I have always suffered from ear aches during the cold windy season, and if I am swimming (I had repeated infections when I was in my teens). My doctor has recommended that I clear my ears by sucking in and pushing out to make the muscles below the ear work out.
Each time I feel an earache coming on, I repeat these exercises and it works wonderfully. No more aspirin, no more sleepless nights.
Try it!
Source: Dr Rusca
By Nerida from Switzerland
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I've had some colds/bronchitis recently (still have a cough) and now one of my ears is completely plugged up. I've tried the Murine Ear Wax Removal, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Alcohol, but so far nothing has worked. Anyone have any suggestions or do I need to see the doctor? Thanks.
I can usually unstop my ears with warm water, peroxide and an ear bulb. I just keep compressing and squirting water in my ear until it opens up. Sometimes it takes 4 or 5 times. But, my husband has had times when his ear would not open up not matter what he used.
If you have bronchitis, you really need to see the doctor before it goes into your chest. My daughters have this often and the longer you wait, the worse it gets.
If it is just your ears that are stopped up, saline solution sprayed into your nose will help clear up your ears. You might need to spray it a couple of times, then remember to use it when needed. It beats having to take a decongestant and feel bad while it works.
A year and a half ago, I had a really bad cold that plugged up my ears for several weeks. Nothing would make them pop. After a couple of rounds of antibiotics to clear the ear infections that had settled in, one ear popped, but the other stayed stubbornly plugged up. My primary doctor referred me to a specialist, and that is when it was discovered that I have a genetic hearing loss!
Hey there!
At our house, most things are handled by "Dr. Mom", and she has found out through a friend that oregano oil works wonders. I buy the capsules and if you take it three times a day while ill, it'll kick most things in short order. It works particularly well for upper respiratory problems, or sinus issues. Try it, and if it's particularly bad, take grape seed extract at the same time.
Good Luck!
Go to a health food store and buy a Neti Pot, or a sinus irigation pot. They are wonderful for colds, allergies, and the like. Every time I use mine, my eustachian tubes open. I've gotten off all meds and feel so much better. We even had to get my husband one of his own, since after using mine, he refused to give it back. Stay away from dairy--it'll may your problem much worse.
I too would like to share my recent experience with ear fullness as recently as Labour Day weekend 2008. I woke up in the middle of the night to a resounding ringing in both ears, sharp pains, and fullness fairly mild in my right ear but completely full in left ear. My ears were red, nose was congested and I had an headache from ear-to-ear. If I covered my right ear it was almost as if someone was trying to talk to me from behind a brick wall. I consulted with a doctor at a walk-in clinic and they diagnosed my situation as a severe sinus cold, which sounded reasonable as my wife was coming off a cold that she caught from my daughter, who likely got it from some other child at her daycare facility. The headache, eye issues and nose congestion went away but I had a terrible sensation of ear fullness in my left ear that left me unable to sleep at night because of it. What was prescribed to me to combat this was an antibiotic called Biaxin, which contains clarithromycin, for a 7 day period.
"Hold the nose and close mouth and blow really hard seemed to work for my daughter, so far one ear is unplugged, we'll keep trying for the other ear. "
This is HORRIBLE advice. DO NOT DO THIS ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN. It may feel like you are unplugging your ears, but doing this can cause a very serious outer ear infection, which is untreatable with antibiotics, very painful, and can last up to 4 weeks. Unfortunately I know from experience. Watch where you get your medical advice! You can also damage your eardrum permanently doing this!
I have a really bad ear ache. It is so bad, my teeth feel like its aching too. What do I do?
By alissa from Erie, PA
Take 5 drops of tea tree oil an 6 drops of sweet oil or olive oil mix well. Put it in the ear stop pain and infections.
Have it examined to rule out Temporomandibular Disorder, the deranged jaw joint problem. There's only 1/8" between ear canal and that joint, and pushing on it that way can be diagnostic. Long time dental hygienist, Kim
I have a bad earache on the left side of my face and swollen gland on the left as well. My face is very tender and sore on left side and I keep getting an odd shooting pain in my face and ear. What should I do?
