Home Remedies for Ear Infections: Self Care & Home Treatment
Ear infections are primarily a disease of infants and young children but it can also affect adults. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 75% of children experience an ear infection at least once by the age of 3 and half of those children will have three or more ear infections within that time. Children are more at risk because their immune system is still developing and their Eustachian tubes are shorter than adult tubes which can cause them to plug easier.
Because ear infections can be serious, one should see a doctor but it is important to ask questions. According to WebMD, treating ear infections in children age 2 and older can differ depending on the doctor. Because it is hard to tell which ear infections will clear up on their own, some doctors will prescribe antibiotics for all cases. If the ear infection is not serious, other doctors will choose to observe for 48 hours without antibiotics. More than 80% of ear infections improve without treatment.
Allergies
Elimination of food allergens have shown dramatic effects in treating chronic ear infections. One study[1] found that 78% of childhood ear infections were associated with food allergies and that 86% of those children showed significant improvement when they eliminated allergic foods from their diet. It was also shown, in another study[2], that babies who breastfed for four months or more had fewer occurrences of ear infections than babies who bottle fed or babies who breast and bottle fed.
Foods most commonly known to cause allergies are cow’s milk, wheat, egg white, peanuts, soy, and corn. To determine what foods to avoid, an elimination/challenge diet is normally done. Some mothers who breastfeed may have to eliminate certain foods from their diet.
Allergies to dust or pollen can also be a cause of ear infections.
Remedies to Speed the Healing Process
Treating ear infections include relieving the pain and boosting the immune system so the body can fight off the infection.
• Rest is important.
• Keep the head elevated when lying down to help relieve pressure and promote drainage.
• Drink a lot of fluids when treating ear infections. Swallowing opens the Eustachian tubes so the fluid inside can drain.
• Apply a warm compress to the ear. This will provide comfort, improve blood circulation, and help promote fluid drainage. You can make a warm compress by heating 1 cup of salt in the microwave for a couple of minutes and dumping it in a clean sock.
• According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, echinacea is the most widely used Western herb for enhancing the immune system and is safe for children to use. Vitamin C also plays an important role in supporting the immune system.
• Gargle with warm salt water to open blocked ears.
• Garlic and onions have antibacterial properties and are both effective remedies when treating ear infections. Put 2-3 drops of garlic juice or onion juice in the affected ear.
• If breastfeeding, put 2 drops of breast milk in the affected ear.
• Add essential oils (eucalyptus, peppermint, and ginger) to a bowl of steaming hot water and inhale the steam. Use a towel to trap in the steam. All 3 of these oils are effective home remedies for ear infections.
When bottle feeding, it is best to keep your baby in an upright position. This will help prevent ear infections.
Fluid in the ear is normal after treating ear infections and may take a few months to clear up. If fluid remains after 3 months, medical treatment may be necessary.
In one study[3], only 42% of myringotomy tube insertions have been judged as being appropriate.
References
- [1] Annals Allergy 73 (1994): 215-9
- [2] Pediatrics 91 (1993): 867-72
- [3] JAMA 271 (1994): 1250-5
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