Ear Infection Home Remedies - How to Get Rid of Ear Infection

Ear infection is common in children, but can occur at any age. Ear infection also called is Otitis media. Ear infection (say: in- fek -shun) happens when germs like bacteria and viruses get inside the body and cause trouble. A separate leaflet deals with infection of the ear canal (otitis externa).The middle ear space sometimes becomes filled with mucus (fluid), often during a 'cold. Occasionally an ear infection can lead to complications such as infection of the bone by the ear, and in rare cases meningitis ( swelling of the brain ) may develop. Ear infections are unlikely to cause permanent loss or impairment of hearing, but you may be referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist if the infections keep coming back. Another common symptom of ear infection, which your child may not have the words to express, is a feeling of fullness and pressure. This is caused by the excess fluid pushing against the eardrum. Ear consists of three major parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear includes the pinna--the visible part of the ear--and the ear canal. The outer ear extends to the tympanic membrane or eardrum, which separates the outer ear from the middle ear. The middle ear is an air-filled space that is located behind the eardrum. The middle ear contains three tiny bones, the malleus, incus, and stapes, which transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear contains the hearing and balance organs.

Cochlea contains the hearing organ which converts sound into electrical signals which are associated with the origin of impulses carried by nerves to the brain where their meanings are appreciated. Ear infections occur most frequently in the winter. Children with glue ear who have mucus behind their eardrum are more prone to ear infections. Sometimes an ear infection occurs 'out of the blue' for no apparent reason. Ear infection causes pain ( earache ). In infants, the clearest sign is often irritability and inconsolable crying. Many infants and children develop a fever or have trouble sleeping. Parents often think that tugging on the ear is a symptom of an ear infection, but studies have shown that the same number of children going to the doctor tug on the ear whether or not the ear is infected. The treatment for ear infections depends on the cause. Middle ear infections clear up without treatment in about three days. Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol can be taken to relieve any pain.Outer ear infections might be treated with lotions, creams, or ear-drops containing anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, or moisturising ingredients. These can be applied inside your ear canal on a special piece of gauze Children who keep getting ear infections might have tiny tubes called grommets put into their eardrums, to help fluid drain out of the ear. This is a common operation that usually takes about 20 minutes under a general anaesthetic . .

Home Remedies for Ear Infection

• Few drops of garlic juice into the infected ear. Use blow dryer from about 12 to 15 inches from your head, this will remove any water trapped in the Eustachian tube. Put some olive oil on the warm spoon; put 2 to 3 drops of this in each ear.
• Take vitamin C to boost your immune system, it will help you to combat infection. Increase Zinc intake, it reduces ear infection. Eat a healthy diet with lots of calcium in it. Avoid processed foods and hydrogenated oils.
• Use ajwain oil as an ear drop for earache relief.
• Dip any cloth in hot water and wring out the excess water. Now keep this cloth close to the ear, the moist air will improve the circulation in the ear.
• Mix lobelia and garlic oil or olive oil, place a few drops in the ear and plug it with cotton this will help with pain.
• Extract 1 teaspoon juice from mango leaves. Slightly warm and use as ear drops for ear infection.
• Make a mixture by adding 1 tablespoon of almond carrier oil, 2 drops of lavender essential oil, 2 drops of chamomile oil and 3 drops of tea tree essential oil. Warm this mixture and add 2 drops thrice a day to the infected ear.
• Put two pieces of garlic in two teaspoonfuls of mustard oil and heat it till it turns black. Allow it to cool and put 2-3 drops to the side of ear.
• Put a cup of salt in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and dump it on some small cotton bag or socks. Keep this close to the ear; it will reduce the pain and swelling caused due to infection