By Claire
It sounds like you scratched your ear and got an infection. Go to the doctor for some antibiotics! In the mean time you can lay with the swollen side up and soak your ear with peroxide, then blow dry it. The warm air will feel good, and keeping your ear dry is important.
It sounds like you might have an abcessed tooth . Sometimes a toothache can cause your face to swell and you will have pain in your ear and your entire face . Good luck .
I have suffered ear aches for about 5 years, ever since I had mono. My left ear will ache with the slightest cold breeze, along with the right but not as much. It is a deep inside ache. When I caught mono, I was sleeping next to a cold window in winter with my left side next to the window (makes sense my left ear is the bad one). If it is cold outside and I don't wear a hat, they hurt. If I clean my ears with a q-tip, the next day they hurt. I also get vertigo when the ear pain is bad. If I have a sore throat, it is worse on the left side.
When I had mono, my lymph nodes were very swollen in the back of my neck, worse on the left side. Ever since then I have neck pain and stiffness and aching, all on the left side primarily. I will see a ENT doctor very soon. What do you think? I ask because I currently have a bad left ear ache with off and on strong to slight vertigo, and a slight sore throat. My left tonsil was clogged, I had never had that, and I removed the yucky clog yesterday.
By Andi from Hubbardston, MA
I've had some of your problems. I had recurring mono for three falls in a row (last year of high school, and first two years of college). That was 20 years ago. I can't sleep with air blowing on me, because I'll get an earache/sore throat. But I've been like that since I was a kid. And I get those icky things in the back of my throat; it's worse when I've got active sinus issues. There is one spot that I can just feel when it's happening, so I go take a q-tip and can work it out. I asked about it at the Dentist's office, and they didn't sound too terribly concerned. The hygienist's husband has the same problem. I kind of wish my tonsils were removed when I was a kid, but that's one of those things . . .
I had a lot more problems with earaches and sore throats when I was in my mid-20's. My wisdom teeth came in, and two were severely impacted. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was constantly getting infections from them. I just thought I was always catching something. Since I had all four wisdom teeth removed, I've had FAR fewer earaches/sore throats. So, if you haven't had yours removed, it's something to think about.
I can't really offer anything else. Just that I understand some of what you're going through. I think that, over the years, I've just learned to cope (like, in the winter, I make sure I keep my sheet pulled up over my ear so cold air won't hit it). I hope that your ENT is very thorough and can offer some help. Let us know how it goes!
Only you can tell when you need to see a doctor, but nowadays I understand some doctors are recommending garlic oil for earache in children to avoid using so many antibiotics. This is how I make it for my great grand baby.
Take some nice fresh garlic cloves and crush them well. Put in your normal cooking oil, any kind in jar with lid.Let sit at least an hour on counter, and after that you can refrigerate. To use, strain out a little oil into bowl or cup and sit cup or bowl in another container of hot water, like a small pan of water which had been brought to boil and taken off burner. Use qtips which are soaked in warm oil and let it drip into ear, rather than poking it into ear. After a few days, take garlic out of oil in fridge and just keep oil capped.
You could microwave on 5=6 seconds, but garlic is supposed to be semi antibiotic and I don't know if that effect would be neutralized with microwaves, so I just use the old fashioned water bath method.After oil is in ear, I put in a little wad of soft cotton just until it stops being drippy.
Does a warm hot water bottle work? Or warm pack.
Several things:
first go to earthclinic.com and look up earaches and mono in the ailments list.
next consider that the lymph system is involved here. I would look for help for the lymph system. Some strong anti-virals/anti bacterials may be in order--grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf, and MMS may help you get rid of this. Many use hydrogen peroxide for ear troubles. Whatever you do, consider holistic-all natural treatments to minimize side effects and actually get results. Drugs tend to treat one symptom and give you several others. Meanwhile the source of the problem does not get addressed.
Good luck to you. I would start with 5-6000 mg Vitamin C, apple cider vinegar and grapefruit seed extract. All this available at a health food store/grocery store and the internet at a site like vitanetonline.com or vitacost.com.
