Otomycosis : Causes Symtoms & Treatment - Dr. Satish Babu K
what is otomycosis
Otomycosis is an ear infection caused by a fungus. It’s more commonly seen in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and during times of intense heat and humidity. It’s also known as fungal otitis externa.
Otomycosis usually affects the outer ear canal. This canal starts from your eardrum and continues to the outside of your head. In some cases, it may affect the middle ear as well. About 10% of outer ear canal infections (otitis externa) are caused by fungi.
Causes of Otomycosis
Fungi. There are many different types of fungi that cause otomycosis. The most common fungi that cause these fungal infections are Aspergillus and Candida.
Aspergillus is a common fungus that can be found everywhere, both indoor and outdoor. We breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without any problems. But for some people, it can cause health issues like lung infections and allergic reactions.
There are many kinds of fungus that live in our bodies. Candida is a type of yeast that normally lives on your skin and inside your body, including in your mouth, throat, and gut. Some species can cause infection of candidiasis, of which there are several types, such as oral thrush.
Antibiotic and steroid use. There has been an increase in otomycosis cases in recent years. Experts say that this increase is due to the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids, as well as antibiotic ear drops.
In a study of young people with otomycosis, researchers found that all 26 had used antibiotic ear drops which contained ofloxacin to treat ear discharge.
Some researchers believe that antibiotics affect the pH levels of the ear canal and remove any competing bacteria, making it easier for the fungus to grow.
Weakened immune systems. Otomycosis is seen more often in people who have weakened immune systems. They may have more complications and recurrences of otomycosis. One severe complication happens if the infection spreads to the temporal bone of your skull. If not treated, this can be fatal.
Some risk factors that may make you more likely to get ear canal infections are:
Getting water in your ear when swimming
Using cotton swabs to clean your ears and injuring your ear canal
Using hearing aids or earplugs, especially if you don’t clean them properly
Introducing irritants like hair dye or hair spray get in your ear
Some people are more prone to ear canal infections. People with skin conditions like eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis, or those with allergies, are more likely to have infections.
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Symptoms of Otomycosis
The symptoms of otomycosis include:
Hearing loss
Itchiness
Earache
Discharge of fluid
Ringing in the ears ( tinnitus)
Burning feeling in the ear
A feeling of fullness in the ear
Severe headaches
If your ear infection is caused by Aspergillus, grayish-black or yellow dots surrounded by cotton-like fungal spores will form in your ear canal. If it's caused by Candida, there won’t be any visible fungi that forms. Instead, there will be a thick creamy white discharge.
Dr. T's Ear Infection Massage Method
Diagnosis of Otomycosis
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history. They’re likely to use an otoscope to look into your ear canal. Sometimes fungal spores may be seen. They may take a sample of any pus and debris in your ear canal. This sample will be sent to a lab to identify the microorganisms.
Treatment of Otomycosis
Cleaning the ear. Your doctor will first remove any debris from your ear canal. This could involve dry wipes, rinses, or suction. Don’t do this at home with cotton swabs or other objects.
Medication. Your doctor will probably prescribe antifungal ear drops. They may contain clotrimazole, fluconazole, or miconazole. In a study of 214 people with otomycosis, researchers found that clotrimazole drops, miconazole cream, and fluconazole drops had the same effectiveness.
If your ear infection is caused in part by a bacterial infection, you may also be prescribed antibacterial drugs like ceftazidime.
It may take 1 to 2 weeks before your otomycosis improves. In some people, otomycosis may be chronic or recurrent. In one reported case, otomycosis that lasted 3 months was due to a different fungus, Malassezia. It lives on the skin of humans and animals, and doctors believe that the source of the infection may have been the person's dog.
Prevention of Otomycosis
There are some things you can try at home to help prevent otomycosis:
Wear a swim cap or earplugs when swimming. After swimming, dry your ears with a towel.
Use a hair dryer on a low setting to remove moisture from your ears. Don’t put the hair dryer too close to your ears.
Don’t use cotton swabs or other objects to clean your ear. This can push earwax and debris further into your ear canal.
Combine equal parts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar together. Put a few drops in your ear immediately after swimming. Don’t use this option if your eardrum has been perforated, or torn. Talk to your doctor first.
Olive Oil for Ear Infection - Does it Relieve Ear Infection Pain?
Why can't I hear after putting olive oil in my ear?
So yesterday I noticed my hearing had become muffled all of a sudden. I’ve had problems in the past to do with ear wax build up, and found the use of ear drops worked.
Rang my GP this morning after realising my ears were very muffled, and he advised to use olive oil ear drops for 2 weeks. This is because I didn’t report any pain or discharge, and so he said it’s most likely just build up.
This evening, I have used the drops. However after using them my hearing has gotten worse. I almost feel deaf now, the muffled ears have gotten worse and the volume of hearing is worse. Can barely hear what my family are saying to me.
I read that this is a possible effect of the ear drops, and that things might worsen before they get better. But I don’t get how this happened. I’m really really scared that I might have permanent hearing damage. Should I seek medical attention, or is this a common effect?
Can you put cooking olive oil in your ear?
"Should I put oil in my ears before I come for my visit?"
IMG 3695
While this is not essential, it is always helpful to do this prior to your visit.
When should you do it?
At least 1-2 days prior to your visit is useful.
What oil is best?
Use a cooking oil, such as olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, or rice bran oil.
It's best not to use any oil with a fragrance (i.e. baby oil), as this can irritate sensitive skin in the ear canal.
How to put oil in your ear:
Use a dropper (can be purchased at a chemist), or put a small amount of oil on a teaspoon.
Lie on your side and place a large ball of cotton wool (not cotton buds) into the ear canal gently so as not to allow the oil to escape.
Stay on your side for at least 2-3 minutes.
It is not necessary to warm the oil.
Does ear hurt with Covid?
Coronavirus and ear infection can have similar symptoms, such as fever and headache, but Cooper experts have put together a guide to help you differentiate the two.
Place 2or 3 drops of olive oil in the ear to remove ear wax and treat infection
Ear infections, often called otitis media, occur when fluid collects behind the ear drum and becomes infected. Middle ear infection is usually preceded by a cold, flu, or upper respiratory tract infection. Children between 6 and 36 months are the most likely to get ear infections, although they can occur in older children and adults as well.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing.
You can protect yourself from COVID-19 by washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, wearing a face mask, and practicing physical distancing by avoiding close contact with people who do not live in your household.
Coronavirus vs. Ear Infection
SYMPTOMS COVID-19 EAR INFECTION
Fever X X
Headache X X
Digestive Discomfort X
Sore Throat X
Cough Dry (no mucus)
Chest Pain X
Nasal Congestion X
Shortness of Breath X
Bluish Lips or Face X
Chills and Aches X
Loss of Smell and Taste X
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) X
Tiredness X
Fullness in ears X
Fluid draining from ears X
Hearing loss X
Ear pain X
Trouble sleeping X
Loss of balance X
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ear infection a symptom of COVID-19?
Ear infections and COVID-19 share few common symptoms, most notably fever and headache. Ear infections are not a commonly reported symptom of COVID-19.
Can COVID-19 cause an ear infection?
