Options for Ear Infection Pain Relief

Options for Ear Infection Pain Relief
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Ear infections are common occurrences in children, though they can affect adults as well. There are different locations in the ear that can be inflamed. Otitis media, or a middle ear infection, is the most common condition regarding the ear. A regular sign of an ear infection is pain in the ear. If the child is old enough, he can tell you where the discomfort is located. There are a few different types of ear infection pain relief that can be used to relieve the symptoms of the infection until it has been cleared up.

Over-the-Counter Relief

Many people start looking for ear infection pain relief in an over-the-counter medication. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen, or Tylenol, or ibuprofen, such as Motrin or Advil, an be given to those suffering from an ear infection. Aspirin is not advised for children under 2 years old, and may not be recommended for older children or teenagers due to its link with Reye’s syndrome.

Prescription Medications for Ear Infection Pain Relief

There are couple different types of medication that a doctor can prescribe for the pain associated with an ear infection. Aurodex is a common ear drop solution that can help to reduce the pain and discomfort. It is important that your doctor rule out any chances of a ruptured ear drum before prescribing the drops, as further damage could occur if used.

Antibiotics are also given if the ear infection is caused by a bacteria. Viral infections will not respond to antibiotics, so these cases will just need to be resolved on their own. The antibiotics themselves do little to act as ear infection pain relief, but they can speed up the recovery process. This can help shorten the amount of time the patient is uncomfortable.

Home Remedies for Ear Infection Pain

A common household remedy for ear infection pain is a warm compress. Heating up a wash cloth with warm water can help to relieve the discomfort. Leave the compress slightly moist, and reheat it every 10 minutes to keep it warm against the ear. This method can be used along with OTC medications to prolong or possibly preventing having to take the affected child or adult to the doctor as long as he/she does not have a fever higher than 102 degrees F.

It is believed that olive oil can help soothe pain from an ear infection. A couple of drops of the oil can be dripped into the affected ear twice a day. It is important that you speak to your doctor before you use this method. You should not put anything inside the ear without your doctor’s consent if there is a ruptured ear drum involved.

If there is a hole in the ear along with the infection, it may be recommended by a physician that you make ear drops using a diluted solution of vinegar and water. The correct amounts of each should be provided by the doctor.

Sources

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000638.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001644#adam_000619.disease.treatment

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ear-infections/DS00303/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs