Ear Ache Remedies: Your Ear Ache Remedy Will Depend on the Type of Infection

Your child’s ear is throbbing, he feels feverish, and you’re not quite sure what to do. When your child has an ear ache, the pain can be intense and incapacitating. You’ll do just about anything to find an effective and safe ear ache remedy.

Ear ache is a general term for two very common, yet different, conditions in both children and adults. Whenever someone has an ear ache, it is likely caused by: (1) an outer ear infection, or (2) a middle ear infection. Since these are two distinct ailments, there is a rather long list of ear ache remedies available. The ear ache remedy you choose must be appropriate for the type of ear infection you are trying to resolve.

An outer ear infection would include a skin infection of the outer ear, or an infection of the outer ear canal. An outer ear infection is also known as “swimmer’s ear” because it is normally caused by trapped moisture in the ear canal. Swimming, bathing, and humid weather cause bacteria to grow and multiply easily in the ear canal, leading to an ear ache. An outer ear infection also may happen because of a minor injury to the skin of the ear canal, allowing bacteria to penetrate the skin and begin an infection. As an ear ache remedy for outer ear infection, some people suggest homemade eardrops made from ½ rubbing alcohol, ¼ white vinegar, and ¼ distilled water. The best ear ache remedy for an outer ear infection, however, is often preventive measures. Ways to prevent an outer ear infection include drying the ear carefully after swimming or bathing, wearing earplugs while swimming, and being very careful when cleaning the outer ear. Cleaning the ear with a cotton swab, fingers, or any other object is potentially harmful and could cause an injury-induced ear ache.

For an ear ache caused by a middle ear infection, the ear ache remedy options are more plentiful. First, to help children prevent a middle ear infection, parents should keep children away from secondhand cigarette smoke, allergens, and infectious germs like cold viruses. Once an adult or child has an ear ache from a middle ear infection, the first ear ache remedy usually focuses on relieving pain. Over-the-counter pain medications are often used to treat ear infection symptoms, but it’s very important not to give aspirin to anyone under the age of 20, as this has been linked to Reye’s Syndrome.

Another ear ache remedy is to apply heat, such as a heating pad or warm washcloth, to the ear. Rest is also an important ear ache remedy. Conversely, it has been found that decongestants, antihistamines, and cold remedies do not work as an ear ache remedy.

When faced with an ear ache, many people ask, “Should we use antibiotics as an ear ache remedy?” This is a difficult question to answer. More than 80 percent of ear infections get better without antibiotics, and antibiotics do not always reduce pain and fever. If it is found that you do need to use antibiotics as an ear ache remedy, keep in mind that antibiotics will upset the balance of healthy organisms in the digestive tract of both children and adults. Växa ReFlora+ is an excellent way to replenish your body’s “good” bacteria and thus boost your immune system.