Home Remedies for Ear Pain: 10 Best Methods for Quick Relief

Dr. Ashil Manavadaria

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Ashil Manavadaria

Ent

6 min read

Synopsis

Anyone who has had ear pain understands how irritating it is. It's difficult to bear the discomfort. In addition, one or both ears may be affected by this pain which might last only for a short time or persist longer. 

Key Takeaways

  • Children between six months and two years are more prone to ear infections
  • Children who stay at home rather than the ones in group care are more likely to develop colds and ear infections
  • Compared to breastfed infants, babies who drink from a bottle, especially when lying down, get ear infections

Various home remedies for ear pain exist, but what is the reason behind such pain? When the Eustachian tube in the ear becomes clogged and fills with fluid, it causes pressure behind the eardrum or an ear infection, which might result in ear pain.

Adult ear pain is hardly due to an ear infection. Instead, it is primarily due to discomfort from other body parts, such as the teeth, jaw, or neck, which you feel in the ears.  

The following conditions can induce ear pain: 

  • Throat discomfort 
  • Infection of the sinuses 
  • Infection of the teeth 
  • Ear infection, either short-term or long-term 
  • Jaw osteoarthritis 
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder 
  • Ear injury caused by pressure fluctuations, such as high altitudes, etc.  
  • Wax buildup in the ear 
  • Swimmer's ear (infection of the outer ear and ear canal), commonly known as otitis externa, is a kind of an ear infection 
  • Medial otitis (infection of the middle ear) 
  • External otitis cancerous (infection and damage of the bones of the ear canal and skull) 
  • Meniere's disease (It is an inner ear ailment that produces a spinning sensation (vertigo), mild-to-moderate hearing loss, tinnitus, pain, and pressure in the ear) 
  • Cholesteatoma (It is an abnormal cluster of skin cells deep within your ear)

The following can induce ear discomfort in children or infants: 

  • Infection of the ear 
  • Shampoo or soap in the ear 
  • Cotton-tipped swabs may irritate the ear canal 
Home Remedies for Ear Pain

Ear discomfort may be unpleasant and distressing. You may find yourself looking for a solution to lessen this discomfort since it can be difficult to bear. Here are some home remedies for ear pain that have already proven themselves to be beneficial. Check them out to see if they help. 

Garlic 

Garlic is a herb often used to cure several ailments owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.[1] It is also efficient against a variety of germs. To treat ear discomfort, consume one clove of crushed garlic daily or combine garlic with coconut oil and massage it around the ear. Please do not put garlic in your ears, as it may cause damage.

Ginger 

Ginger can be used as a home remedy for ear pain as it has several uses as a home treatment for a variety of ailments. Ginger extracts are potent and help alleviate inflammation and discomfort.[2] Apply a small amount of ginger juice around the ear. It should not be used inside the ear or as an ear drop.

Tulsi  

Tulsi is called the 'Elixir of Life' in Ayurveda since it is helpful to treat a variety of ailments. It is also known as holy basil, a fragrant herb with medical properties. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties as well as other medicinal properties. Tulsi can be used as ear drops to relieve ear pain. To make tulsi ear drops, crush a few tulsi leaves to extract the juice; this liquid may then be used as ear drops. Please consult your doctor before inserting it into your ear.

Avartani  

Avartani is also known as the Indian screw tree and Marod phali in Hindi, which is used as one of the home remedies for ear pain. Even Ayurveda mentions the usage of Avartani for ear pain. The herb has restorative powers and is used to treat a variety of conditions other than ear pain. Crushed pods are helpful in subsiding ear pain. You can heat Avartani in hot oil and use it as an ear drop.

Ajwain  

Ajwain is also known as Yavani in Ayurveda. It aids in treating ear discomfort, making it one of the most popular home remedies for ear pain. To make the medicine, combine a few ajwain seeds with a few garlic cloves and cook in a little bit of sesame oil. It is necessary to heat the oil until the components turn crimson. The oil should then be filtered and administered to the ear as drops. Please consult a doctor before inserting anything into your ear.

Til (Sesame)  

In English, til is called sesame or gingelly oil seeds. This seed is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Til is a good home remedy and provides relief from ear pain. It softens ear wax, which aids in keeping the ear clean. A little amount of til oil and a few smashed garlic cloves should be warmed. Externally, a few drops of lukewarm oil can be rubbed on the ear to ease ear pain.

Ear Pain

Hot or Cold Compress  

It is the most effective home remedy for ear pain due to colds. You can reduce ear discomfort by compressing it with a hot or cold pack. There is no particular temperature to be maintained, so use whatever temperature you feel comfortable with. Cover the hot or cold object you're using for compression in a towel to keep it from getting too hot or cold. You can alternate between hot and warm compresses every ten minutes.

Altering Sleeping Position  

Home remedies for ear pain also include maintaining a comfortable sleeping position. Ear discomfort can be relieved by reducing pressure on the ear. For example, you could rest your head on two or more pillows and keep your head higher than your body. You should also avoid sleeping on the affected ear's side. For example, if you have an infection in your right ear, you should try sleeping on your left side.

Hydrogen peroxide 

For a long time, hydrogen peroxide has been beneficial as a natural cure for ear pain. 

Insert 5-10 drops, then rest on your side for ten minutes, letting the sore ear face up. Then, drain and rinse with cold water over the sink. Don't be scared by the bubbles; they might aid in removing ear wax from the canal. 

Neck Exercises 

Ear pain can also be due to stiff muscles around the ear canal that put pressure. If this is the case, several basic neck exercises can be used as home remedies for ear pain. 

For example, during the day, progressively rotate the neck and head and move the shoulders toward the ears. 

Points To Be Noted

While putting a cotton swab or rubbing your finger to relieve discomfort may seem appealing, it usually causes more damage than good. Due to the complex construction of the ear, penetration of objects or excessive scratching may damage the internal parts of the ear, resulting in ear infection, wound, or a medical emergency. So, do not try these and rely only on home remedies for ear pain.

As a result, it is only prudent to thoroughly examine the related symptoms and use appropriate home remedies for ear infections based on the actual source of the pain. However, if the discomfort persists, visit an ENT professional immediately.

Fluid buildup in the ear canals can cause sharp or dull discomfort in one or both ears. This increased pressure might be the source of your ear pain. It may happen to both children and adults. Discomfort can be caused by various conditions, including swimmer's ear, otitis media, tooth pain, jaw arthritis, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The soreness usually subsides on its own. Try a few ear pain treatments at home, such as garlic, ginger, tulsi, and a hot or cold compress to reduce the discomfort. If these home remedies for ear pain don't seem to be impactful or any severity arises, you should always discuss it with an expert. You can consult a doctor at Bajaj Finserv Health; they listen to your every problem and treat you with great care. Contact Bajaj Finserv Health immediately to fix an appointment. 

Published on 22 Nov 2022Last updated on 12 Apr 2023
  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/

Please note that this article is solely meant for informational purposes and Bajaj Finserv Health Limited (“BFHL”) does not shoulder any responsibility of the views/advice/information expressed/given by the writer/reviewer/originator. This article should not be considered as a substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your trusted physician/qualified healthcare professional to evaluate your medical condition. The above article has been reviewed by a qualified doctor and BFHL is not responsible for any damages for any information or services provided by any third party.

Dr. Ashil Manavadaria

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Ashil Manavadaria

, MBBS 1 , MS - ENT 3

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