Otitis media occurs when fluid collects behind the ear drum and becomes infected usually preceded by cold, flu or upper respiratory tract infection. Mucus or pus can build up behind the eardrum, causing pressure and pain. In general, COVID-19 has not been associated with ear infections, and generally these types of infections do not share a great deal of common symptoms.
Are you likely to get an ear infection after coronavirus?
It is possible, but unlikely, to develop an ear infection after coronavirus, as ear infections are not a common symptom related to COVID-19.
How can I naturally get rid of an ear infection?
Earaches can be debilitating, but they don’t always warrant antibiotics. Prescribing guidelines for ear infections have changed in the last five years. Your child might not even be prescribed antibiotics.
Not all ear infections are bacterial or need prescription medication. In fact, you could find all the relief you need in your home with treatments such as:
over-the-counter pain relievers
cold or warm compresses
olive oil
neck exercises
ginger
garlic
hydrogen peroxide
Here are 11 home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for earaches.
1. Over-the-counter pain relievers
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to control pain associated with a painful type of ear infection called acute otitis media (AOM).
Ear Infections: Avoid This One Thing...
They’re safe to use with or without antibiotics, but be sure to follow dosing instructions on the label. These medications can also help lower a fever.
Talk to your doctor about the appropriate dose for children. Children and infant versions are available for many OTC pain relievers. It’s unsafe for children under age16 to take aspirin.
2. Cold or warm compresses
People often use ice packs or warm compresses, like a heating pad or damp washcloth, to relieve pain. The same can be done for ear pain. This method is safe for both children and adults.
Place the ice pack or warm compress over the ear and alternate between warm and cold after 10 minutes. If you prefer either cold or warm, you can use just one compress.
3. Olive oil
The use of olive oil for earaches is a folk remedy. There’s no solid scientific evidence to prove that drops of olive oil in your ear canal can soothe ear pain. But putting a few warmed drops of olive oil in the ear is safe and could be moderately effective, according to the AAP.
It’s still a good idea to discuss this method with your doctor first, especially for children. Make sure the olive oil is no warmer than your body temperature by using a thermometer. This will help you avoid burning the eardrum.
4. Naturopathic drops
Naturopathic ear drops are made from herbal extracts. They can be found online and in some drug stores. An early studyTrusted Source found that drops containing herbal extracts in a base of olive oil could be just as, or even more, effective as traditional OTC ear drops.
5. Chiropractic treatment
If you go to the chiropractor for adjustments, you may find that your appointment can soothe your earache as much as your back pain.
A 1996 studyTrusted Source involving 46 child participants ages 5 and under found that 93 percent of them showed improvement following chiropractic adjustments. Of the children, 43 percent of them felt better after only one or two sessions.
The Mayo Clinic cautions that there have been no long-term clinical studies associating chiropractic treatment with reduced ear pain.
6. Sleep without putting pressure on the ear
Some sleep positions will aggravate pain from ear infections, while some can help relieve it. Sleep with the affected ear raised instead of having it faced down toward the pillow. This can help the ear drain better if necessary.
You can also sleep with your head elevated by using extra pillows. This can also help the ears drain faster.
7. Neck exercises
Some earaches are caused by pressure in the ear canal. Certain neck exercises can be used to relieve this pressure. Neck rotation exercises are particularly beneficial.
Follow these steps to perform neck rotations exercises:
Sit straight up with both feet flat on the ground.
Slowly rotate your neck and head to the right until your head is parallel with your shoulder.
Rotate your head the other way, until your head is parallel with your left shoulder.
Raise your shoulders high as if you’re trying to cover your ears with your shoulders.
Make the movements slowly, hold them gently stretching more for a count of five, then relax.
Repeat these often throughout waking hours.
8. Ginger
Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe pain from earaches. Apply ginger juice, or strained oil that was warmed with ginger in it, around the outer ear canal. Do not put it directly into the ear.
9. Garlic
Garlic has both antibiotic and pain-relieving properties. Soak crushed garlic for several minutes in warm olive or sesame oil. Strain the garlic out and apply the oil into the ear canal.
10. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has been used as a natural remedy for earaches for many years. To use this method of treatment, place several drops of hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear. Let it sit for several minutes before letting it drain into a sink. Rinse your ear with clean, distilled water.
11. Distraction
If it’s a child battling an earache, do your best to get them comfortable by taking their mind off the pain.
You may want to:
put on their favorite movie
bring home a new coloring book
have a bubble bath with lots of toys
let them play a game on your phone or tablet
pick up their favorite snack
simply find other things for them to focus on
If your child is of teething age, offer cooled teething toys for chewing.
This method also works for adults. Treat yourself to a good book or a favorite movie to take your mind off the earache.
Ultra Sticky Ear Wax VS Olive Oil Treated Ear Wax
Causes
There are many possible causes for an earache. Possible causes that are relatively common include:
cavities
sinus infections
earwax
tonsillitis
teeth grinding
The most commonTrusted Source ear infection is acute otitis media (AOM), or a middle ear infection.
It’s characterized by swollen and infected portions of the middle ear. The pain associated with AOM is caused by fluid becoming trapped behind the eardrum. Symptoms may include:
fever
pain inside the ear
slight hearing loss
feeling sick in general
Babies and children may be restless, cranky, and pull at their ears.
When to use a home remedy
The best home remedy for an earache depends on the cause. If a cavity is to blame, your earache may not improve until you see a dentist. However, if it’s an ear infection, using a natural remedy could make the illness bearable as your body fights off the infection.
Many ear infections clear up on their own in about a week or two, with symptoms starting to get better after a few days. Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician if your child has ear pain, especially if they are under 2 years of age.
If your child is running a high fever, or if a fever lasts longer than a day, seek immediate medical care. A high fever for children is defined as:
Age Method of measurement Temperature
infants less than 3 months old rectal 100.4ºF (38ºC) or greater
children 3 months to 3 years old rectal 102ºF (38.9ºC) or greater
children of any age oral, rectal, or forehead 104ºF (40ºC) or greater
Your doctor can provide guidance on whether you should try home remedies first or consider an antibiotic.
The takeaway
While there isn’t much evidence on alternative treatments for earaches, many home remedies can soothe the pain.
NO NEED FOR ANTIBIOTICS
The latest guidelines from the AAP suggest that doctors should focus on pain management, not antibiotics, for ear infections. This is because ear infections often go away on their own, and the overuse of antibiotics could lead to antibiotic-resistant infections.
How many drops of olive oil should I put in my ear?
Earwax normally just falls out on its own. When it's blocking your ears, a pharmacist can help.
Symptoms of earwax build-up
Symptoms of earwax build-up include:
hearing loss
earache or a feeling that your ears are blocked
ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
vertigo (feeling dizzy and sick)
How you can treat earwax build-up yourself
Important
Do not use your fingers or any objects like cotton buds to remove earwax. This will push it in and make it worse.
Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it does not and blocks your ear, put 2 to 3 drops of medical grade olive or almond oil in your ear 3 to 4 times a day. Do this for 3 to 5 days.
It is recommended you use a dropper while lying your head on one side for a few minutes to let the oil work its way through your ear canal(s).
You may find it easier to do this first thing in the morning and then just before you go to sleep.
Over about 2 weeks, lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear, especially at night when you're lying down.
There's no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of earwax.
A pharmacist can help with earwax build-up
Speak to a pharmacist about earwax build-up. They can give advice and suggest treatments.
