Ear Infection Home Remedies

Otitis media, or middle ear infections, are one of the most common early childhood problems. These ear infections aren't isolated only to the young, however. Although they're more common in children between infancy and four years of age (according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders), ear infections can be very difficult to detect in such small kids. Most ear infections will clear up on their own, but will cause many a restless night beforehand. Symptoms are similar in children and adults with ear infections. The biggest difference is that a child can't often tell you exactly what is bothering them, so you have to go through trial and error when treating them for anything. Babies will often cry, pull at their ears, or stick their fingers inside of their ears. Kids might complain of pain or burning in their ears, begin to have trouble sleeping, become less responsive to sounds, complain of headaches, get extremely more irritable, have a fever of 100 degrees F or higher, and you may also see clear fluid draining from their ear. Adults have the same symptoms, which may also be accompanied by dizziness and loss of balance.

You might be wondering exactly what causes ear infections in the first place. Usually, ear infections are a follow up to some type of viral infection. Colds and flu are often the main culprit in weakening the immune system, so that an ear infection can occur. The lining of the middle ear becomes swollen due to the viral infection of the sickness. This then causes fluid to build up behind the eardrum. The passages connecting the middle ear to the nose can also become blocked during illness, causing infection. These passages are called Eustachian tubes, and they are more narrow and short in children than they are in most adults. This is why ear infections are more common in young children. Swelling of the adenoids, which are those tissues located in the upper throat near the Eustachian tubes, can also cause ear infections. The adenoids usually have cells that help to fight off infections, but cause further problems when they become infected or enlarged themselves. Seasonal allergies, drafty and colder weather, exposure to second-hand smoke or other air pollutants, feeding babies while lying down, and a family history of ear infections are other factors in the risk as well.

White vinegar seems to be a widely used and effective home remedy for ear infections. A solution of half white vinegar, and half warm water poured into the ear and left to sit for five minutes is commonly used. The solution must then be drained by having the sufferer to turn on his or her side, by cleaning with a cotton swab, or allowing warm air to blow on the ear to dry it out. Sweet oil, or olive oil, is another home remedy which is supposed to be used by warming the oil slightly, allowing to sit inside of the ear for five minutes, and then draining. Many people swear by a mix of garlic and onion powders in warm water to sit in the ear for a few minutes and then draining accordingly. I have found the white vinegar to be the best solution for my infant daughter and myself. I just mix the vinegar with some slightly warmed water, which I get directly from the tap. I use a bulb syringe to squeeze the mixture into her ear as my husband holds her while she sleeps. I do this on both ears, and then clean with a cotton swab. I had my first ear infection a couple of months ago, and the prescriptions did not work at all. The vinegar has given me a lot of relief, and my ear infection has seemed to subside a great deal. All of the home remedies are known to have natural antibiotic properties. They will often kill fungal infections, which is what an ear infection is.

When treating any kind of ailment always use caution and common sense. None of the home remedies mentioned will cause harm if used properly. However, if the symptoms persist, you should go seek medical advice from a doctor. Most ear infections will clear up within three or four days to a much less noticeable pain. Those which are stubborn may require antibiotics, or draining. If you or your child has a persistently high fever, then an emergency room visit should be done. In the past, parents had only home remedies as a resource to curing many of their ailments as well as those of the children. These days, you have alternative medicines as well as the ones doctors will often prescribe. Which method you choose to treat your health concerns is a matter of choice for the individual.