from the ear
Fussiness
Unusual crying
Hearing problems
Adults
A few symptoms of ear infection in adults are:
Drainage
Rupturing
Swelling of the middle ear
Terrible pain in ear
Apart from these symptoms, high fever, headache, vomiting, poor sound response and diarrhoea are generally seen in adults and children.
Possible Complications of an Ear Infection
Ear infection may result in various permanent changes in the ear and to the nearby bones if proper treatment is not taken on time. Some of the possible complications include:
- Cyst in the middle ear
- Hardening of the middle ear tissue
- Mastoid bone infection
- Damage to that portion of the ear that assists in maintaining balance
- Paralysis of the face
- Inflammation in or around the brain
- Ongoing drainage from a hole in the eardrum
Top 10 Natural Ways For an Ear Infection
It is important to consult a doctor, but for immediate relief you can try some natural treatments. There are many time-honored, simple and easy home remedies that can help to get rid of the pain and other symptoms of an ear infection ;
1. Onion
The warmth of a fresh onion poultice is said to provide comfort and assist with circulation. Onion is also believed to have antibacterial and antiviral properties, which may be helpful depending on the reason for the discomfort.
This article explains how to make the poultice:
“Use one brown or yellow onion, chopped in half. Bake it face down on the oven rack at 350 degrees until you can just start to smell the onion, and it’s just beginning to recede. You want it to be just hot enough that you won’t burn the ears – test by touching as you would formula. Have the person lie down on their back with their head supported by a pillow. Place the onions over the ears like ear muffs, and then wrap them completely using a natural cloth such as a 100% cotton towel, or 100% wool scarf. You do NOT want to have the chemical fumes from an acrylic fabric going into the ear canal. What you are doing is wrapping the top of the head, covering the onions, and then keeping it sealed by wrapping it loosely around the neck. This is why a wool scarf (if you or they are not allergic) works really well. Leave on for about 10 – 15 minutes, or until onion cools. Repeat again as needed.”
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is the best solution for removing fungus from the ear. Prepare a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, taking both in equal quantity. You can also use alcohol in place of water. Take a cotton ball and soak it in the solution. Put the soaked cotton ball in the ear for almost five minutes. Now, remove the cotton ball and lay down on the opposite side to flush out the solution from the ear. To dry the ear, you can use a hair dryer.
White vinegar can also be used in place of apple cider vinegar.
3. Salt
Salt is probably the most readily available home remedy.
- Heat up one cup of salt on a pan over low heat for a few minutes. You can also heat it in a microwave or double-boiler.
- Place the hot salt on a cloth and seal the open end with rubber band (or tie a knot).
- When it is bearably hot, lay down and put the cloth on the affected ear for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Repeat this remedy daily as many times as needed. The heat generated from the sock will help draw out fluid from the ear and relieve swelling and pain.
- As an alternative, you can use one cup of rice in the same manner described above.
4. Garlic
Garlic has antimicrobial properties and natural pain relieving qualities, making it highly effective in the treatment of ear infections. There are a few ways to use garlic as a home treatment.
- Make garlic oil by cooking two garlic cloves in two tablespoons of sesame oil or mustard oil until it turns blackish. Strain the solution. When it is bearably hot, use two to four drops of this oil in the infected ear as ear drops.
- Alternatively, you can also boil two or three fresh garlic cloves in water for five minutes, then crush them and add some salt. Put the mixture in a clean cloth and place it against the affected ear.
- Consuming two to three cloves of raw garlic daily also helps speed up the healing process.
5. Breast Milk
Breastfeeding infants have very fewer infections than a normal child or adult. Breast milk is considered as the best remedy for curing any type of ear infection. It is also used for treating eye infections, minor cuts, wounds or burns.
It has natural antibodies, which lessen swelling and pain. With the help of dropper, put 2-3 drops of breast milk in the infected ear. If the process is repeated after every two hours, ear infection will surely get cured.