They might recommend medicines to dissolve the earwax. The earwax should fall out on its own or dissolve after about a week.
Do not use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum (a perforated eardrum).
Find a pharmacy
Non-urgent advice:See a nurse at your GP practice if:
your symptoms have not cleared after 5 days
your ear is badly blocked and you cannot hear anything (you can get an infection if it has not cleared)
Information:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: how to contact a GP
It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:
visit their website
use the NHS App
call them
Find out about using the NHS during COVID-19
How I healed my ear infection with these homemade ear drops! || bacterial & fungal infection
Not all GP practices remove earwax
Some can:
flush the wax out with water (ear irrigation)
suck the wax out (microsuction)
These treatments are usually painless. You might have to pay to have them done privately.
Causes of earwax build-up
A build-up of earwax can happen if:
you have narrow or damaged ear canals
you have lots of hair in your ear canals
you have a skin condition affecting your scalp or around your ear
you have inflammation of your ear canal (otitis externa or "swimmer’s ear")
Preventing earwax build-up
You cannot prevent earwax. It's there to protect your ears from dirt and germs.
But you can keep using eardrops for a few days to soften the wax. This will help it fall out on its own and should prevent blocked ears.
Is olive oil good for itchy ears?
Itchy ears are a common problem that can be bothersome but are not usually harmful.
Treatment for itchy ears depends on the underlying cause and may include ear drops, antibiotics, or syringing.
In this article, learn about the causes of itchy ears, as well as which treatments and home remedies can help.
Causes
Causes of itchy ears can include:
1. Ear infections
A person may have itchy ears as the result of an infection.
Itchy ears can sometimes be due to an infection or a sign that one is developing.
Bacteria and viruses can cause ear infections in conjunction with a cold or flu. Infections can also occur if someone has water trapped in their ear or a buildup of earwax.
Chronic ear infections are recurring and may require medical treatment.
2. Dry ears
Ears usually produce oil and earwax to keep the ear clean and healthy. If people clean their ear too much, it can remove the wax from the ear and dry it out, causing irritating itchiness.
Other people may not produce enough ear wax naturally, resulting in dry ears. If people have dry ears, they may notice flakes of dry skin around their ear.
3. Food allergies
An allergic reaction to a certain food can cause people to have itchy ears. Common food allergies include:
nuts
milk
fish and shellfish
wheat
soy
People may also experience itchiness on the rest of the face. Some people develop hives.
Oral allergy syndrome is a type of allergic reaction related to pollen that typically causes itchiness around the mouth, but some people also report having itchy ears.
Common foods that cause oral allergy syndrome include:
fruits, such as apples, melons, cherries, kiwi, and bananas
sunflower seeds
almonds
hazelnuts
If a person has trouble breathing after eating or coming into contact with an allergen, they may be experiencing anaphylaxis. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.
4. Earwax blockage
A buildup of earwax can cause itchy ears and affect a person’s hearing.
The ears produce earwax to help keep the ear clean and protect the inner ear from infection. Earwax naturally moves out of the ear, carrying dead skin cells and debris, where it will then dry out and fall away over time.
A buildup of earwax can happen if people stick something into their ear canal, which is the small tunnel that connects the outer ear to the middle and inner ear.
If people insert a cotton swab, bobby pin, finger, or twisted cloth into their ear, it can irritate the ear canal and push earwax farther back, causing a blockage.
An earwax blockage can trap bacteria in the ear and cause an infection.
5. Hearing aids
The plastic coating on hearing aids can sometimes cause itchy ears.
Hearing aids can sometimes cause itchy ears because of their plastic coating. Some people may have sensitive skin or a mild allergic reaction to the material.
People wearing hearing aids may also experience itchy ears if water gets trapped behind the hearing aid.
If people have an itchy ear due to pressure from the hearing aid, a specialist can remold the hearing aid so that it fits better.
6. Swimmer’s ear
If water gets trapped in the ear, it can cause a condition called acute otitis externa. This condition is also known as swimmer’s ear because it frequently affects swimmers.
Natural Remedies for Ear Infection
Bacteria can multiply in the trapped water, causing an infection.
Swimmer’s ear can make the ear feel very itchy. If people have swimmer’s ear, they may also notice the following symptoms:
pain in the ear
pain in the neck, face, or head
inflammation around the ear
ear feels blocked
drainage from the ear
difficulty hearing
7. Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, happens when people have an allergic reaction to common particles found in the air, such as pollen, dust mites, or animal fur.
It can cause itchiness in the ears, eyes, and throat, along with:
watery eyes
a runny nose
headaches
sneezing
congestion
People may also experience itchy ears due to congestion caused by a common cold. This will usually pass as people recover from the cold.
8. Skin conditions
People who have a skin condition in this area might experience itchy ears. Some people might also notice inflamed, scaly patches on or around the ear.
Conditions that may cause itchy ears include:
psoriasis
dermatitis
eczema
Treatments and home remedies
People may be able to treat some cases of itchy ears with home remedies.
If skin dryness causes itchy ears, try putting a few drops of olive oil or baby oil on their ear.
A drop of oil can also help relieve itchiness due to hearing aids. The oil should not touch the hearing aid, however, so it is best to apply the drops before going to bed.
People should also ensure they get their hearing aid correctly fitted for their ear, as an ill-fitting hearing aid can cause irritation. A doctor can also help determine if a person is having an allergic reaction to their hearing aid.
People can clean their outer ear using a cloth, but should not insert anything into the ear canal. If earwax is blocking the ear, a few drops of baby oil or over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops can loosen the wax.
If this is not effective, a doctor may syringe a saline solution into the ear to flush out the excess earwax. People can also do this procedure at home with an irrigation kit.
If a skin condition, such as psoriasis, is causing an itchy ear, people may need to use a topical medication to treat the condition.
People with swimmer’s ear may be able to relieve itchiness by applying drops of a mildly acidic solution consisting of half rubbing alcohol and half vinegar. This can help to dry out excess water in the ear.
If this treatment does not work, or if people have another type of ear infection, prescription ear drops or antibiotics can help.
People with itchy ears due to allergic rhinitis may need antihistamines to manage their condition. If food allergies are causing itchy ears, people can track their diet and symptoms to identify which foods trigger symptoms.
If home treatments provide no relief or if people are experiencing more severe symptoms, such as any pain or loss of hearing, they should see their doctor.
Prevention
Wearing ear plugs when swimming reduces the risk of getting swimmer’s ear.
People can lower the risk of itchy ears and ear infections by not sticking anything into their ears, including:
cotton swabs
bobby pins
toothpicks
pencils
ear candles
twisted cloths
Inserting items into the ear can remove protective earwax, damage the ear, and push earwax deeper into the ear.
Ear Infections: Best Ways to Treat at Home and Prevent that Earache
If people repeatedly get itchy ears or a buildup of earwax, they can see an ear specialist who can clean their ears.
People can reduce their chances of getting swimmer’s ear by:
wearing ear plugs when swimming
using a hair dryer on low heat at a distance to dry the inside of the ears after getting wet
using a clean towel to dry the outside of the ears
Summary
If people have persistently itchy ears, they should see a doctor to find out the underlying cause. People may be able to relieve itchiness at home by using a few drops of baby oil or olive oil. OTC eardrops may also help.
