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How do I Relieve Ear Pain?

Ron Marr
Ron Marr

If your ears are burning, at least according to common mythology, then someone is speaking of ill of you. On the other hand, if you have an earache you won’t care what people are saying. You will simply want to relieve the pain and headache that are causing you great aggravation and sleepless nights.

Ear pain occurs due to a variety of causes ranging from the minor to the major. One of the prevalent sources of an ear pain is called swimmer’s ear, which takes place when you swim in a public pool and fail to wear earplugs. The irritation and ensuing pain are not caused by chlorine and chemicals, but rather by bacteria in the pool’s water. The more public the pool, the greater the chances of contracting swimmer's ear.

Olive oil can be warmed and mixed with garlic juice to create a home remedy to relieve ear pain.
Olive oil can be warmed and mixed with garlic juice to create a home remedy to relieve ear pain.

A head cold can also lead to ear pain, due to the interconnectivity of the ear, nose, and throat. Any sort of damage to the mouth can inflame nerves that will react within the ear. More serious are inner ear infections, middle ear infections, or a burst eardrum. Any of these three ailments should be treated by a physician.

Children are far more susceptible to earaches than adults, and a child suffering from ear pain will likely be very awake and very loud for an entire night. The earache of a child will also lead to headaches in adults, as in most cases they will go without sleep until the malady has been cured. Earaches in children often are related to tonsillitis and sinus infections.

Applying a warm compress to the affected ear helps relieve ear pain.
Applying a warm compress to the affected ear helps relieve ear pain.

Luckily, there are many ways to relieve ear pain. All of these are valid and safe; however, if pus or liquid is leaking from the ear you should see a doctor immediately. The likely cause is a burst eardrum or a serious infection, and a qualified physician will need to provide treatment and prescribe antibiotics.

In less serious cases, placing a warm compress on the ear is a good start to relieving the pain. Also, you should lie down with the painful ear facing up. As an accompany headache is nearly unavoidable, take painkillers or anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, Tylenol®, or ibuprofen.

Children are more likely than adults to get earaches, and they often have difficulty sleeping until the pain subsides.
Children are more likely than adults to get earaches, and they often have difficulty sleeping until the pain subsides.

Antiseptic eardrops are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies, but should none be available, a home remedy is often just as effective. A combination of garlic juice and warm olive oil can be mixed together and a few drops placed in the offending ear. Make certain the mixture is lukewarm and not hot, or serious damage could take place. The only downside to this elixir is that your ear will smell like an Italian restaurant for a day or so.

Discussion Comments

anon990952

My ear is also making weird sounds and really hurts.

anon946081

I have suffered with swimmers ear for over 30 years now (I'm 72). When the pain arrives, I use otosporin ear drops straight away and the pain goes within a day. I always use ear plugs in the shower and when swimming, keep water out of one's ears, use warm oil [ from chemist] if it keeps getting clogged up with wax.

anon324739

It was painful inside. Sometimes it gone and comes back. What do I do?

anon283755

For some reason, every year I get an earache, or swimmer's ear, or an ear infection. It hurts a lot and I'm still young (12) but I'm in so much pain and I don't tell my parents because it hurts me so much when they try to fix it. I need advice on what to do. Can someone tell me what to do?

anon267894

@charlie89: TMJ could be causing your ear and jaw pain!

pleats

Cool little aside about the superstitions associated with ear pain. I'm lucky enough to usually avoid the symptoms of ear pain, but my husband gets terrible ear pressure and pain from his allergies.

EarlyForest

Another common cause of ear pressure and pan, especially middle ear pain, is a sinus condition. I am almost absurdly prone to sinus infections, and every year I get the worst ear and jaw pain -- that's how swollen my sinuses get!

The pressure is awful too, all the way back up in my ears.

I've tried all those ear pain cures, but the only thing that works when I get like that is antibiotics -- apparently my sinuses are just ultra-prone to infection, and once they get started, I have to bring out the big guns.

Charlie89

What could be some of the causes of severe inner ear pain? I have tried all the ear infection pain remedies I can think of, but I still get chronic severe ear pain in my inner ear. Sometimes it extends into ear and jaw pain. Can anybody tell me what kind of ear pain causes could be behind this?

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    • Olive oil can be warmed and mixed with garlic juice to create a home remedy to relieve ear pain.
      By: tycoon101
      Olive oil can be warmed and mixed with garlic juice to create a home remedy to relieve ear pain.
    • Applying a warm compress to the affected ear helps relieve ear pain.
      By: Leonid Ikan
      Applying a warm compress to the affected ear helps relieve ear pain.
    • Children are more likely than adults to get earaches, and they often have difficulty sleeping until the pain subsides.
      By: athomass
      Children are more likely than adults to get earaches, and they often have difficulty sleeping until the pain subsides.
    • Ear pain sometimes requires a visit to a physician.
      By: Alexander Raths
      Ear pain sometimes requires a visit to a physician.
    • Ear pain can be caused by inflammation, infections, and trauma to the ear.
      By: Maximo Sanz
      Ear pain can be caused by inflammation, infections, and trauma to the ear.
    • Pain-relieving eardrops are often prescribed when a patient has an ear infection.
      By: JackF
      Pain-relieving eardrops are often prescribed when a patient has an ear infection.
    • Earaches in children are often related to tonsillitis.
      By: Dmitry Naumov
      Earaches in children are often related to tonsillitis.
    • Ear pain may be caused by a head cold.
      By: Von Schonertagen
      Ear pain may be caused by a head cold.
    • Over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, can be helpful for treating ear pain.
      By: Geo Martinez
      Over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, can be helpful for treating ear pain.