Earache: natural remedies

It may happen, after taking a plane ride or a bath, to feel pain in the ears. Earache is actually a very common disorder that can have other causes than those mentioned above, for example it can be due to:

• presence of foreign bodies
• excess earwax
• injury to the eardrum
• inflammation of the outer ear (also called otitis externa) caused by bacteria and other microorganisms
• inflammation of the middle ear (also called otitis media)
• respiratory tract disorders affecting the throat and tonsils (the typical symptoms associated with a flu)
• dental problems and disorders of the jaw

Several reasons for earache

In short, there are really several reasons that can cause ear pain; therefore, a medical diagnosis can enlighten us on the remedies to consider to put an end to our ailment.

In fact, a’bacterial infection of the middle ear, external ear canal or throat, is generally treated with antibiotic.

In the case of viral infection, instead, pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be prescribed.

However, there are also natural remedies that can be considered against earache:

• Onion compresses, effective for providing relief before seeing a doctor: it will be enough to chop an onion, put it in a warm cotton cloth and hold it over the ear
• keep a cloth with boiling salt in contact with the ear: it will be enough to heat double salt and put it inside a cloth or sock and place it over the ear, holding it for a few minutes
• warm oil (baby oil or Vaseline oil): put one or two drops of oil in the ear that hurts; avoid this remedy if you think the eardrum is ruptured or perforated
• Hollow wax candles, specific to the ear, to be lit after inserting them into the external ear canal, and to be used with caution, of course

homeopathic remedies such as Verbascum, Chamomilla, Aconitum, Dulcamara, Sulfu, Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Capsicum odbis or Apis; before taking them, it is advisable to seek advice from the pharmacist.