If an infection is causing the itchiness, a person may require antibiotics. In cases of earwax blockage, a doctor can safely remove the earwax and provide prevention tips.
Most causes of itchy ears clear up quickly with home remedies or treatment from a doctor.
How long does olive oil take to unblock ears?
Earwax:
Earwax is a normal build-up of dead cells, hair, foreign material such as dust, and
natural wax which forms a protective coating on the skin in the ear canal. The
quantity of earwax produced varies greatly from person to person.
A doctor or nurse can look into the ear canal and confirm a plug of earwax has
formed. A plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only need
to remove earwax if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing or when fitting a
hearing aid.
How to remove Ear wax:
Note: If you think you have ear wax, do not try to clean the ear canal with cotton
wool buds. This can make things worse, as you will push some earwax deeper
inside. It may also cause an ear infection.
Ear drops:
Ear drops alone will clear a plug of earwax in most cases. Put 2 or 3 drops of
ordinary olive oil down the ear 2 or 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks. This softens the wax
so that it then runs out of its own accord without harming the ear. You can continue
for any length of time, but 3 weeks is usually enough. Surprisingly, you will not
necessarily see wax come out. It often seems to come out unnoticed.
If you are prone to repeated wax built up you can continue to use olive oil drops
twice a week to prevent recurrence.
If olive oil does not work you can buy sodium bicarbonate drops from pharmacies.
How to use ear drops:
1. Warm the drops to room temperature before using them
2. Pour a few drops into the affected ear
3. Lie with the affected ear uppermost when putting in drops
4. Stay like this for 10 minutes to allow the drops to soak into the earwax.
Bulb Syringing:
Instructions for Bulb Syringing:
Use olive oil drops twice a day for at least 14 days prior to bulb syringing. Or
alternatively use sodium bicarbonate ear drops purchased from your pharmacy
(please read the manufacturers leaflet.)
1. Wash your hands.
2. Use a bowl of cooled, boiled water that is warm to the touch, not too hot or too
cold
3. Prepare the syringe by squirting water in and out of it a few times.
4. Gently pull your outer ear "up and out" to help straighten out the canal, which will
allow better access for the water
5. Tilt your head so the ear to be treated is upmost.
6. Place the tip of the syringe into the opening of the ear.- Do NOT push the syringe
further into the ear and gently squirt one or more bulb syringes of water into your
ear. (This might be best done in the shower so that the excess water will run into
the bathtub and not on your floor)
7. Allow the water to remain in your ear for at least 60 seconds. Gently tilt your head
in the opposite direction and wiggle your outer ear
If, after 3 weeks or more, you are still deaf from wax, you will need to make an
appointment with a doctor or nurse to decide what should be done.
Ear irrigation (ear syringing):
Ear irrigation is only recommended in the rare occasions where ear drops and bulb
syringing has failed to work. Ear syringing can lead to ear infections, perforated ear
drum and tinnitus (persistent noise) and therefore it is only performed in exceptional
circumstances. If you think you have persisting wax despite taking the above
measures please make an appointment with your doctor or nurse to discuss.
How do I know if my ear infection is healing?
Next to the common cold, an ear infection is the most common childhood illness. In fact, most children have at least one ear infection by the time they are 3 years old. Many ear infections clear up without causing any lasting problems.
Is olive oil safe to remove ear wax?-Dr. Satish Babu K
The following is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about the symptoms, treatments, and possible complications of acute otitis media, a common infection of the middle ear.
How do ear infections develop?
The ear has 3 parts—the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. A narrow channel (eustachian tube) connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. When a child has a cold, nose or throat infection, or allergy, the mucus and fluid can enter the eustachian tube causing a buildup of fluid in the middle ear. If bacteria or a virus infects this fluid, it can cause swelling and pain in the ear. This type of ear infection is called acute otitis media (middle ear inflammation).
Often after the symptoms of acute otitis media clear up, fluid remains in the ear, creating another kind of ear problem called otitis media with effusion (middle ear fluid). This condition is harder to detect than acute otitis media because except for the fluid and usually some mild hearing loss, there is often no pain or other symptoms present. This fluid may last several months and, in most cases, disappears on its own. The child’s hearing then returns to normal.
Is my child at risk for developing an ear infection?
Risk factors for developing childhood ear infections include
Age. Infants and young children are more likely to get ear infections than older children. The size and shape of an infant’s eustachian tube makes it easier for an infection to develop. Ear infections occur most often in children between 6 months and 3 years of age. Also, the younger a child is at the time of the first ear infection, the greater the chance he will have repeated infections.
Family history. Ear infections can run in families. Children are more likely to have repeated middle ear infections if a parent or sibling also had repeated ear infections.
Colds. Colds often lead to ear infections. Children in group child care settings have a higher chance of passing their colds to each other because they are exposed to more viruses from the other children.
Tobacco smoke. Children who breathe in someone else’s tobacco smoke have a higher risk of developing health problems, including ear infections.
How can I reduce the risk of an ear infection?
Some things you can do to help reduce your child’s risk of getting an ear infection are
Breastfeed instead of bottle-feed. Breastfeeding may decrease the risk of frequent colds and ear infections.
Keep your child away from tobacco smoke, especially in your home or car.
Throw away pacifiers or limit to daytime use, if your child is older than 1 year.
Keep vaccinations up to date. Vaccines against bacteria (such as pneumococcal vaccine) and viruses (such as influenza vaccine) reduce the number of ear infections in children with frequent infections.
What are the symptoms of an ear infection?
Your child may have many symptoms during an ear infection. Talk with your pediatrician about the best way to treat your child’s symptoms.
Pain. The most common symptom of an ear infection is pain. Older children can tell you that their ears hurt. Younger children may only seem irritable and cry. You may notice this more during feedings because sucking and swallowing may cause painful pressure changes in the middle ear.
Loss of appetite. Your child may have less of an appetite because of the ear pain.
Trouble sleeping. Your child may have trouble sleeping because of the ear pain.
Fever. Your child may have a temperature ranging from 100°F (normal) to 104°F.
Ear drainage. You might notice yellow or white fluid, possibly blood-tinged, draining from your child’s ear. The fluid may have a foul odor and will look different from normal earwax (which is orange-yellow or reddish-brown). Pain and pressure often decrease after this drainage begins, but this doesn’t always mean that the infection is going away. If this happens it’s not an emergency, but your child will need to see your pediatrician.
Trouble hearing. During and after an ear infection, your child may have trouble hearing for several weeks. This occurs because the fluid behind the eardrum gets in the way of sound transmission. This is usually temporary and clears up after the fluid from the middle ear drains away.
Important: Your doctor cannot diagnose an ear infection over the phone; your child’s eardrum must be examined by your doctor to confirm fluid buildup and signs of inflammation.
What causes ear pain?
There are other reasons why your child’s ears may hurt besides an ear infection. The following can cause ear pain:
An infection of the skin of the ear canal, often called “swimmer’s ear”
Reduced pressure in the middle ear from colds or allergies
A sore throat
Teething or sore gums
Inflammation of the eardrum alone during a cold (without fluid buildup)
How are ear infections treated?
