No matter what age, earaches can be incredibly painful, sometimes excruciating. While earaches are most common among children and teens, adults can also suffer from this pain. Since children are exposed to more germs, they tend to suffer from earaches more often. Their immune systems are also still developing, so it can be more painful for them when they have an earache. When you hear your child cry “My ear hurts really bad”, you'll want to know what to do quickly to relieve them from this pain.

How to Deal with Painful Earache at Home

While earaches can be painful and annoying in most cases, there is no need to visit the doctors. Most eat pains can be treated from the comfort of your home. The following home remedies can help you find relief from ear pain without having to visit the doctor's office.
1

Warm compresses

Holding a warm compress over the ear can help relieve and reduce pain in the ear. This method will also help reduce any swelling that may be present. Some ear pains can be the result of it being too cold, a warm compress can greatly reduce this type of an earache.

2

Pain medications

Most adults can take ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve earache pain. This, however, should not be given to children under the age of eighteen. Before given younger children any type of pain medication, a pediatrician should be contacted first.

3

Warm olive oil

Warmed olive oil is said to help relieve ear pains. You will need a clean bottle with a narrow tip to drip a few drops of the warm oil inside the ear that is infected. Once you have placed a few drops in the ear, you will want to plug the ear and allow the oil to sit and work on the infected war without coming out.

4

Keep the nasal passage clear

If your child is complaining to you that "my ear hurts really bad" and they also have a stuffy nose, the ear pain can be due to a cold. This is because the ear can be feeling pressure from the congested nasal passage. Keeping the nasal passage clear can help relieve some of the ear pain as well in this kind of condition.

5

Onion paste

If there is swelling to the ear that is causing pain, an onion paste can be used to help reduce the pain. Make a paste using onion powder and water and apply it to the outer region of the ear.

6

Garlic and mullein

Garlic oil and mullein flower oil can be used as an alternative to olive oil. Combining these two ingredients can help reduce inflammation in the ear. This combination also supplies the area with powerful compounds that can fight off microbes that cause many diseases which can be causing pain in the ear.

7

Lavender

If there is pain in the outer region of the ear, lavender oil can be used to help alleviate pain. Just rub a few drops of lavender oil on the area a few times a day to feel relief from the pain.

8

Relieve pressure

Wiggling or yawning can help children find relief from ear pain. Wiggling the ear can help pop the Eustachian tubes where pressure can build up. By popping these tubes, you allow fluids to drain from the ear that may be trapped. The next time you hear your child complain "my ear hurts really bad", have them yawn and see if they feel relief.

9

Eucalyptus

Earaches can be the result of fluid being accumulated in the nasal passage. You can use hot steam with eucalyptus to open the nasal passage and feel relief. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a hot bowl of water and inhale the steam. This will allow the nasal passage to open and reduce pressure on the ear.

10

Vitamins

Vitamins A, C, and E can help fight off ear aches that arise because of colds. These vitamins give the immune system a boost, making it more effective at fighting off the cold.

11

Exercises

Certain jaw exercises can help reduce pain in the ear. Rapidly moving the jaw up and down every other day can help keep the ear canals open, which will result in less pain.

12

Keep objects out of the ear

You should not put anything in the ear. Sharp objects, dirt and even cotton swabs should not be put in the ear.

When to Seek Medical Help

Swimmer's ear, injury to the ear canal, earwax buildup, airplane ear, problems with the wisdom teeth and other infection can be causing severe ear pain. Each of these infections can cause different types of pains and can change over time. If home remedies do not help relieve the pain, you might need to seek medical attention.

If your child has stated over and over "my ear hurts really bad" and exhibits other symptoms, you will want to call 911 or your doctor right away.

Your child may need immediate medical attention and you should call 911 if:

  • They are weak or unable to move.

  • If you feel this could be a life-threatening issue.

You should call a doctor immediately is:

  • The pain persists even after 2 hours after taken a pain medication.

  • The area behind the ear is pink or red and swollen.

  • The neck is stiff and you are unable to touch the chin to the chest.

  • Sharp object was put in the ear.

  • The person suffers from a weakened immune system.

  • The person has a fever over 104 degrees.

  • The child is acting incredibly sick.

Call a doctor in a day or two if:

  • The ear ache is persistent with no other symptoms.

  • Discharge coming from the ear.

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