Kitchen and Home based tips to ease Ear Ache (pain).

Pain in inner or outer ear is often caused by excess fluid or infection that may interrupt the ability to hear. Sometimes ear pain can be unbearable, making it difficult to sleep and eat. It may develop due to some underlying illness like sinus or a sore throat. while in some cases tight headwear, poorly fitting headphones, sleeping on a hard surface, ear piercings, grinding teeth, are other reasons for ear ache. You can use some home remedies to relieve mild ear aches but consult your doctor if the pain continues.

Home Remedies:

Using a warm, moist compress on the ear may help to relieve pain.

The heat from an electric heating pad or hot pack (for approx. 20 min) can reduce inflammation and pain in the ear. For more relief, touch the neck and throat too with the hot pad.

For some people, alternating hot and cold packs (20 minutes hot, followed by 20 minutes cold) provides the best pain relief.

Garlic: To prevent ear infections, try eating a clove of garlic each day. Garlic ear drops also help to reduce pain and prevent infection. Cook two or three cloves in two tablespoons of mustard or sesame seed oil until brown, then strain the mix. Apply a drop or two to each ear.

Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties so its juice or infused oil can be applied to the outer ear canal.

Onion juice: Heat onion in the microwave for a minute or two. Then, strain the liquid and apply several drops to the ear. Lie down for 10 minutes and then allow the liquid to flow out of the ear. Repeat this as needed.

Hydrogen peroxide – It can help keep ears clean and stops dirt or bacteria from entering the middle ear, also prevents the swimmer’s ear. Carefully swab a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide onto the ear canal.

Apple cider vinegar: Antibacterial properties of acetic acid in vinegar helps to treat ear infections. Mix equal parts of warm water to apple cider vinegar and carefully apply a few drops to the affected ear with a dropper bottle or a cotton ball.

Coconut oil drops – Warm a lil coconut oil and apply it to your ears after that lie down on the opposite ear to let it flow in.

Basil leaves extract and tea tree oil drops can be helpful too to ease dowm the pain.

Salt: Heat some salt on a low flame and coat a cotton ball with warm salt. Place this in your ear for about 10 minutes because salt tends to draw out the fluid from the ear and reduces swelling. Sea salt also helps in reducing inflammation and pain within your ear canal. Never pour salt water into your ears.

Some exercises:

Neck exercises – Try some easy exercises that involve rotation of the neck as it helps in relieving the pressure in the ear canal. Go easy and slow on your movements and see if it gives you any relief.

Massage: massaging the tender area, and surrounding muscles can help to relieve the pain. If the area behind the ear hurts, try massaging the muscles of the jaw and neck to calm the muscles.

Ear Popping: Close your mouth, hold your nostrils. Try to breathe out through your nose in order to release the inbuilt pressure.

Sleeping positions – Don’t place the affected ear on the pillow as the pressure will aggravate the pain therefore sleep on the opposite side.

Important:

Never use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. It may also lead to ear pain and push the wax further. Don’t listen to high volume via headphones as this may hurt your ears. Dont use over-the-counter ear drops and pain relievers without consulting your doctor.