How To Stop An Earache (DIY- Home Remedies)

11 Jan , 2016

Earaches have many causes, almost all of them painful for the patient. There may be sharp, stabbing pains or a dull ache extending into your head and sinuses. Earaches can be experienced in one or both ears, sometimes develop into a chronic condition and may be caused by an infection, a foreign object, insect that becomes lodged in the ear, buildup of wax and high altitude or a change in air pressure. Painful earaches need treatment regardless of the cause to avoid long-term hearing loss and deeper, chronic conditions from developing.

Dealing with an earache can be very painful, especially when it affects a baby or small child. An earache often begins when the tube which runs from the back of the throat to the eardrum becomes congested. Therefore, the eardrum cannot regulate pressure or fluids to the ear. Mucus or pus builds up behind the eardrum, which in turn causes an earache. The more fluid that builds up, the worse the pain becomes. Because it is not always possible to get immediate medical attention, you may have to tolerate the pain or find an alternative way of treating it yourself.

Fortunately, there are several home remedies that you may wish to try, that just may help alleviate your earache pain and may even cure the cause. (We do however, always recommend visiting a hearing care professional, as your first course of action).

FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES, BELOW YOU WILL FIND STEP-BY-STEP HOME REMEDIES. (Some, more commonly known and tested than others).

How To Stop An Earache.

Step 1
Take a decongestant, suggests FamilyDoctor.org, if you feel pressure and stuffiness in the sinuses along with the earache. Sometimes a decongestant relieves pressure around the ear canal even if you don’t have a sinus infection. Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about which one to take and the recommended dose needed for your condition. (The side effects of decongestants can include an increase in blood pressure and heart rate as well as insomnia, nervousness and anxiety). Contact your doctor and discontinue use if you experience any of these symptoms.

Step 2
Make eardrops from organic apple cider vinegar, or ACV, recommends Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, in his book, “Alkalinize or Die.” ACV is great for treating inflammation. Heat the vinegar to body temperature in a microwave or on the stove. Test on the inside of your wrist first before putting in the ear. Drop a few drops into the ear, and cover with a piece of cotton. The vinegar can also be applied by dipping a cotton swab into the warm liquid and gently painting the inside of the outer ear canal. Do not insert the swab into the ear. Make sure to use only organic ACV, known in health-food circles as “From The Mother” ACV vinegar. (As a side note*** apple cider vinegar is also one of the best, quickest, and most natural relievers of heartburn and GURD).

Another effective form of Homemade eardrops can also be made from garlic.

Place several drops of garlic juice directly into the ear using an eyedropper. This will help ease the pain. Also, because garlic contains a natural antibiotic, it is extremely effective for earaches caused by infection.

Garlic In The Case Of An Infection.

Peel 2 cloves of garlic and mix them with two teaspoons of mustard oil. Heat the mixture until the garlic turns black and then turn the heat off. Strain and cool until lukewarm. Apply 2 to 4 drops into the ear using a cotton swab. This is said to help alleviate ear pain.

(There are several other formulas for making your own eardrops to relieve pain and discomfort which are all natural. These can often be made with things you already have in your kitchen or home. ***We have not personally tried the below home remedy eardrop formulas, but share them with you for informational purposes only).

Take a few whole basil leaves and grind them to make a juice. Place two drops inside the ear. Mix some garlic oil with 3 drops of grape seed extract and place inside the affected ear. Grind some mango leaves and boil them. After cooling down a little bit, place 2 to 3 drops of the mango leaf extract into the affected ear. Place a few drops of warm olive oil, mineral oil, or tea tree oil into the ear that hurts. Take a teaspoon of sesame oil along with a clove of garlic and heat it on a flame until it becomes warm. Place four drops of the oil in the affected ear and lie on your side for 10 minutes. Take a radish and chop it into small pieces. Place the pieces of radish into some mustard oil and warm it gently. Place a couple of drops of the formula into the affected ear.

Step 3
Use hydrogen peroxide in the ear for relief from earache recommends Jethro Kloss in his book, “Back to Eden.” Place 2-to-3 drops into the ear while lying with the affected ear upward. Remain in this position for about 10 minutes and you should experience relief.

Step 4
Chew a piece of gum. This is a great trick for relieving the pressure in eustachian tubes when flying in an airplane, but it also brings relief when you wake in the middle of the night feeling the same kind of pressure. The muscular action of chewing relieves the pressure. Do not chew gum while lying down in bed and remember to spit it out before going back to sleep.

Step 5
Hold your nose. If you earache is the result of flying at high altitudes on a plane, the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery suggests pinching your nostrils shut. “Take a mouthful of air and then, using your cheek and throat muscles, force the air into the back of your nose as if you were trying to blow your fingers off the end of your nose. A pop will tell you when you have equalized the pressure inside and outside your ear.” Be very careful when “blowing” not to put too much pressure on the eardrums as they can rupture.

Step 6
ADD WARMTH (Applying warmth is said to be a great remedy for an earache).

Wrap a hot water bottle inside a towel to make a pillow. Lie down with your ear on the hot water bottle pillow for pain relief. You could also try using a warm gel pack wrapped in a towel. In boiling water, steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of chamomile flowers for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the water wait 10 minutes and place the warm flowers in a cloth and place on the ear.

Managing earaches could be as easy as going to the kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. A visit to a hearing professional is our recommended first course of action but, if you are told to just let it run its course, without the aid of any medication. Perhaps a home remedy will bring you the needed relief. You may wish to discuss some of these home remedies with your hearing care professional.