Because pain is often the first and most uncomfortable symptom of an ear infection, it’s important to help comfort your child by giving her pain medicine. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines that may help decrease much of the pain. Be sure to use the right dosage for your child’s age and size. Don’t give aspirin to your child. It has been associated with Reye syndrome, a disease that affects the liver and brain. There are also ear drops that may relieve ear pain for a short time. Ask your pediatrician whether these drops should be used. There is no need to use OTC cold medicines (decongestants and antihistamines), because they don’t help clear up ear infections.
Not all ear infections require antibiotics. Some children who don’t have a high fever and aren’t severely ill may be observed without antibiotics. In most cases, pain and fever will improve in the first 1 to 2 days.
If your child is younger than 2 years, has drainage from the ear, has a fever higher than 102.5°F, seems to be in a lot of pain, is unable to sleep, isn’t eating, or is acting ill, it’s important to call your pediatrician. If your child is older than 2 years and your child’s symptoms are mild, you may wait a couple of days to see if she improves.
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Your child’s ear pain and fever should improve or go away within 3 days of their onset. If your child’s condition doesn’t improve within 3 days, or worsens at any time, call your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may wish to see your child and may prescribe an antibiotic to take by mouth, if one wasn’t given initially. If an antibiotic was already started, your child may need a different antibiotic. Be sure to follow your pediatrician’s instructions closely.
If an antibiotic was prescribed, make sure your child finishes the entire prescription. If you stop the medicine too soon, some of the bacteria that caused the ear infection may still be present and cause an infection to start all over again.
As the infection starts to clear up, your child might feel a “popping” in the ears. This is a normal sign of healing. Children with ear infections don’t need to stay home if they are feeling well, as long as a child care provider or someone at school can give them their medicine properly, if needed. If your child needs to travel in an airplane, or wants to swim, contact your pediatrician for specific instructions.
What are signs of hearing problems?
Because your child can have trouble hearing without other symptoms of an ear infection, watch for the following changes in behavior (especially during or after a cold):
Talking more loudly or softly than usual
Saying “huh?” or “what?” more than usual
Not responding to sounds
Having trouble understanding speech in noisy rooms
Listening with the TV or radio turned up louder than usual
If you think your child may have difficulty hearing, call your pediatrician. Being able to hear and listen to others talk helps a child learn speech and language. This is especially important during the first few years of life.
Are there complications from ear infections?
Although it’s very rare, complications from ear infections can develop, including the following:
An infection of the inner ear that causes dizziness and imbalance (labyrinthitis)
An infection of the skull behind the ear (mastoiditis)
Scarring or thickening of the eardrum
Loss of feeling or movement in the face (facial paralysis)
Permanent hearing loss
It’s normal for children to have several ear infections when they are young—even as many as 2 separate infections within a few months. Most ear infections that develop in children are minor. Recurring ear infections may be a nuisance, but they usually clear up without any lasting problems. With proper care and treatment, ear infections can usually be managed successfully. But, if your child has one ear infection after another for several months, you may want to talk about other treatment options with your pediatrician.
Why won't my ear infection go away?
Otitis media is another name for a middle ear infection. It means an infection behind your eardrum. This kind of ear infection can happen after any condition that keeps fluid from draining from the middle ear. These conditions include allergies, a cold, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection.
Middle ear infections are common in children, but they can also happen in adults. An ear infection in an adult may mean a more serious problem than in a child. So you may need additional tests. If you have an ear infection, you should see your healthcare provider for treatment. If they happen repeatedly, you should see an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) or an otologist (ear subspecialist).
What are the types of middle ear infections?
Infections can affect the middle ear in several ways. They are:
Acute otitis media- This middle ear infection occurs suddenly. It causes swelling and redness. Fluid and pus become trapped under the eardrum (tympanic membrane). You can have a fever and ear pain.
Chronic otitis media- This is a middle ear infection that does not go away, or happens repeatedly, over months to years. The ear may drain (have liquid coming out of the ear canal). It can often be accompanied by a tympanic membrane perforation and hearing loss. Usually chronic otitis media is not painful.
Otitis media with effusion- Fluid (effusion) and mucus build up in the middle ear after an infection goes away. You may feel like your middle ear is full. This can continue for months and may affect your hearing. This is also sometimes called serous otitis media.
Chronic otitis media with effusion- Fluid (effusion) remains in the middle ear for a long time. Or it builds up again and again, even though there is no infection. It may also affect your hearing
Who is more likely to get a middle ear infection?
You are more likely to get an ear infection if you:
Smoke or are around someone who smokes
Have seasonal or year-round allergy symptoms
Have a cold or other upper respiratory infection
What causes a middle ear infection?
The middle ear connects to the throat by a canal called the eustachian tube. This tube helps even out the pressure between the outer ear and the inner ear. A cold or allergy can irritate the tube or cause the area around it to swell. This can keep fluid from draining from the middle ear. The fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Bacteria and viruses can grow in this fluid. The bacteria and viruses cause the middle ear infection.
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What are the symptoms of a middle ear infection?
Common symptoms of a middle ear infection in adults are:
Pain in 1 or both ears
Drainage from the ear
Muffled hearing
Sore throat
You may also have a fever. Rarely, your balance can be affected.
These symptoms may be the same as for other conditions. It’s important to talk with your health care provider if you think you have a middle ear infection. If you have a high fever, severe pain behind your ear, or paralysis in your face, see your provider as soon as you can.
How is a middle ear infection diagnosed?
Your health care provider will take a medical history and do a physical exam. He or she will look at the outer ear and eardrum with an otoscope or an otomicroscope. These are lighted tools that let your provider see inside the ear. A pneumatic otoscope blows a puff of air into the ear to check how well your eardrum moves. If your eardrum doesn’t move well, it may mean you have fluid behind it.
Your provider may also do a test called tympanometry. This test tells how well the middle ear is working. It can find any changes in pressure in the middle ear. Your provider may test your hearing with an audiogram (hearing test) or tuning fork.
How is a middle ear infection treated?
A middle ear infection may be treated with:
Antibiotics, taken by mouth or as ear drops
Medication for pain
Decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroids
For chronic otitis media with effusion, an ear tube (tympanostomy tube) may help (see below)
Your health care provider may also have you try autoinsufflation. This helps adjust the air pressure in your ear. For this, you pinch your nose and gently exhale. This forces air back through the eustachian tube.
The exact treatment for your ear infection will depend on the type of infection you have. In general, if your symptoms don’t get better in 48 to 72 hours, contact your health care provider.
Middle ear infections can cause long-term problems if not treated. They can lead to:
Infection in other parts of the head
Permanent hearing loss
Paralysis of a nerve in your face
Occasionally, you may need CT scan or MRI to check for rare causes such as a cholesteatoma or tumors. If you have a middle ear infection that doesn’t get better, you should see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) or a specialized otologist.
Ear tubes
Sometimes fluid stays in the middle ear even after you take antibiotics and the infection goes away. In this case, your health care provider may suggest that a small tube (also called a tympanostomy tube) be placed in your ear. The tube is put at the opening of the eardrum. The tube keeps fluid from building up and relieves pressure in the middle ear. It can also help you hear better. This procedure is sometimes called a myringotomy. It is done more commonly in children but is also performed in adults. In adults, it is a routine procedure that takes under 5 minutes in the office. The tubes usually fall out on their own after 6 months to a year. Ear tubes can be placed by an otolaryngologist or a specialized otologist.
How long does it take for an ear infection to heal without antibiotics?
