Home Cures: Earache
Ear aches are common annoyances for many of us. The change in altitude on an airplane always brings about unwanted pressure which can leave us irritated, and same goes for all the babies on board. Depending on how sensitive your ears are, it’s likely you feel it when you dive down into a deep pool, or go scuba diving. Pressure of any kind is unbearable, and in a place as sensitive as your ears, it seems unmanageable. However, if you’re prone to ear aches, there are a few tricks you can use at home to find some relief.
First is prevention. Before you even search for earache remedies, you should try to determine what is causing it, and take some measures before it even starts. For example, if you are expecting a midnight headache to wake you up, try taking a decongestant before bed. Nasal drops for sinus pressure also work wonders. This can also be used before the decent on an aircraft, or a trip diving. This helps with the pressure that often causes ear aches.
Second is treatment. There are plenty of non invasive remedies out there to help you quickly and efficiently eliminate that ear ache. For example, often times the pain will immediately subside once we “pop” our ears. This is the trigger for releasing pressure in the ears, which gives us the pain relief we’re looking for. If you can’t pop your ears on command, you can try a few tricks to do it for you. Often yawning will have this affect, so will holding your nose and attempting to blow through it. Muscle stimulation in the jaw also helps, such as that induced by gum chewing.
If you prefer a more direct earache remedy, you can try addressing the issue with heat and oil. Aiming a hair dryer at the affected ear can have the same affect of releasing pressure as the tricks previously mentioned. Using baby oil heated to body temperature also works, when drops are applied into the ear.
If ear pain becomes unbearable, and persists even with treatment, consult a doctor. There are other causes of pressure that can lead to ear ache, and a doctor can help you determine that underlying cause. Ear ache can often be a symptom, so it is important to not ignore, or mask a sign that your body is giving. Always ask a doctor before attempting to treat yourself.
