Ear Infection

Ear infections are bacterial, viral, or rarely, fungal infections of the ear and its surrounding structures. Ear infections are classified by anatomic location. The difference in location dictates the routes of drainage and infection.

For school-age children, the most common finding is an infection of the middle ear (Acute Otitis Media).

The middle ear is separated from the external ear (ear canal and pinna) by the ear drum (tympanic membrane). This compartment contains the smallest bones in the body called the ossicles which transmit and amplify the sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.

The middle ear is connected to the throat by a small collapsible tube called the Eustachian tube/canal. This is the most common route of infection going to the middle ear.

Earaches are usually preceded by colds or throat infections that manage to climb up the Eustachian canal and infect the middle ear.

Just like any infection, there is inflammation and a build-up of pus in the area. And since the middle ear is a closed compartment, that build-up of pus exerts pressure against the eardrum which causes severe pain or earache.

Left untreated, the eardrum may perforate and release this pressure towards the external ear. At this time, a pustular discharge can be noted coming out of the affected ear. When this happens the pain may suddenly be relieved by the decrease in pressure inside the middle ear compartment, but don't assume that the infection is over.

Middle ear infections usually need antibiotic treatment and proper evaluation by a physician. The sooner a physician can evaluate you or your child, the better.

However, you can minimize the earache by using some of the following home remedies to get rid of an ear infection.

Natural Cures for Ear Infection:

Chew Gum:

Yes you read that right. It's not the gum, it’s the action of chewing that can remedy the earache.

This is because when you move your jaw, you open up the Eustachian canal and release some of the pressure build-up in the middle ear, much like equalizing when in an airplane at high altitude.

Over-the-Counter Pain Medications:

For children, age-appropriate dosages of acetaminophen may alleviate the pain.

Reserve stronger medications like ibuprofen for when acetaminophen cannot relieve the pain or under your doctor's instructions only.

Nasal Decongestants:

Frequent blowing of the nose and sneezing could worsen the ear infection because of poor drainage. Using nasal decongestants as a home remedy opens up the clogged nasal passages and allows drainage of the infection from the ear.

Warm Soup:

Chicken soup, noodle soup or broths is a home remedy that will decongest your nasal passages as well as provide you much needed nutrition during these times when your taste buds don’t agree with the food you eat. Another cause of earache is infection of the External ear canal or Otitis Externa.

This commonly afflicts swimmers, which is why it is sometimes called "Swimmer's ear".

For this one, antibiotics and a proper evaluation by a physician is also necessary, however, there are some natural cures you can try out:

Boiled Guava Leaves:

Guava leaves have long been used as an antiseptic to treat wounds.

For ear infections, you need to boil a cup of guava leaves and a cup of water in a glass or earthen pot for 15-20 minutes.

Let the decoction cool down before applying 3-5 drops to the affected ear thrice a day.

This natural cure can minimize or clear up the infection but if it persists, see your doctor for proper antibiotics.

Pain Medications:

This will relieve the pain as well as minimize the swelling of your ear canal.

Sterile Gauze Wick:

External ear infections cause a narrowing of your ear canal preventing drainage of pus.

For this reason a sterile gauze wick is an essential home remedy that can help drain your ear.

Make a short wick by cutting a small portion of sterile gauze and rolling it loosely in your clean fingers.

You can insert this into your ear canal, if still possible. This will provide an avenue for the pus to drain properly.

Change the wick as needed.