Many parents bring their children with ear infections to Express Care, Urgent Care and even the Emergency Department to request antibiotics. But, sometimes, antibiotics aren’t the right choice. Most ear infections cure themselves without the help of antibiotics.
"An ear infection is a bacterial or viral infection that affects the ear. It becomes painful when buildups of fluid and inflammation occur in the air-filled space behind the eardrum," says Leanna Munoz, Mayo Clinic Health System nurse practitioner. "Signs and symptoms of infection often quickly show."
Munoz says a great way to tell if your child has an ear infection is if he or she starts showing the following symptoms:
Pain in the ear, especially while lying down
Pulling or tugging the ear
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty hearing or responding to sounds
Fever or headache
Generally, an ear infection will improve within the first couple days and clear up within one to two weeks without any treatment. It is recommended to use the wait-and-see approach for:
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Children age 6 to 23 months with mild inner-ear pain in one ear for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F
Children age 2 and older with mild inner-ear pain in one or both ears for less than 48 hours and a temperature less than 102.2 F
"Home remedies can help manage your child’s pain," adds Munoz. "Try placing a warm, damp washcloth over the affected ear. Most providers recommend over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve pain. Use these medications as directed on the label."
Your medical provider can suggest the best treatment for your child. Antibiotics may be beneficial for certain children with ear infections. Your provider can explain the potential side effects and concerns about antibiotics creating strains of resistant disease. If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to use the entire antibiotic as directed. Failing to do so can result in recurring infection and resistance of bacteria to antibiotic medication.
##Newsapp#antibiotics#ear infection#Leanna Munoz
How can I stop my ear infection from getting worse?
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the health care provider. The most common type of ear infection is called otitis media. It is caused by swelling and infection of the middle ear. The middle ear is located just behind the eardrum.
An acute ear infection starts over a short period and is painful. Ear infections that last a long time or come and go are called chronic ear infections.
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Causes
The eustachian tube runs from the middle of each ear to the back of the throat. Normally, this tube drains fluid that is made in the middle ear. If this tube gets blocked, fluid can build up. This can lead to infection.
Ear infections are common in infants and children because the eustachian tubes are easily clogged.
Ear infections can also occur in adults, although they are less common than in children.
Eustachian tube
Anything that causes the eustachian tubes to become swollen or blocked makes more fluid build up in the middle ear behind the eardrum. Some causes are:
Allergies
Colds and sinus infections
Excess mucus and saliva produced during teething
Infected or overgrown adenoids (lymph tissue in the upper part of the throat)
Tobacco smoke
Ear infections are also more likely in children who spend a lot of time drinking from a sippy cup or bottle while lying on their back. Milk may enter the eustachian tube, which may increase the risk of an ear infection. Getting water in the ears will not cause an acute ear infection unless the eardrum has a hole in it.
Other risk factors for acute ear infections include:
Attending day care (especially centers with more than 6 children)
Changes in altitude or climate
Cold climate
Exposure to smoke
Family history of ear infections
Not being breastfed
Pacifier use
Recent ear infection
Recent illness of any type (because illness lowers the body's resistance to infection)
Birth defect, such as deficiency in eustachian tube function
How do you get rid of an inner ear infection?
Ear infections can happen anywhere in your outer, middle or inner ear. The symptoms can be very different depending on where the problem is located. If the infection is in your inner ear then it can have a particularly dramatic effect on your senses of balance and hearing. Read on to learn more about inner ear infections and how they can affect you.
The Inner Ear
Your ear is made up of three sections that are known as the outer, middle and inner ear. All three parts of the ear work together to enable us to hear, but the inner ear also plays a vital role in our sense of balance.
The outer ear includes the part that you can see along with the ear canal. These channel soundwaves into the ear so that you will be able to hear them.
The middle ear is made up of the ear drum and the space behind it, which contains the tiny bones that transmit vibrations from the ear drum to the inner ear.
The inner ear contains the cochlea, which receives the signals and transforms them into a message your brain can “hear”. The inner ear also contains the semicircular ducts, which send signals to the brain to tell us how our head and body are positioned. We use these signals to stay balanced. The cochlea and vestibular system (balance organs) are sometimes known together as the labyrinth.
What Causes Inner Ear Infections?
Infections can happen in any part of the ear, including the inner section. When the inner ear is infected, the problem is sometimes known as labyrinthitis.
The infection can be caused by a virus or bacteria, which usually reach the inner ear after affecting another part of your body.
Viral Infections: Lots of different viruses can affect the inner ear, including the common cold and flu. The infection usually spread to the inner ear from other parts of the body (such as the throat or airways), so you may start to develop symptoms related to your inner ear after noticing cold-like symptoms. Antibiotics can’t help with this type of infection.
Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections are less common, especially in adults, but they can happen. Bacteria are more likely to get into the inner ear if the membranes separating it from the inner ear are broken, which might happen if you have a middle ear infection. If the infection is caused by bacteria then taking antibiotics might help.
In some cases, the problem that we call an inner ear infection isn’t actually an infection at all. Labyrinthitis can happen when the inner ear becomes inflamed for other reasons, for example if you have an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the tissue. You might need to get treatment for this underlying condition in order to prevent the inner ear problems from returning.
Symptoms of Inner Ear Infection
Since the inner ear plays key roles in both hearing and balance, any issues with these senses could be linked to an infection in this area. Infections in other parts of the ear are less likely to affect your hearing or balance, but the other symptoms can be similar.
Possible signs of an inner ear infection or inflammation include:
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Vertigo, a sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving around even when everything is still
Having trouble balancing or walking normally
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Problems with your hearing
Feeling like the ear is full or blocked
Tinnitus or ringing in your ears
Earache
Headaches
Fluid or pus coming from your ear
Inner ear infections can also be linked to other symptoms, depending on the source of the infection. For example, if the infection spread to the inner ear from your airways, you might also have a runny nose. In some cases, these other symptoms might be fading when the problems in your inner ear begin, because the original infection might have been eliminated. You could also have more generalised symptoms of infection, such as a fever.
Longer Term Effects of Inner Ear Infections
Generally, the symptoms will clear up as soon as the infection is gone. However, the effects can sometimes last longer.
You might still feel dizzy and off-balance even when the other symptoms caused by the infection have gone. This can be a sign that the balance organs were damaged. Your brain can usually learn to work with these changes, so your sense of balance should usually come back by itself. However, if you’re struggling to cope or the problem persists, you should see an ENT specialist. The doctor can check for any underlying causes and may refer you for vestibular rehabilitation therapy to help you to recover your balance.
Inner ear infections can also have a longer term effect on your hearing. This is more likely if you had bacterial infection, so your doctor might recommend a hearing test to check on your ears after the infection.
What to Do?
Inner ear infections will usually clear up by themselves within a few weeks, although some can last for six weeks or more. If the symptoms are severe or they don’t start to improve within a few days, then you should see a doctor. The doctor might prescribe antibiotics if the infection appears to be caused by bacteria. You will also be able to get help with any long term effects on your hearing or balance.
However, in most cases you will be able to manage the symptoms of an inner ear infection at home. Taking an over the counter painkiller like ibuprofen should help relieve any pain and may help with the other symptoms by reducing the inflammation. Holding a warm compress against your ear can also be soothing. It’s also a good idea to stay upright as much as possible and to prop your head up while sleeping, as this can encourage any fluid in the ear to drain away.