Take care of yourself and good luck to you. Mono is the pits, I had it in college.
DO NOT mess with this. Mono is a strep infection, it can recur and it can lead to deafness (my grandmother became deaf after this infection), it also can lead to liver damage if you don't take care of it. It could also be something else. Yes, go to the doctor, don't try natural remedies until everything serious is checked out. I have severe sinus problems and need to irrigate my nasal passages a few times a week and take antihistamines etc due to allergies. This could be as simple as that or it could be strep, mono or anything else. Let your doctor diagnose and get something done once and for all. Good luck:)
When you see the doctor, you might want to ask him to check your vitamin D levels. Many people are too low in this, especially in the colder months. It will really boost your immunity to get the level up near the high end of the normal range. Research it online and see what others say. I know I've been sick much less since taking it! D3 is one of the cheapest supplements over the counter.
My daughter had recurring earaches, and it turned out to be scar tissue on her ear drum, caused by an infection. The doctor inserted a tube through the scar tissue, and the earaches stopped. After a few years, the tube fell out on it's own.
If your left tonsil is infected, you probably have bacteria entering the eustachian tube on your left side, causing an inner ear infection in the left ear. An ENT is the best doctor to take care of the problem. It might be related to your past problems with mono, or not. It may just be the angle of your eustachian tube (not allowing it to drain well), or it may be an oncoming sinus infection, maybe allergies--it could be lots of things. Doctors always say that sickness hits your weakest point.
In any case, you know where your problem is, so take precautions to wear earplugs or cotton when outside and keep your left side covered. As we travel through life, we all experience lots of changes, most of which we wish had not occurred. Remember that old saying, "You never know what you have, until it's gone." I've found that regularly using a Neti pot works wonders for sinus, ear, allergy, colds, drainage, etc, problems. Hope everything ends well for you.
Tonight my ear just feels hollow and liquidy if that makes sense. Hmm...
Try heating a little baby oil and add a few drops at a time while still warm. Some doctors tell you to do exercises where you lie at the edge of the bed and let your head hang and move your head in circular motion. I think it's got to do with balance. Yoga will help. Goodluck.
My 10 year old has an ear ache. Tylenol is not working. I have no heating pads and no rice to make one. What can I do for him?
By Kristin C.
Here is a trick that they taught me on a flight when my daughter was young; I used it after that many, many times. They took a paper cup (you use one that you have) that it closest to the fit of out side of the ear. In the bottom put paper towel (use a rag) that is wet but rung out.
They put it in the microwave long enough to heat the water making steam. Put cup over the ear the steam seem to always help. Make sure all of the water is absorbed. You can keep repeating this over and over. Steam helps, I'm sure the flight attendants had more ear aches then I had to deal with.
The other thing I did with my youngest was put heated oil (olive, baby, mineral) in his ear, immediately had him lay on the that side, (so it drained out not getting into the ear drum). I wouldn't do this without a Dr. saying it was OK. Daniel was special needs so we always was having to do different things with him.
Have you thought of heating a towel or something like that in the microwave (or oven); using it like a heating pad. I can remember hot water bottles working better for me than heating pads many times. Just be careful not too hot.
Good luck, I pray one of these work. Steam would be 1st, if you don't have a microwave just use hot water. Hot enough to create the steam.
Your son's earache could be cause by fluid in his ears, also known as "swimmer's ear". It's not just from swimming, it could also be caused by water getting in his ear while showering or bathing. Here is a link to a site that has a recipe for homemade ear drops for relieving swimmer's ear: www.ehow.com/
An ear infection can cause temporary hearing problems. Temporary speech and language problems can also occur. If left untreated, these problems can become more serious. An untreated ear infection may lead to permanent hearing impairment.
Above information was taken from the website.
ear.emedtv.com/
NEVER PUT YOUR CHILD/CHILDREN'S HEALTH OR SAFETY IN HARMS-WAY TO SAVE MONEY!
I surely hope that there are others that feel the same way that I do.
He needs a doctor. Home remedies won't help and may allow him to get worse.
