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.
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