Ear pain is no fun, and so if you find yourself with an ear ache you may be wondering what you can do to get rid of it.
While ear aches and ear infections are most common amongst children because the passages in their respiratory system are smaller and thus more likely to become blocked, nearly anyone can find themselves with pain.
The first thing to do is to ask yourself what may be causing the pain. If you swim a lot for example, you may be suffering from Swimmer’s Ear, which is an infection caused by trapped water in the ears. If you have had a sinus infection or the usual common cold and flu symptoms, then that may also be contributing to your ear pain, as it could signal that your earache is caused by an infection.
It is important that if you are experiencing any pain, especially if accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, or other unexplained symptoms that you see a doctor. The only way you will be able to permanently stop it from hurting is to determine the cause and then fix the problem that is causing it. Letting it go or ignoring it could cause your problems to become much, much worse, or even damage your hearing, so it’s a good idea to not wait.
After you’ve seen the doctor and treatment has been discussed, there are a few options you can do to help relieve the pain.
Pain Relievers: There are a number of over the counter pain relievers that by now I am sure most people are familiar with, such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. While these will help relieve the aching temporarily, they are not to be used for long term use, since both types of pain relievers can cause problems when used for an extended period of time. Never give children aspirin either, as this can also cause severe health problems.
Over the Counter Drops: Visit any pharmacy or drug store and most likely you will be able to find some over the counter drops you can try to see if they help relieve your pain. While these offer some relief, again they cannot replace an accurate diagnosis and treatment from a medical doctor, especially if there is an infection that requires a prescription medication. Sweet oil, usually made from olive oil or almond oil can often help with pain and ear infections, but do so only after you have seen a doctor, since they can make it difficult for the doctor to see the ear drum.
Blow on Your Pillow: When I was younger, something my Dad would do anytime we had an ear infection was to have us blow on our pillow so it would be nice and warm and then lay our ear down on it. This isn’t a fix that lasts a long time, but it can help when you’ve already taken a pain killer medicine and are struggling to fall asleep.
Warm Towel: A towel run under hot water and then held up next to your ear can also sometimes help, especially if earwax is a problem for you, since this can help loosen it.
Relieve Sinus Pressure: Doing any of our home remedies for sinus infection can also be helpful if you think the pain is related to sinus congestion.
EFT, Shiatsu, and More: There are also a number of homeopathic methods that can sometimes work for relieving pain in the body, though it is hard to prove their scientific basis. However, these things can work, and so that may be another option to consider.
Avoid Dairy: For small children especially, recurring ear infections and ear pain can often be a result of eating dairy foods which cause mucous to thicken and the tube in their ear to become blocked or clogged.
If you suffer from ear pain and are looking for ways to get rid of ear infections for good, make sure you talk with your doctor about all of your concerns. You may also be interested in our article Could sinus problems Cause Hearing Loss?