Do you have any other tips for coping with an inner ear infection?
Ear infections can be painful. Sometimes they cause a persistent dull pain; other times a sharp burning feeling comes and goes. Most of the time, they’re not anything to worry about. Except that you’ll want the pain to cease.
Here is an overview of traditional approaches to treatment, plus everything you need to know about at-home remedies.
Common Relief Options
The most natural treatment is no treatment at all, or the “watchful waiting” approach. (1)
Doctors may go this route for mild cases of middle ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, in an attempt to allow the immune system to fight off the infection on its own without the help of antibiotics.
“Often we don't need to give antibiotics,” says Sujana S. Chandrasekhar, MD, partner at ENT and Allergy Associates in New York City. Generally, she says ear, nose, and throat doctors will watch the infection for about three days. If the symptoms remain or worsen, then it may be time for antibiotics.
Otitis media with effusion (OME) in particular tends to go away without antibiotics or other treatments. These ear infections are the result of fluid buildup in the middle ear and usually have few symptoms. (1)
Pain Relievers for Earaches
If you or your child is experiencing an infection, you’ll likely want relief from the pain — fast.
For quick relief, your doctor may also suggest reaching for an over-the-counter pain reliever, with or without the addition of antibiotics.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen could help, though you’ll always want to check with your doctor to be sure. (1)
At-Home Remedies to Treat Ear Infections
Maybe you’re not a fan of pain relievers or antibiotics and want to limit your or your child’s exposure to them.
“Overuse of antibiotics in society in general has caused this growth of bacteria that are now resistant to many types of antibiotics, so we're trying to reel that back in [by not overly prescribing],” Dr. Chandrasekhar says.
Given that, natural, at-home options may come in handy. At least 1 in 10 people with ear pain reports having tried one or more types of alternative medicine before visiting their doctor. (2)
Keep in mind, however, that research supporting these treatments is scarce, and it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before trying a new treatment.
Here are six at-home options that may provide some relief:
A warm compress Hold a washcloth under warm water and squeeze it to release the extra water. Then, lay it over the ear that’s infected for 20 minutes or so to lessen the pain. (3) A warm water bottle held over the infected ear should also do the trick. (4) “People do the warm compresses simply to try to soothe, to try to draw out the inflammation,” Chandrasekhar says, adding that she does believe it can make people feel a little bit better.
Warm olive oil in the ear Chandrasekhar says there’s no proof this works but says it’s okay to try as long as the olive oil isn’t piping hot and there’s no hole in the eardrum. “It may soothe or it may not soothe,” she says. “If there's no swollen eardrum, [olive oil] may not cause any harm whatsoever.”
Herbal extract ear drops Drops containing allium sativum, verbascum thapsus, calendula flores, hypericum perforatum, lavender, and vitamin E in olive oil can help children suffering from a middle ear infection that requires active treatment (rather than simply waiting for the pain to diminish over time). One study found these drops to be just as effective as prescription drops. (2)
A solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and vinegar Applying a couple of drops of this solution in the infected ear could help people suffering from repeat infections of swimmer’s ear (medically called otitis externa), which occurs when water gets stuck in the ear canal and bacteria grow. The rubbing alcohol helps the water in the ear evaporate, and the vinegar prevents bacteria from spreading. (5)
Blow-drying the ear This method can also help people who routinely suffer from swimmer’s ear (who aren’t always swimmers — simply being out on a windy and rainy day could cause the infection). Pointing a blow-dryer on low heat near the ear can help dry up any leftover moisture in the ear after being out in the elements, pool, or shower. (5)
The juice of an onion Several articles and YouTube videos claim that onions are the secret to curing an earache, which is advice that supposedly dates back to the 1800s. Onions contain a flavonoid called quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. One method calls for heating an onion at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. Then, once it is cool, cut the onion in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Put a few drops of the juice into the ear. Or, you could place the onion half directly over the infected ear. (6) Chandrasekhar says it’s “perfectly reasonable [to try it], but give yourself a time limit like, ‘Okay, if it’s still bothering me in three days I’m going to go in to see a doctor,’” she says.
Who At-Home Remedies Are Best For
Chandrasekhar warns not to try a home remedy on a child under the age of 2 because they’re at increased risk of developing complications.
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“If the child is fussing when you put them down flat or trying to pull at their ear or if they're screaming when you're trying to feed them, I think bringing them in and listening to your doctor and giving them the antibiotics they need is really important,” she says.
Chandrasekhar is less concerned about older patients who aren’t experiencing other symptoms, like a fever or difficulty eating or drinking.
If none of these at-home options helps relieve pain within a couple of days, it may be time to call your doctor. It’s possible the infection will need antibiotics to heal and leaving it untreated for too long could lead to complications, which can be serious or rarely life-threatening.
It's a remedy as old as time, but using olive oil for resolving hearing problems is not a good idea.
Here's why: olive oil softens ear wax, of that there is no doubt, but the wax sludge that results still does not go anywhere in the average sized ear canal.
So why do so many of us try it? Olive oil is most prominent in the modern consciousness because GPs have been telling us for years to put it in our ears for a few weeks as a prelude to receiving an ear syringing if we have a hearing problem due to excessive wax.
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A few messy pillows, cushions, sofas and pyjamas later, we go along to the GP to receive a high pressure water treatment that literally blasts the loosened wax free.
In the meantime, however, the wax, loosened by the daily application of the oil, has spread out to fill more of the narrow confines of your ear canal, suffocating the ear and drowning out the sound. Those few weeks (unfortunately this is the reality in today's overstretched NHS) of waiting for the appointment can be among the most uncomfortable and sound-deprived we have ever experienced.
Put down the cotton bud!
And this brings me on to the second problem of a misinformed popular culture: cotton buds. So misinformed in fact that we actually call them ear buds. Anti-ear buds would be more accurate!
As the wax loosens in our ear canal, and we try to make sense of its new found mobility – blocking and unblocking our hearing from one minute to the next, we become curious, and reach for the little blue stick with the fluffy ends. How could something so gentle-looking be harmful?
Cotton bud
Steven PuetzerGetty Images
As the soft cotton brushes the opening to our ear canal, feelings of warmth, comfort and safety pass through us, some kind of flashback to childhood. Then we prod it around for a while, until we touch wax, when we have no choice – because in the narrow channel of our ear canal, there is simply nowhere else to go – but to push on further, squashing the wax down against our ear drum.
And sadly, whatever benefit we get from the wax that comes out stuck to the cotton bud end is unlikely to make up for the compacting effect on the wax still stuck (and pushed deeper) in our ear.
They might be good for adjusting eye make-up, but cotton buds should never, ever go in your ears – not unless you want to push whatever is in there further in.
Give ear candles a miss too
Finally, let's talk about Hopi candles. It is amazing, all the more so in this world of health and safety awareness, that anyone would willingly set fire to an object sticking out of the side of their head. But they do, because of the evidence of wax fragments that emerge from the process. The convection of the procedure can remove some wax from your ear, if the wax is dry, but most of the satisfying debris that remains at the end of a Hopi candle burn is from the candle itself – that is made of wax!
There are solutions that are effective at preventing ear wax from building up, but ear wax is a natural phenomenon with antibacterial properties that lubricates and protects your ear.You need your ear wax.
