Home treatments for otitis media can help control the disease's discomfort. We've compiled a list of all home remedies in one place.
What is the definition of a middle ear infection?
A middle ear infection causes the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity (middle ear cavity) to become irritated. It usually arises from a common cold in the nasopharynx. Because children's ears are still very sensitive, the condition is more common in them. Symptoms such as earache and fever are common, but they can be treated at home with middle ear infection home remedies.
Do home cures for a middle ear infection work?
In general, a middle ear infection (otitis media) should be treated by a doctor, even if antibiotics are not always required. However, several middle ear inflammation home remedies have been found to be successful in the treatment of the condition, such as the use of various medicinal plants to alleviate symptoms or the use of heat to treat the condition. This makes it easier for children, in particular, to go over an acute inflammation.
The 7 best home cures for middle ear infection in a nutshell.
The following home remedies can help alleviate acute discomfort and treat a middle ear infection:
- Onion sachets: Onions have been used for earaches of many kinds for generations, however, the effect has not been scientifically confirmed. The onion has anti-inflammatory and germ-killing compounds, as well as increasing blood flow to the ear and reducing pain. Chop an onion into small pieces, steam it briefly, then wrap it in a sheet to produce an onion poultice for a middle ear infection. The poultice can then be applied to the ear.
- Chamomile tea: Chamomile contains anti-inflammatory properties and is consequently used to treat a variety of ailments, including middle ear infections. Making chamomile tea is the simplest way to achieve this. It is necessary to empty the teabag
Heat therapy can assist with a cold as well as a middle ear infection. Not only has heat been found to be good for these illnesses, but it also aids in the liquefaction of ear secretions, allowing them to drain more freely. You can do this by putting a hot water bottle on your ear, for example.
- Red light: In general, red light is one of the heat therapies that has been shown to be an effective middle ear infection home cure. The red light promotes ear blood circulation, which aids in the healing process. Most patients find the heat to be comforting as well. Even when the eyelids are closed, the red light lamp's infrared radiation can cause damage to the eyes. As a result, if you're treating a middle ear infection with it, you should sit at least 30 to 50 cm away from the lamp and keep your head still.
eyes closed as a matter of principle and, if possible, also wear protective goggles.
- Cold: Some patients do not like the effect of heat - those who feel uncomfortable with it can also test treatment with cold against otitis media instead. The simplest way to do this is to wrap a cold pack in a cloth and place it against the ear.
Calf compresses are a tried-and-true home cure, especially for fever, which is common with otitis media. Linen clothes are immersed in cool water, wrung dry, and wrapped around the calves for this purpose. Another wrap with a dry cloth is applied over this. Every five to ten minutes, the calf wraps should be re-moistened. Check to see if the fever is already subsiding after two to three repetitions.
- Inhaling: Inhaling can also help to decongest the mucous membranes in a middle ear infection and loosen stuck mucus. To do this, simply pour some hot water into a bowl, add some chamomile tea or essential oils, and place a towel over your head. Then bend over the bowl and breathe deeply in and out. Alternatively, an inhaler from the pharmacy works as well. Caution: Essential oils should not be used on children - they can be rather irritating.
What about olive oil as a home treatment for a middle ear infection? Olive oil is said to be effective in treating a middle ear infection. Warm the oil slightly and dribble it into the affected ear for this reason. This supposed home cure is not recommended since, if the eardrum is damaged, olive oil can aggravate symptoms like an earache. Furthermore, germs can enter the ear through the oil. Additional remedies for a middle ear infection There are alternative ways to treat a middle ear infection outside the traditional home remedies:
- The immune system must function properly for a middle ear infection to recover. As a result, the body should not be strained in any other way; instead, sufferers should rest until the symptoms go away.
- Drink plenty of water: It's vital to drink plenty of water when you have an infection, but it's more crucial when you have a child who is also sick and has a fever. This is due to the fact that it can cause the youngster to sweat excessively, causing the body to lose a significant amount of fluid. Children in kindergarten and primary school should drink 0.7 to one liter of water every day. They should drink twice as much if they have an acute infection.
- Nasal spray: Because a middle ear infection is sometimes caused by a cold, the mucous membranes are commonly inflamed during the sickness. Nasal decongestant drops or sprays can help with this. The cures, however, should only be utilized for a limited time.
Middle ear infection in children: These remedies help Babies and young children often suffer from otitis media, but not all home remedies are suitable for use with them or are not accepted. For example, many young children find the onion bag directly on the ear uncomfortable. Alternatively, the onion bag can then be placed on the pillow near the child's head, for example. If the little patients do not like the smell of the onion, it can also be replaced with chamomile flowers.
The following generally applies to heat treatments for middle ear infections: Make sure that the temperature is not too high. Test this on your own ear, for example, and wrap the hot water bottle and the like in another cloth before treating the child. Always coordinate the treatment closely with the doctor - only he can decide whether medications such as antibiotics should be used in addition to home remedies.