I think you should take your child to the doctor if he has an unexplained ear ache and the pain is so severe that you can't relieve it with Tylenol. If you live in Canada, there is no reason not to take this child to a doctor. If you live in the US, and you are not covered by some health insurance, surely there is some place that will provide care for your child!
What could I do to make my ear ache go away?
By Stephanie from Savannah, TN
Forget about home remedies, and get to a doctor. You could have an infection, requiring antibiotics, which could cause you to lose part or all of your hearing in that ear, unless you treat it.
Where ear infections are concerned, you only have a very SMALL window of treatment opportunity--about two weeks, according to my ENT specialist--before permanent damage can take place.
So please, get to a doctor quickly.
I use a homeopathic ear drop that is made for children. It's called Similasan Children's Earache Relief. You can buy it at any drug store, and sometimes in Wal-mart.
I have done this for years and it works. Get some Vicks put a tiny dab on a small cotton ball remember just a little warm it up not hot put inside the ear then rub some around the outside of the ear. I have done this on my kids and grand kids. That little bottle of Vicks is a miracle worker. I use it for all things. I keep it my medicine cabinet with a can of snuff, that's good for insect bites.
I used to have a lot of trouble with ear aches which was due to what they call swimmer's ear and which didn't start until I was in my 30's. I seldom swim, but have lived in a humid climate since my 30's. A family doctor recommended homemade ear drops of half alcohol and half vinegar to help keep my ears dry. I also use ear wax removal every month or two to keep my ears clear of the excessive wax that I have always had to contend with!
The MD told me years ago, while treating son for swimmer's ear, that if you put the corner of the towel in the ear after swimming,showering that will draw out any water. She also said that girls don't get as many swimmer's ears because of the use of blow dryers - so she told the boys to carefully use the hand dryer in the locker room after swimming. No more problems and that was about 7 years ago! Good luck -and I agree with "get to an MD". You don't want to mess up your hearing or deal with pain any longer than necessary!
If not too deep, use straight Peroxide drops several times a day, plug with cotton after a few minutes. Stop eating/drinking all milk and by products, including dips, cheese, butter, ice cream, yogurt, and salad dressings, as you may have developed a milk sensitivity and the WHEY in all those products is mucogenic (causes mucous in membranes like the sinus which drains into the throat and sometimes gets infected by trapping bacteria/virus which then can get into the ear). If you are sensitive now, it makes reactions worse, slower to heal. Keep hands and nails extra clean, especially before treating or touching ear, even cotton balls. Wash hair brushes, hair, pillowcases, and get a new toothbrush. All can contribute to any infection in the head.
I suggest taking over the counter Guafinesin (1-2 days as directed on box if not taking RX) expectorant, because it inadvertently also decongests other mucous membrane areas, don't know why. Also, take one strong Tylenol every 4 hours for 1-2 days until pain is gone and you no longer need relief.
Put no q-tips, or other instruments or pencils into the ear EVER to "scratch what itches" as we all do from time to time, sometimes without even thinking, because they are not sterile and can infect ears easily at any time. Also, stop eating popcorn, cheap crackers, cheap buttery products because there is some type of chemical in spray butter, which they also use before making fast food burgers, that gets into our mucous and plugs the ears. It took me years to figure it out.
If you have a fever, forget this and go to the doctor, if not, it is likely what will work for you, even after seeing a doctor. I'm not medically trained, just an experienced elder who prefers natural healing where possible, not eliminating all meds, but reducing the heavy dependency on them!
God bless, heal and help you. : )
My husband had wax build up and we went to the local health food store and bought an ear candle it helps melt the wax.
Right now I have mono and I have a really bad ear infection in my right ear. It hurts so bad, every time I cough, swallow, etc.
I get this sharp pain on the inside of my right ear. What can I use to help with the pain?ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Can you tell me what to do for the relief of an earache from getting bathwater in the ear?
You know how you put your finger in your ear and wiggle it as if to get water out or something like that. Well I did that and got a quick throbbing pain.
I've had this earache for a week and it hurts. I can't hear very much and it hurts when I burp. There was some bleeding but that stopped.
