An ear infection (acute otitis media) is a painful condition that can affect any part of the ear. Depending on the severity of the infection in the ear, you may also experience itchiness in the ear, discharge or fluid draining from the ear or a slight loss of hearing. Because infections of the ear develop in children more often than adults, it can be difficult to find the best treatment to cure ear infections. In fact, the pain and discomfort from ear infections can be especially distressing for a child. Ear infections in children can cause ear irritation when lying down and sleeping, increased crying and irritability, drainage of fluid from the ear, and headaches.
After a crying infant is brought to the doctor’s office following a sleepless night, the doctor often quickly prescribes some antibiotics to ease the painful symptoms of the ear infection. But, antibiotics might not be the best choice when it comes to ear infections and you may also want to consider home remedies for treating the infection (but consult with your doctor first).
The American Academy of Pediatrics published revised guidelines in 2013 to advise medical personnel on the best practices to diagnose and treat ear infections in children. In many cases, they recommend a ‘wait- and-see’ or ‘watchful waiting’ approach to see if the ear infection symptoms go away by themselves. They reported that around 66% of children with earaches and ear infections were cured without the need for antibiotics.1
You don’t want to be unnecessarily contributing to a growing antibiotic resistance. What is usually needed is some good rest, symptom control, careful observation and a bit of patience. Of course, ear infections might be unpleasant and exhausting for kids and adults alike, so there are many natural home remedies to treat the symptoms of ear infections.
Ear infection symptoms
Common symptoms of ear infection include:
Earache (often severe ear pain)
Diminished hearing
Drainage of fluids from the ear
Popping, clicking or crackling sound in ear
In children with ear infection, you may also observe:
Pulling at the ear
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability and crying
Loss of balance
Loss of appetite
Fever
An ear infection can also cause lump or bump behind ear or swollen occipital lymph nodes.
Is it really an Ear Infection?
Dr. Allan Lieberthal, the lead author of the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, believes that ear infections are a highly over-diagnosed condition. If the child is acting funny, the ear hurts, and there is some redness of the inner membrane, it doesn’t automatically mean that he or she has an ear infection. It might just be that the fluid from the ear is not draining well.
Prescribing antibiotics won’t always solve the problem. Ear infections can be caused either by bacteria or viruses. In viral cases – which are very common – antibiotics won’t work as viruses don’t respond to them.
According to a research, the ‘watchful waiting’ approach is much more advisable, especially in children over the age of two. Dr. Lieberthal suggests waiting for 48 to 72 hours to see if the pain, swelling, redness, and discomfort caused by infections in the ear go away by themselves.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that antibiotics are prescribed only if there is ‘moderate to severe’ bulging of the tympanic membrane (the eardrum). Also, to make sure the infection in the inner, middle, or outer ear is caused by a bacterial infection, a swab should be taken first.
Natural Ear Infection Remedies
While you’re waiting for your (or your little one’s) infection to clear, there are many natural home remedies that can help you alleviate the symptoms and reduce the discomfort and pain.
- Garlic
Garlic works as a natural antibiotic and it helps to soothe the ear pain associated with ear infections. It contains powerful aromatic compounds that have an antiseptic effect to kill off bacteria and viruses that cause infections. It is also an effective natural anti-inflammatory agent which will reduce swelling in the ear canal and discomfort in the ear. You can use garlic in different ways to help treat ear infections:
Make garlic oil to get rid of ear infection:
Crush 2 garlic cloves and wait for a few minutes to let the allicin form. Then cook in a few tablespoons of sesame oil or mustard oil or olive oil for several minutes.
Strain the solution.
Pour two to four drops of the garlic oil remedy into your painful ear. The temperature should be warm.
You need to lie on your side for at least 30 seconds to let the garlic oil disappear in the ear canal.
Repeat 3 to 4 times daily to treat the ear infection and to alleviate the pain.
Make garlic compress to relieve ear infection pain faster:
