Not all ear infections are bacterial or need prescription medication. You may be able to relieve ear pain with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.
Earaches can be debilitating, but they don’t always warrant antibiotics. Prescribing guidelines for ear infections have changed in the last five years. Your child might not even be prescribed antibiotics.
In fact, you could find all the relief you need in your home with treatments such as:
over-the-counter pain relievers
cold or warm compresses
olive oil
neck exercises
ginger
garlic
hydrogen peroxide
Here are 10 home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for earaches.
What makes earache pain go away?
The following 10 remedies may help you relieve your pain. That said, treatment can depend on the cause, so you may want to see your doctor first.
1. Over-the-counter pain relievers
You can useTrusted Source over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to control pain associated with a painful type of ear infection called acute otitis media (AOM).
They’re safe to use with or without antibiotics, but be sure to follow the dosing instructions on the label. These medications can also help lower a fever.
Talk with your doctor about the appropriate dose for children. Children and infant versions are available for many OTC pain relievers. It’s unsafe for children under age 16 to take aspirin.
2. Cold or warm compresses
People often use ice packs or warm compresses, like a heating pad or damp washcloth, to relieve pain. The same can be done for ear pain. This method is safe for both children and adults.
Place the ice pack or warm compress over the ear and alternate between warm and cold after 10 minutes. If you prefer either cold or warm, you can use just one compress.
3. Olive oil
Olive oil has someTrusted Source antibacterial properties, though there’s no solid scientific evidence to prove that drops of olive oil in your ear canal can soothe ear pain. That said, putting a few warmed drops of olive oil in the ear is safe and may be worth a try.
It’s still a good idea to discuss this method with your doctor first, especially for children. Make sure the olive oil is no warmer than your body temperature by using a thermometer. This will help you avoid burning the eardrum.
4. Naturopathic drops
Naturopathic ear drops are made from herbal extracts. They can be found online and in some drug stores. An early study found that drops containing herbal extracts in a base of olive oil could be just as, or even more, effective as traditional OTC ear drops.
An old 2001 studyTrusted Source found that using these drops may lead to improvement in ear pain levels. That said, a 2019 study suggests that they don’t necessarily help when it comes to treating ear infections.
5. Chiropractic treatment
If you go to the chiropractor for adjustments, you may find that your appointment can soothe your earache as much as your back pain.
There aren’t many studies looking at the effectiveness of this. One older 2011 studyTrusted Source suggests it may help, though how it works isn’t understood. The effectiveness will also depend on the cause of your pain, so it’s a good idea to see a doctor first for a diagnosis.
6. Sleep without putting pressure on the ear
Some sleep positions will aggravate pain from ear infections, while some can help relieve it. Sleep with the affected ear raised instead of having it faced down toward the pillow. This can help the ear drain better if necessary.
You can also sleep with your head elevated by using extra pillows. This can also help the ears drain faster.
7. Ginger
Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can helpTrusted Source soothe pain from earaches. Apply ginger juice or strained oil that was warmed with ginger in it around the outer ear canal. Do not put it directly into the ear.
8. Garlic
Garlic has both antibiotic and pain-relieving properties. Soak crushed garlic for several minutes in warm olive or sesame oil. Strain the garlic out and apply the oil to the ear canal.
9. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a natural remedy for earaches, particularlyTrusted Source if the cause is wax buildup. To use this method of treatment, place several drops of hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear. Let it sit for several minutes before letting it drain into a sink. Rinse your ear with clean, distilled water.
10. Distraction
If it’s a child battling an earache, do your best to get them comfortable by taking their mind off the pain.
Causes
There are many possible causes of earache. Possible causes that are relatively commonTrusted Source include:
cavities
sinus infections
earwax
tonsillitis
teeth grinding
The most common ear infection is acute otitis media (AOM), or a middle ear infection.
It’s characterized by swollen and infected portions of the middle ear. The pain associated with AOM is caused by fluid becoming trapped behind the eardrum. Symptoms may include:
fever
pain inside the ear
slight hearing loss
feeling sick in general
Babies and children may be restless, cranky, and pull at their ears.
Fastest remedy to treat ear infection/ otitis media
🪴 Grind 250g of root bark of clausena anisata (CN: Horsewood) with a few grains of piper guineense and a little water. Put in a heated plantain leaf and tie loosely. I still 2-3 drops into affected ear twice daily till healed
