Earaches produce several uncomfortable symptoms both in children and adults. So, do you have to rush to the pediatrician or ENT doctor for treatment? For many ear infections, the answer is no.
Here are some effective home remedies for earaches and information about when you need to see an ENT physician.
What Causes Earaches?
Most earaches are caused by middle ear infections. The medical term for these infections is otitis media.
Otitis media refers to the bacteria or viral illness which affects the structures in the middle ear. Most notably, these earaches stem from fluid build-up behind the eardrum.
Kids mostly–but some adults as well–get earaches related to otitis media after a bout of the flu or a cold. Some youngsters get several ear infections annually.
Other things contributing to earaches include:
- Allergies to pollen, dust, animal dander, and more
- Secondhand cigarette smoke in the home or other immediate environment
- Putting a baby or toddler to bed with a pacifier or propped-up bottle
- Ear wax (cerumen) build-up in the ear canal
Also, ear infections mostly show some easily recognizable symptoms, including:
- Ear pain
- Low-grade fever (100 degrees F or lower)
- Muffled hearing
- A feeling of pressure and fullness in the affected ear
- Drainage coming from the ear
- Tiredness
Babies and toddlers with ear infections can be fussy and cranky. Also, they may tug on their ears and sleep poorly because of their earaches.
Can Home Remedies Relieve Earaches?
The answer is yes. Home remedies can help relieve earaches. So, they are definitely worth a try.
For mild to moderate earache symptoms, home remedies can work very well to help kids and adults feel better. There are a number of things you can do at home to help prevent earaches, too.
Home remedies for earaches include:
- Applying warm or cold compresses to the affected ear to reduce pain and inflammation (you can alternate warm and cold every 30 minutes)
- Over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain
- Sleeping propped-up on two pillows to promote fluid drainage
- Drinking warm tea with honey
- Flushing the sinuses with sterile water using a Neti pot
- Drinking plenty of fluids–water, tea, juices
- Using an over-the-counter decongestant medication
- Placing a humidifier in the bedroom at night to moisturize the air
- Clearing ear wax by placing a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the affected ear
Try a combination of these home remedies to see what works best for you or your child.
However, you should consult an ear, nose, and throat doctor if the earache symptoms last more than two or three days. A healthcare provider must check you or your child if the fever runs high–up to 104 degrees F.
These ongoing symptoms may indicate a serious underlying health condition, such as strep throat or meningitis. Also, an otolaryngologist can look for signs of jaw joint dysfunction or TMJ. TMJ can have ear pain as a symptom.
What Can I Do to Prevent Earaches?
Besides home remedies, some common measures can help prevent earaches in kids and adults. These routine practices include:
- Avoiding crowds during cold and flu season
- Keeping the ears clean and dry
- Avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, especially in the home
- Keeping all vaccines up to date
- Controlling allergy symptoms with shots or medications
- Staying well hydrated
- Never putting cotton-tipped swabs (or other foreign objects) into the ear canal to avoid injury
In addition to these preventive measures, be aware of any allergens or environmental irritants that may trigger an earache. This could include certain foods or things such as pollen, dust, or pet dander.
Earache Specialist in Georgetown, TX
At Georgetown ENT, Dr. Scott William Franklin is an ear, nose, and throat specialist with special training in sleep apnea and allergies. His credentials and experience help patients of all ages find relief from earaches.
If you or your child need help with ear pain, contact Georgetown ENT at (512) 869-0604 or request your visit here for a helpful consultation with Dr. Franklin. We look forward to serving you!
