How to fix ear infection at home

Ear infections can be painful. Sometimes they cause a persistent dull pain; other times a sharp burning feeling comes and goes. Most of the time, they’re not anything to worry about. Except that you’ll want the pain to cease.

Table of Contents Show

Common Relief Options
Pain Relievers for Earaches
At-Home Remedies to Treat Ear Infections
Who At-Home Remedies Are Best For
2-Ingredient Mixture To Effectively Help Eliminate Earwax And Ear Infections
Here are the symptoms of earwax buildup:
If the earwax buildup is not eliminated on time, it can lead to an infection, which is often characterized by:
Here is how to use it:
Using Eardrops
How to Use Alcohol to Clean Out Earwax
6 More Home Remedies To Beat Ear Infections
Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt Compress
Tea Tree Oil
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution to Clean Your Ears

Here is an overview of traditional approaches to treatment, plus everything you need to know about at-home remedies.

Common Relief Options

The most natural treatment is no treatment at all, or the “watchful waiting” approach. (1)

Doctors may go this route for mild cases of middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, in an attempt to allow the immune system to fight off the infection on its own without the help of antibiotics.

“Often we don't need to give antibiotics,” says Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD, partner at ENT and Allergy Associates in New York City. Generally, she says ear, nose, and throat doctors will watch the infection for about three days. If the symptoms remain or worsen, then it may be time for antibiotics.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) in particular tends to go away without antibiotics or other treatments. These ear infections are the result of fluid buildup in the middle ear and usually have few symptoms. (1)

Pain Relievers for Earaches

If you or your child is experiencing an infection, you’ll likely want relief from the pain — fast.

For quick relief, your doctor may also suggest reaching for an over-the-counter pain reliever, with or without the addition of antibiotics.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen could help, though you’ll always want to check with your doctor to be sure. (1)

At-Home Remedies to Treat Ear Infections

Maybe you’re not a fan of pain relievers or antibiotics and want to limit your or your child’s exposure to them.

“Overuse of antibiotics in society in general has caused this growth of bacteria that are now resistant to many types of antibiotics, so we're trying to reel that back in [by not overly prescribing],” Dr. Chandrasekhar says.

Given that, natural, at-home options may come in handy. At least 1 in 10 people with ear pain reports having tried one or more types of alternative medicine before visiting their doctor. (2)

Keep in mind, however, that research supporting these treatments is scarce, and it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before trying a new treatment.

Here are six at-home options that may provide some relief:

A warm compress Hold a washcloth under warm water and squeeze it to release the extra water. Then, lay it over the ear that’s infected for 20 minutes or so to lessen the pain. (3) A warm water bottle held over the infected ear should also do the trick. (4) “People do the warm compresses simply to try to soothe, to try to draw out the inflammation,” Chandrasekhar says, adding that she does believe it can make people feel a little bit better.
Warm olive oil in the ear Chandrasekhar says there’s no proof this works but says it’s okay to try as long as the olive oil isn’t piping hot and there’s no hole in the eardrum. “It may soothe or it may not soothe,” she says. “If there's no swollen eardrum, [olive oil] may not cause any harm whatsoever.”
Herbal extract ear drops Drops containing allium sativum, verbascum thapsus, calendula flores, hypericum perforatum, lavender, and vitamin E in olive oil can help children suffering from a middle ear infection that requires active treatment (rather than simply waiting for the pain to diminish over time). One study found these drops to be just as effective as prescription drops. (2)
A solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and vinegar Applying a couple of drops of this solution in the infected ear could help people suffering from repeat infections of swimmer’s ear (medically called otitis externa), which occurs when water gets stuck in the ear canal and bacteria grow. The rubbing alcohol helps the water in the ear evaporate, and the vinegar prevents bacteria from spreading. (5)
Blow-drying the ear This method can also help people who routinely suffer from swimmer’s ear (who aren’t always swimmers — simply being out on a windy and rainy day could cause the infection). Pointing a blow-dryer on low heat near the ear can help dry up any leftover moisture in the ear after being out in the elements, pool, or shower. (5)
The juice of an onion Several articles and YouTube videos claim that onions are the secret to curing an earache, which is advice that supposedly dates back to the 1800s. Onions contain a flavonoid called quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. One method calls for heating an onion at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. Then, once it is cool, cut the onion in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Put a few drops of the juice into the ear. Or, you could place the onion half directly over the infected ear. (6) Chandrasekhar says it’s “perfectly reasonable [to try it], but give yourself a time limit like, ‘Okay, if it’s still bothering me in three days I’m going to go in to see a doctor,’” she says.

Who At-Home Remedies Are Best For

Chandrasekhar warns not to try a home remedy on a child under the age of 2 because they’re at increased risk of developing complications.

“If the child is fussing when you put them down flat or trying to pull at their ear or if they're screaming when you're trying to feed them, I think bringing them in and listening to your doctor and giving them the antibiotics they need is really important,” she says.

Chandrasekhar is less concerned about older patients who aren’t experiencing other symptoms, like a fever or difficulty eating or drinking.

If none of these at-home options helps relieve pain within a couple of days, it may be time to call your doctor. It’s possible the infection will need antibiotics to heal and leaving it untreated for too long could lead to complications, which can be serious or rarely life-threatening.

