“There’s no scientific data to support home remedies [for ear infections], but they may be soothing, and there could be a placebo effect,” says otolaryngologist Matthew Bush, MD, an assistant professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery with University of Kentucky Health Care in Lexington. The good news about these strategies? They won’t harm you — and they might do just the trick.
Ear “popping.” Close your mouth, hold your nostrils, and try to breathe out through your nose, recommends otolaryngologist Austin Rose, MD, director of the pediatric rhinology, allergy and sinus surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. You should hear or feel a small pop, similar to the pressure change sensation you feel when changing altitude, like in a plane or on a mountain. Dr. Rose explains that the ability to pop your ears is healthy — in fact, it’s “vital for scuba divers and pilots.” It shouldn’t hurt, so if it does, try again after you’ve given other strategies a chance to work.A moist compress. To make a warm compress, soak a washcloth in warm water, squeeze out the excess water, fold it into a rectangle, and hold it over your ear. The warmth and moisture can help loosen congestion in your ear. You can also use cold water for a cool compress if you have a fever.Steam. Similar to moist heat, steam is especially effective at clearing up congestion. Try taking a steamy shower or bath or inhaling the steam from a large bowl of water. (Put a towel over your head to make a tent as you lean over the bowl.)Gargling with saltwater. Since ear pain can occasionally be related to a sore throat, gargling with warm saltwater could help ease your symptoms, Rose says. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends.Vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If you have swimmer’s ear, this mixture can help reduce the pain, Dr. Bush says. Prepare a solution of half vinegar and half rubbing alcohol and use a dropper to put the liquid into your ear canal. (Just be sure you don’t have a tympanostomy tube or a hole in your eardrum and that you stop if you feel discomfort.) This mix is also useful to prevent swimmer’s ear if you use it after getting out of the pool, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
Rose and Bush agree that over-the-counter pain medications can help you feel better. If you have allergies, getting away from any triggers that cause congestion, which leads to ear infections, may also provide some relief, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Though ear infections and ear pain often get better with time and care, others need more aggressive treatment. If you’ve tried all these remedies for a day or two, and you still have pain and fever, both experts agree that it’s time to call the doctor. And since ear pain can be caused by other conditions besides an ear infection, you might need your doctor’s help to determine what’s causing the ache. “Occasionally we see serious complications with ear infections,” Rose says. He emphasizes that immediate medical care is needed if your ear pain is accompanied by facial weakness, high fever, seizure, or bloody discharge from the ear, or if the ear pain sufferer is a baby. For children, repeat ear infections also carry the risk of hearing loss and speech problems, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, so it’s important to visit a doctor if ear pain or infection recurs.
