What is an ear infection?
All of us know that ear has three parts internal, outer, middle, and inner. Infection can occur in any of the above-listed parts but the infection caused in the inner part of the ear is the most dangerous one.[1]
It becomes really important to treat the ear infection on time for the reason that it can lead to further complications, if not treated timely, for instance, it can rupture or damage the eardrum. If it is left untreated for a long period, it can lead to deafness.
Otitis media affects the area inside the eardrum and all the small bones, the air pressure is regulated in this area by the auditory tube running from the ear to the back of the nasal cavity, when bacteria or a virus gets in this area, the different parts become inflamed with fluid, causing pressure and extremely sharp pain in the ear with fever.
If the infection is not controlled it can result in eardrum perforation letting all pressure out and relieving pain, but a perforated eardrum means loss of hearing and fluid discharge. This kind of ear infection is very common in infants due to the position of the baby while feeding allowing milk bacteria to grow in the auditory tube.
Causes of ear infection
Ear infections are generally caused by viruses or bacteria in the middle ear. The most common causes of ear infection are some kinds of fungus or bacteria that grow in that area. However, there are other causes such as
- Cancer may bring similar effects.
- Further causes include congestion often linked to a common cold,
- viral respiratory infections,
- Allergies.
Symptoms of ear infections
A few common symptoms which can help you know that you are suffering from an ear infection are
- Ear pain
- Difficulty sleeping,
- Tugging at the ear,
- Poor sound response.
- Headache.
- Draining flood from the ear.
- High fever
- DiarrhoeaVomiting.
Risk factors behind ear infection.
There may be various contributing factors behind but the most common ones are internal injuries,
- Nutritional Deficiencies.
- Genetics.
- Environmental allergies.
- Food allergies.
- Upper respiratory infections.
- Wax build-up.
Tips to get rid of ears Problems
- Sunbathing is the beneficiary as it kills the harmful bacteria.
- Soaps, chemicals, and other drying agents should be avoided.
- Increase your intake of vitamin B6
- Do exercise, meditation and relax your mind
- Use fragrance-free bathing products.
- Several helpful tips can help you cope with and minimize the symptoms of eczema:
- Eat a healthy diet and avoid foods such as dairy products, mushrooms, or crustacean meat (lobster, shrimp, clams, or oysters) that may contain allergens and aggravate the body
- Bathe in cool or warm water, never hot, and always apply a moisturizer to your skin afterward to seal in moisture
- Use a mild soap such as Dove or Oil of Olay when washing
- Moisturize daily to prevent dry skin – use a cheap but very effective moisturizer such as Vaseline
- Avoid using irritants such as household cleaners, detergents, perfumes, soaps, turpentine, or gasoline that may aggravate your skin
- Wear plastic or vinyl gloves when working in water
- Keep nails short to avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy area
- Avoid activities that may your skin to become hot and sweaty
- Wear cotton or cotton-blend clothing and avoid wool and synthetic fabrics as they can irritate the skin
- Use protective coverings for mattresses or pillows if you or your child is allergic to dust or dust mites
- Learn to reduce stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or listening to music
- Keep pets outside and avoid having them in the bedroom.
What to do for an earache in adults
- Use Colloidal Silver, as an ear wash, it can be taken orally too. This is a natural antibiotic.
- Take Vitamin C to help boost the immune system and fight infection.
- Zinc is also helpful in reducing ear infections.
- If the infection has just begun to take echinacea (alcohol-free).
- Mix lobelia and garlic oil or olive oil, place a few drops in the ear and plug it with cotton this will help with the pain. If the ear is red, hot, and painful especially after exposure to cold temperature,
- Use Aconite, this homeopathic remedy is excellent for the ear infection.
If the cheek of the same side of the ear affected is red and the person is unable to tolerate the pain then take chamomilla. Using Indian Hemp leaves juice about 8 to 10 drops in ears can help to kill germs in your ear. Also, helps to cure earache problem. This is one of the natural home remedies for ear problems.
- If you have an ear infection, fill 3 to 5 drops of coconut oil in your infected ear and close with cotton before going to bed.
- Clean your ears daily with water while taking a bath, which will prevent you from earache & infections. Use earbuds to clean your ears after having a head bath.
- When you take bath or came from outside, you should clean your ears properly by rubbing gently with your fingers and then clean with earbuds to avoid formed dust in or near to ears.
- If you can’t hear properly, then close your ears for a moment and open it gently to hear properly. Which will helps to hear properly when attending any meetings. Without hearing its waste of energy & waste of time to attend the meeting. Most people don’t know this, but i do in my regular life.
- If the area is overwhelmed with pulsating pain and sensitive to touch take Hepar sulph.
Home remedies for ear infection in adults
Warm Salt or Water
It’s one of the most effective and readily available home remedies to cure an ear infection. All you need to do is heat some oil in the microwave or the pan and then place this hot salt on a piece of cloth and seal it appropriately. Put this bearable hot salt sealed in a cloth on the affected ear for a few minutes and repeat the process 2 times a day.
Tea Tree Oil
Garlic or Onion Juice
Echinacea or Goldenseal
Eucalyptus and Peppermint Oil
Basil
- Try mixing some basil oil with the equivalent amount of coconut oil.
- Use a cotton ball to soak in the mixture and then delicately wipe right inside of the ear, along with the outside edge and also the rear side of the ear.
- Repeat this process two times every day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
It’s a good option to treat your ear infection with apple cider vinegar for the reason that apple cider vinegar proves effective for this. How can you treat your infection of the ear with apple cider vinegar? The way is simple.
- Mixing some apple cider vinegar to the equivalent portion of alcohol or water.
- Soaking a cotton ball into this solution and then using this cotton ball to fit in your ear just like an earplug will relieve the pain and fight any infection.
- Leave it in the ear for approximately five MMS.
- You can use white vinegar if apple cider vinegar isn’t available but it’s more effective.
St. Johns Wort
St. John’s wort is a fantastic anesthetic for the treatment of any pain related to an ear infection. Follow directions on the packet or bottle.
Lemon Balm
Fenugreek
- Another awesome home remedy for an ear infection is soaking fenugreek seeds into any sort of natural oil and then warming it up a bit.
- After doing that, let it cool and then you can filter the oil and tip it into your ears.
- Use approx four or five drops for each of your ears.
- This should eliminate any pain.
Olive oil
Olive oil can also help you to get rid of ear infections. This process is also really simple. All you need to do is warm a small amount of oil a bit and put some drops of it into the infected ear. It will soften the wax inside the ear. Then you can make use of cotton-tipped swabs to remove the infected wax very easily.