2-Ingredient Mixture To Effectively Help Eliminate Earwax And Ear Infections

The ears are one of the most sensitive body parts, and their cleanliness should be one of our priorities. Our ear canals produce earwax as a way to protect the ears from dust, foreign particles, and microorganisms, and themselves from irritations as a result of water.
The excess earwax leaves the ear canal from the ear opening naturally, but sometimes, the excessive production of wax in the ear canals can block the ear, and even lead to hearing loss.

Here are the symptoms of earwax buildup:

Earache
sudden or partial hearing loss
tinnitus, ringing or buzzing in the ear
a feeling of fullness in the ear

If the earwax buildup is not eliminated on time, it can lead to an infection, which is often characterized by:

fever
severe pain in the ear
Dizziness
pain in the ear that doesn’t subside
drainage from the ear
coughing
persistent hearing loss
an odor coming from your ear

This combination fights mild or moderate infections, breaks down the earwax, and dries the ear in an entirely painless way.

Here is how to use it:

Mix the rubbing alcohol and the white vinegar, and drop 5ml of it in the ear. Keep the head tilted for about a minute, and then put the head upright to help the remaining mixture to run out of the ear. Apply the remedy in both ears, and repeat daily.

Using Eardrops

Ear drops that may help with an ear infection can be purchased or they can be made at home. Non-prescription eardrops may be helpful in treating mild cases of swimmer’s ear. Eardrops can be made at home or purchased over the counter. According to ear specialists, a simple at-home blend can be made by making a mixture of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar. Using a few drops into the ears can help dry out the ear canal and support the healing process. These drops should also not be used in people who have ear tubes (T-tubes), permanent injuries to their eardrum, or certain ear surgeries. If the infection is not getting better or other symptoms develop, a person should stop using the drops and see their doctor. Eardrops should not be used in an ear that has any discharge coming from it unless prescribed by a doctor.

Ear discharge, drainage, or blood is a sign of a bigger complication, such as a ruptured eardrum, which needs immediate medical attention.

How to Use Alcohol to Clean Out Earwax

6 More Home Remedies To Beat Ear Infections

Garlic

Garlic has potent antimicrobial and pain relieving properties that make highly effective as a home remedy for ear infections. There are several different ways you can employ garlic as a natural earache remedy. Make your own garlic oil by cooking two cloves in two tablespoons of mustard oil until it becomes black in color. Strain the liquid and when it is just hot enough for you to bear, put a few drops in the affected ear. Be sure to use a clean dropper for this method. You can also boil a few fresh cloves of garlic in water for about five minutes. Crush them and add a little real salt. Put this mixture into a clean cloth and place it against the ear that is hurting.

In addition to the above remedies with garlic, you can also consume a few cloves of fresh garlic daily to help boost your immunity and speed up healing.

Olive Oil

There are many reasons for an ear infection but one very common one is when wax in the ear is attacked by a fungal or bacterial growth which leads to a blockage in the Eustachian tubes. This obstruction can be cleared easily with the help of olive oil.
Warm up some olive oil on the stove (on low heat). Dribble the oil into the infected ear. When the oil hits the wax it will soften. After this, remove the wax with a cotton swab. However, do not put the swab too far into the ear as you may damage the eardrum.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is touted as the “go to” remedy, one that your grandmother may have relied upon. Despite its strong aroma and acidic taste, this vinegar made from fermented apples has a plethora of healing properties. One of these properties is its antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Known for its ability to fight chronic yeast infections, apple cider vinegar can also tackle fungus that may cause ear infections. To use apple cider vinegar for ear infections, mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution. Place the cotton ball in your affected ear and let it sit for five minutes or so. Remove the cotton ball and lay down on your opposite side so that any residual vinegar can drain from your ear. Dry your ear out with a hair dryer set on low.

Note: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can use white vinegar. If you know that the location of your infection in in the Eustachian tubes, you can try gargling with apple cider vinegar as well.

Salt Compress

A warm compress may help relieve the pressure building up in the ear as well. Using a compress for 20-minute periods while resting can help reduce pain. This can be done along with other pain treatments, including over-the-counter medications.
Most people have no trouble finding a little salt in their home. Heat up one cup of salt over low heat for just a few minutes. Place the warm salt in a clean and soft cloth. Secure the end of the cloth with a rubber band. When you can stand the temperature, lay down and place the cloth on the affected ear for about ten minutes. Repeat this daily to help bring relief. The warm salt will help draw out the fluid from the ear and reduce pain and swelling.

Basil

Basil is an herb with many therapeutic properties. Basil is high in antioxidants and also contains potent antibacterial properties. To use basil crush five fresh holy basil leaves very gently to expel the juice. Apply the basil juice on and around the affected ear. Be careful not to get any of the juice in the ear canal. Alternatively, mix a few drops of holy basil oil with an equal amount of coconut oil and soak a cotton ball in the mixture. Wipe gently just inside the ear, around the outside of the ear and behind the ear with the mixture.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has a number of amazing therapeutic properties including; antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial, fungicide, insecticide, balsamic, expectorant and stimulant. All of these properties make tea tree oil and excellent herbal remedy to turn to when you have ear pain or infection. Mix a few drops of oil with a tablespoon of olive oil and warm slightly. Fill a clean dropper with the mixture and drop into the infected ear. Lay on your side with the oil in your ear for about three minutes. Turn your head to drain the oil out.

Repeat daily until the pain subsides.