6. Olive Oil
As we all know, ear infection is mainly caused due to the deposits of wax in the ear, which results in germination of bacteria and fungus. This ultimately blocks the ear. Olive oil is one of the best solutions to this problem.
Warm some olive oil. After warming, put some drops of warm oil into the infected ear. Olive oil will help in softening the wax. The wax can be removed safely with the help of a cotton bud. Don’t put the bud too far in the ear; otherwise, it may damage your eardrum.
Mustard oil can also be used to treat the ear infection.
7. Tea Tree Oil
The mild antibacterial properties present in tea tree oil can give instant relief from earache. To treat an ear infection, follow the steps below.
- Mix three drops of tea tree oil, two tablespoons of olive oil, a teaspoon of colloidal silver and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Warm the mixture slightly.
- Lay on your side with your head on a towel. Using a dropper, fill your ear with the mixture and let it sit for five minutes. Then turn and lay on your other side so that the mixture drains out of your ear completely.
- Follow this remedy two to three times a day for two days.
8. Mango Leaf Juice
The extracts of mango leaf are effective for the treatment of ear infection. Take two or three mango leaves. Grind or crush them to extract juice. Slightly warm the extracted juice. Put 2-3 drops of juice in the infected ear with the help of a dropper. Leave it for a few minutes.
After sometime, you will feel relief in the earache. If the procedure is practised for three times a day, then ear infection will surely get healed.
9. Basil
Basil leaves are also one of the remedies used to get relief in ear infections and minor earache. Take 4-5 holy basil leaves. Crush them to extract their juice. Apply the extracted juice around the infected area. It should not be put into the ear canal.
Apart from this, mixture of basil juice and coconut oil can also be used for healing the ear infection. Take a cotton ball and dip it into the mixture. Apply it gently on the inner part, outer edge and behind the ear. This process should be practised two times in a day.
10. Warm Water Bottle
As soon as possible, apply some heat to the infected ear. This will quickly relieve some of the pain and will also prevent micro-organism infestation.
- Press a warm water bottle or heating pad against the ear.
- You can also use a warm compress. Dip a clean washcloth in lukewarm water, ring out the excess water and then place the washcloth on the infected ear.
- Do not apply heat to the ear for long periods of time. Start with five minutes, remove the heat for a while and then repeat the process as needed.
Homeopathic Remedies for Ear Infection
Apart from the above mentioned natural remedies, homeopathic remedies are also available for healing the ear infection. Here are some recommended homeopathic remedies for ear infection.
Homeopathic Ear Drops
These ear drops are easy to use and very effective in getting immediate relief from earache.
Homeopathic Earache Tablets
These tablets are taken orally for treating the ear infection.
Belladonna
It is used when ear is red, and the patient is suffering from high fever along with intense earache.
Pulsatilla
When yellow or green discharge from ears and nose is seen, it may be used.
Hepar Sulphuris
It is beneficial in the case of sharp earache and thick coloured discharge.
Mercurius solubilis
It is used when extreme ear pain is accompanied with pus formation.
Chamomilla
It is used for intolerable ear pain in children.
Dosage: After one dose, wait for its reaction. If there is a complete relief, stop taking the medicine. If you don’t get relief, take the medicine for next time. The frequency of dosage depends on the condition of an individual. If no effect is seen within a considerable time, consult a physician.
Prevention Measures
A person should take necessary preventive measures for avoiding ear infection. Follow the below mentioned measures:
- Wash your hands frequently to stop the spread of infection.
- Avoid smoking
- Breastfeeding is best for infants, but, if you are feeding your baby with bottle, hold him/her upright.
- Get your child immunized with PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine).
- Prevent the common cold
These remedies can help treat minor ear infections. If there is no improvement within a couple of days, seek medical attention.
source :
http://www.mommypotamus.com/natural-remedies-for-ear-infections/
http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-ear-infection.html/3
http://homeremedyshop.com/11-best-home-remedies-for-ear-infection/
Image : google
