Some home remedies for ear pain, such as using a ginger stick or applying a few drops of olive oil with garlic, help to relieve ear pain or reduce discomfort, as they contain substances with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ear pain can be caused by water entering the ear, inflammation or infections in the ear canal, such as internal or external otitis, or rupture of the eardrum, for example, and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as decreased hearing, pus in the ear, fever or dizziness. See the main causes of ear pain.
These home remedies are a great option to help relieve ear pain, however, if there is no improvement in symptoms within about 2 days or it is accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult an otorhinolaryngologist to identify the cause and the most appropriate treatment has been initiated.
Top home remedies for ear pain
The main home remedies for ear pain are:
1. Warm water compress
One of the best home remedies to relieve ear pain is to apply a warm water compress to the affected ear, as the heat helps to increase circulation in the ear, and decongest the ear, reducing pain.
Ingredients
Water;
Soft cloth, sterile gauze, cotton wool or thermal bag.
Preparation mode
Place the water in a container and place on the fire to heat. Turn off the heat and wait for the water to cool. Make sure the water is not too hot to avoid burning your ears. Then, wet the soft cloth, sterile gauze or cotton in warm water, squeeze to remove excess water and apply the compress to the affected ear for 5 to 10 minutes.
In the case of the thermal bag, you must add warm water inside the thermal bag and cover it with a clean, dry towel to place on the affected ear. See other tips to get rid of ear pain.
2. Ginger stick
Ginger is a root that has phenolic compounds, such as gingerol, chogaol and zingerone, with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which help fight inflammation and relieve various types of pain, including ear pain.
Ingredients
1 thin ginger stick about 2 cm long.
Preparation mode
Cut the thin ginger stick by making small cuts on the side and insert it inside the ear for about 10 minutes. Discover other health benefits of ginger.
3. Chamomile steam inhalation
Chamomile inhalation is an excellent home remedy for ear pain, as it has a strong relaxing and decongestant effect, which facilitates the removal of secretions from the nose and ear, reducing pressure and relieving pain. Furthermore, the inhalation steam helps to warm and hydrate the channels that connect the nose to the ear, reducing the irritation that may be causing the pain, and can be done in adults or children.
However, inhalation in children must always be carried out under adult supervision, even if the child has previously inhaled, as there is a serious risk of burns.
Ingredients
6 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers;
1.5 to 2 liters of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water and add the chamomile flowers. Wait 5 to 10 minutes and then place your face over the bowl and cover your head with a towel to inhale the steam. It is important to breathe the steam as deeply as possible for up to 10 minutes, repeating 2 to 3 times a day.
Another option for doing this inhalation is to use chamomile essential oil, adding a few drops to a basin or pan of boiling water.
4. Garlic Oil
Garlic has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, due to the allicin present in its composition, which can be used to relieve various types of pain in the body, including in the ear.
However, the habit of putting hot olive oil or any other solution, which is not recommended by an otorhinolaryngologist, must be carried out with caution, as it may worsen the pain or cause burns.
Ingredients
1 clove of garlic;
2 tablespoons of sesame oil or olive oil.
Preparation mode
Crush the garlic clove and place it in a clean, dry glass container. Add sesame oil or olive oil and place the container in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Then strain and wait for it to cool. Soak cotton or gauze in garlic oil and place it in your ear. Another option is to apply 2 to 3 drops of garlic oil to the ear that is hurting.
It is important to ensure that the garlic oil is warm to avoid burning your ear, and test the temperature by placing a little of the oil on the back of your hand.
Garlic oil should not be used in cases of otitis externa or perforated eardrum.
5. Mallow infusion
Mallow infusion is rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids, with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve earache and nasal congestion that can cause ear pressure and pain.
Ingredients
3 spoons of dried mallow flowers;
1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water, turn off the heat and add the dried flowers, letting it rest for 10 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool and drink up to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor or herbalist. For children over 7 years old, you can give up to 75 mL of malva tea per day.
Mallow tea should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or by people who have high blood pressure.
6. Echinacea tea
Echinacea tea is rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant substances, such as flavonoids, chicoric and rosmarinic acids, which help reduce the production of substances that can cause ear pain, in addition to strengthening the immune system.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon of echinacea root or leaves;
1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the echinacea leaves to a cup of boiling water and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. As for the echinacea root, you must boil the root together with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool and drink twice a day.
Echinacea tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have tuberculosis or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis.
When to go to the doctor
Ear pain is a symptom that can often be alleviated with simple measures, improving in about 2 to 3 days, however, an otorhinolaryngologist should be consulted in the following situations:
Very intense ear pain;
Pain that worsens or lasts for more than 2 days;
Pus or discharge in the ear;
Decreased hearing capacity;
Difficulty opening your mouth;
Fever;
Headache;
Dizziness;
Vertigo;
Ringing in the ear.
The doctor will look inside the ear with a small device to determine the cause of the ear pain, the severity of the symptoms, the presence of infection, and whether the eardrum is affected or its membrane has ruptured.
Furthermore, this assessment helps to identify whether there is pus or other complications involved, to determine the best type of treatment according to the cause of the ear pain, which may indicate the use of anti-inflammatories, analgesics or antibiotics, for example. Learn more about ear pain treatment.
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