How to Fix an Earache
Earaches have many causes, almost all of them painful for the patient. There may be sharp, stabbing pains or a dull ache extending into your head and sinuses.
Earaches have many causes, almost all of them painful for the patient. There may be sharp, stabbing pains or a dull ache extending into your head and sinuses. Earaches can be experienced in one or both ears, sometimes develop into a chronic condition and may be caused by an infection, a foreign object, insect that becomes lodged in the ear, buildup of wax and high altitude or a change in air pressure. Painful earaches need treatment regardless of the cause to avoid long-term hearing loss and deeper, chronic conditions from developing.
How to Fix an Earache
Step 1
Take a decongestant, suggests Family Doctor.org, if you feel pressure and stuffiness in the sinuses along with the earache. Sometimes a decongestant relieves pressure around the ear canal even if you don't have a sinus infection. Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about which one to take and the recommended dose needed for your condition. The side effects of decongestants can include an increase in blood pressure and heart rate as well as insomnia, nervousness and anxiety. Contact your doctor and discontinue use if you experience any of these symptoms.
Step 2
Make eardrops from organic apple cider vinegar, or ACV, recommends Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, in his book, "Alkalinize or Die." ACV is great for treating inflammation. Heat the vinegar to body temperature in a microwave or on the stove. Test on the inside of your wrist first before putting in the ear. Drop a few drops into the ear, and cover with a piece of cotton. The vinegar can also be applied by dipping a cotton swab into the warm liquid and gently painting the inside of the outer ear canal. Do not insert the swab into the ear. Make sure to use only organic vinegar.
Step 3
Use hydrogen peroxide in the ear for relief from earache recommends Jethro Kloss in his book, "Back to Eden." Place 2-to-3 drops into the ear while lying with the affected ear upward. Remain in this position for about 10 minutes and you should experience relief.
Step 4
Chew a piece of gum. This is a great trick for relieving the pressure in eustachian tubes when flying in an airplane, but it also brings relief when you wake in the middle of the night feeling the same kind of pressure. The muscular action of chewing relieves the pressure. Do not chew gum while lying down in bed and remember to spit it out before going to sleep.
Step 5
Hold your nose. If you earache is the result of flying at high altitudes on a plane, the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery suggests pinching your nostrils shut. "Take a mouthful of air and then, using your cheek and throat muscles, force the air into the back of your nose as if you were trying to blow your fingers off the end of your nose. A pop will tell you when you have equalized the pressure inside and outside your ear." Be very careful when "blowing" not to put too much pressure on the eardrums as they can rupture.
Tip
Depending on the kind of pain your are experiencing, you may combine several of these techniques for additional relief.
warning
Never put liquids in an ear where there is a suspected ruptured eardrum.
The information offered here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice.