An ear infection often is often caused by inflammation or irritation of the parts of your ear which are responsible for balance and hearing. In other, more rare cases, ear infections can also be caused by viruses or bacteria.  Luckily, we’ve compiled 21 home remedies for ear infections that can help to treat the symptoms. 

Symptoms of Ear Infections

The common symptoms of inner ear infections can include the following.

• Dizziness or a spinning sensation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Issues with walking or balance
• Some hearing loss
• Earache or general ear pain
• Persistent ringing in the ear

Home Remedies for Ear Infections

1. Warm Compress

Using a warm compress can help to tackle the swelling caused by an ear infection and thus helps to reduce the pain. It’s a simple method too which is one of the great benefits of a warm compress. Simply wet a cloth with warm water and drain it. Place the warm, damp cloth against your ear for ten minutes at a time. Do this as often as needed to reduce the pain and swelling.

 

2. Keep Your Head Upright

Keeping your head upright while sitting can help to train your ear and remove any fluids that may be blocking the ear canal and contributing the infection.

 

3. Salt-water Gargle

Gargling with warm salt-water can help to clear the ear canal and reduce pain and irritation. It’s also helpful for soothing a sore throat which may be linked to your ear infection.

4. Stress Management Techniques

Controlling your emotional stresses can play a large role in combating your ear infections. This is because stress can worsen your symptoms. Try breathing techniques to help relieve your stress and anxieties.

5. Warm Olive Oil

Warm olive oil can help to break down a build-up of wax and soothe any pain caused by your ear infection. You can either drop a little of the warmed oil into the ear using a dropper or dip a cotton ball and placing that in your ear to let the oil drip further in. Make sure the oil is no warmer than your natural body temperature in order to avoid burning your eardrum.

 

6. Cold Compress

Use this in the same way you would a warm compress. Many people find that alternating between the two can significantly help to reduce the pain caused by an ear infection.

 

7. Tea Tree Oil

Diluted tea tree oil can also be dropped into the ear to soothe an infection. Although they aren’t necessarily as effective as other forms of eardrops.

8. Ginger

An oil containing ginger can also make a great home remedy for ear infections. Many people suggest that you avoid pouring the oil into the ear canal. You can also use some warmed oil or ginger juice and apply this the area around the outside of the ear. Thanks to ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties, this method can help to soothe the pain and swelling.

 

9. Garlic

A number of studies suggest that a little garlic oil, dropped into the ear canal can help relieve an ear infection. This is largely down to the antibacterial properties of garlic. You can soak a garlic clove in some olive oil, warm this and strain out the garlic. You can then drop a little into your ear canal using a dropper.

 

10. Change Your Sleeping Position

There are suggestions that shifting your position when sleeping can help reduce some of the pain of an ear infection. Sleeping with the affected ear facing upwards can help manage much of the pain.

11. Naturopathic Drops

Naturopathic ear drops are often thought to be more effective than drops made from tea tree oil and other essential oils. They’re made from herbal extracts and can be bought from most health stores.

 

12. Chiropractic Treatment

Seeing a chiropractor might help more than just your back. It could prove an effective remedy for an earache too. Some studies have found that after a few sessions of chiropractic treatment, some people experienced a reduction of ear pain.

 

13. Neck Exercises

In some cases, an ear infection can result from a build-up of pressure in the ear canal. There are a number of neck exercises which can be used to relieve this pressure.

You can try the following.

• Sit up straight with both feet flat on the ground
• Slowly rotate your neck to the right until your head and shoulder are parallel to one another
• Rotate your head the opposite direction so your head become parallel to your left shoulder

Make your movements slowly and hold the gentle stretch for a count of five. Repeat this exercise as often as necessary and you should start to notice an improvement of your symptoms.

14. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has been used in a number of home remedies for centuries. It’s long been used as a remedy for ear infections. Simply place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into the infected ear and let it sit for several minutes. You should then tilt your head over a sink to let the hydrogen peroxide drain out. After use, make sure to rinse your ear with distilled water.

 

15. Massage

A gentle massage can help relieve your ear pain which is radiating from your jaw or teeth. Massaging the muscles behind your ear can help relieve any pain from an ear infection. Use a downward motion to apply pressure behind the ears and down the neck. Continue to apply pressure as your work towards the front of the ears. This can help drain excess fluid from your ears and reduce further pain.

 

16. Onions

Like garlic, onions can be used to fight infection thanks to their antibacterial properties. Heat an onion in a microwave for a minute and strain the liquid that this creates. You can then drop several drops of this liquid into your ear and let it sit for ten minutes. After this time, you can let the liquid drain out of your ear.

17. Sucking

Sucking on anything such as hard candies or cough drops can help to clear the tubes in your ear and reduce any pressure that’s built up.

 

18. Breast Milk

Breast milk is known to have antimicrobial properties. In fact, some studies have suggested that a mother’s breast milk adapts itself based on what microbes to which a baby is exposed to.

Try dropping a few drops of expressed breast milk into the affected ear. Repeat the application every few hours to see an improvement in your infection.

 

19. Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic formed by minute silver particles suspended in water. It works by cutting off the oxygen supply to the infected area, making it difficult for the bacteria to survive and multiply.

Only ever apply two or three drops of the silver to your infected ear. Leave it in your ear for no more than ten or fifteen minutes before letting the liquid drain out into a sink or bowl.

20. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil can be applied to the back of your ear just behind the lobe. Massage the oil into the side of your neck to help soothe the pain.

 

21. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil has powerful antibacterial properties which can help it tackle stubborn ear infections. It can create a burning sensation which is why it isn’t widely recommended and should be used with caution. Mix one drop of oregano oil with some coconut oil and dilute in some water before drinking. Don’t do this any more than two times a day.

Which of these home remedies for ear infections will you try? Comment below.

References

https://www.medicinenet.com/inner_ear_infection/article.htm

https://www.medicinenet.com/ear_infection_home_treatment/article.htm

https://www.healthline.com/health/12-effective-earache-remedies

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318057.php

https://allthenourishingthings.com/5-natural-remedies-for-ear-infections-no-antibiotics/