Your best bet if you have a build-up of excessive wax is most definitely to have it removed using a microsuction procedure, where gentle suction is applied to suck the wax out. No oil pre-treatment is required, and the whole process is painless and entirely safe.
As for the olive oil and ear buds – best to stick to cooking and make-up with these!
Not only is olive oil a delicious, antioxidant-packed kitchen staple that’s great on pastas and salads, it’s an ultra versatile beauty treatment, too—you can use it in your skincare routine to hydrate dry skin and as a deep conditioning treatment to add some shine to dull or damaged locks.
And, as it turns out, olive oil may even deserve a spot in your medicine cabinet: Some people swear by olive oil to help clear out excessive earwax buildup and for ear infections.
But does it actually work? And is it safe to put olive oil in your ears? We break down everything you need to know about these two popular home remedies.
Can Olive Oil Help Clear Earwax Buildup?
The short answer here is maybe.
Earwax (a.k.a. cerumen) is naturally secreted by glands in your ear canal, which helps clean and lubricate your ears, and trap dust and other particles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Typically, ear wax gradually makes its way to the ear opening and falls out, since your ears are self-cleaning. But earwax can build up and potentially block the ear canal for a few reasons:
Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media), Causes, SIgns and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.
You may simply produce more wax than the average person
You could also have abnormally narrow ear canals that get blocked by wax more easily
If you try to clean your ears with a cotton swab like a Q-tip, you may actually be pushing wax in deeper, causing a blockage
You wear hearing aids, which can stimulate ear wax production while simultaneously blocking wax from leaving the ear canal (double whammy!)
This annoying wax buildup can cause pain, mess with your hearing (and interfere with hearing aid effectiveness), ear aches, and ear infections. So you want to deal with it quickly! (Keep in mind, if you’re having really unpleasant symptoms, it’s always smart to call your doc.)
Adding several drops of olive oil to your affected ear is thought to soften earwax and help it come out naturally. But how effective is it?
Both oil-based (typically olive oil or almond oil) and water-based ear drop solutions (often containing sodium bicarbonate) have been recommended by some healthcare professionals for years for wax buildup, although research on their effectiveness is mixed. At least one study suggests that applying either type of drop for 5 days helps clear out earwax better than no treatment at all. The oil-based drops used in these studies likely contained additional ingredients, so it’s not clear how much of the benefit was due to the olive oil alone.
Another study, from 2013, found that participants who applied 0.05 ml of olive oil to one ear every night for 6 months actually had greater wax buildup in that ear than in their non-treated ear. However, the study also found that short-term use of olive oil (one application) right before a doctor removed the ear wax buildup, did make it easier to remove all the wax.
How to use olive oil for earwax buildup:
Results are a bit mixed on whether olive oil will actually help with earwax removal. But trying it out for a short period of time shouldn’t pose much of a risk as long as you do not have a ruptured eardrum (to be safe, clear it with your doc first, or consult an ENT specialist).
Using these steps (which are adapted from the UK’s National Health Institute, NHS), apply olive oil to your affected ear 1-2 times a day for up to a week:
Add some high quality extra virgin olive oil to a dropper bottle; or add oil to a small bowl, but make sure you have a dropper on hand for easy application.
Slightly warm the oil to around skin temperature (do not make it hot).
Lie down on your side with your affected ear facing up.
Gently pull the outer part of your ear back and up to “open” the ear canal.
Using the dropper, release 2-4 drops of oil into the ear. No dropper? You can soak a cotton ball in olive oil and squeeze it over your ear to release the oil.
Massage the skin that's in front of the entrance of the ear canal to help the oil work its way in.
Remain lying down for a few minutes so the oil has time to penetrate the ear canal.
Stand up and watch out for olive oil drippage!
If you’re not experiencing relief (or noticing wax elimination) after about a week, call your doctor. They can remove the wax by using a small curved instrument called a curet, flushing it out with warm water, or with gentle microsuction. You don’t want to self-treat with olive oil for too long, since it may contribute to wax buildup over time, as mentioned above.
Can Olive Oil Help Treat Ear Infections?
Once again, there’s no clear scientific consensus on olive oil’s effectiveness for treating ear infections, but some findings are promising.
The most common type of ear infection—acute otitis media (AOM)—occurs when fluid builds up in the middle ear, and its symptoms include ear pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear, and hearing loss. It is often caused by bacteria (usually Streptococcus pneumoniae), but can also be caused by viruses, according to the CDC. With viruses like colds, fluid builds up in the middle ear and then bacteria grows in the fluid which leads to AOM. Ear infections are much more common in children, but can occur in adults as well.
With AOM, doctors often recommend a “watchful waiting” approach, since your body can typically fight off the infection on its own, but if symptoms persist for several days, antibiotics may be necessary (so don’t hesitate to call your doc if things are really bad or not improving).
How to Treat Fluid in the Ear | Ear Problems
So where does olive oil come into the picture? It may be worth putting some DIY olive oil drops in your affected ear during your “watchful waiting” period. After all, extra virgin olive oil is unlikely to irritate the ear and it’s chock full of bioactive compounds, some of which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, including hydroxytyrosol.
While doctors don’t necessarily endorse olive oil as a treatment for ear infections, well known pediatricians like Dr. Bill Sears, MD, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, say that it may help alleviate the pain that accompanies ear infections—and that's great, since the pain is the worst part!
One study from 2003 found that ear drops made from olive oil and a combination of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory herbs such as lavender, garlic, and calendula, helped reduce ear infection-related pain in children. Of course, the benefit likely came from the combination of olive oil and these herbs.
How to use olive oil for ear infections and earaches:
To use olive oil for ear infections—or, more specifically, for the pain associated with ear infections—use the same instructions listed above for applying the oil to your ear. Consider applying drops twice a day for up to 3 days, but be sure to call your doctor if symptoms don’t start to improve within that time, since you may need antibiotics.
Some people take things a step further and make garlic-infused olive oil ear drops, which have additional antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Here’s a quick how-to for garlic-infused olive oil ear drops:
Add 1 crushed clove of garlic and 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil to a small pot or pan
Set heat to low and warm the garlic and oil in the pan (don’t let it get hot or bubble)
To help diffuse the garlic, swirl the olive oil around the pan until things get fragrant
Remove the pan from the heat and allow your garlic oil mixture to cool
Strain out the garlic solids and discard; pour the infused oil into a dropper bottle
Important safety note: Always refrigerate homemade garlic-infused ear drops, and use them up (or discard) within 3 days. Otherwise, harmful toxins could begin to accumulate, according to the International Association for Food Protection.
What Type Of Olive Oil Should You Use In Your Ears?
Extra virgin olive oil, hands down. This is the type of olive oil with the highest levels of antioxidants. Plus, extra virgin olive oil is never treated with heat or chemicals, so you can be sure that you’re getting a pure product.
Safety Precautions When Using Olive Oil For Ear Problems
While using olive oil in your ears is relatively harmless over the short-term, you do not want to use it if you suspect you have a ruptured eardrum. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of a ruptured eardrum include ear pain that may subside quickly; mucuslike, pus-filled, or bloody drainage from your ear; hearing loss; ringing in your ear (tinnitus); a spinning sensation (vertigo); and nausea or vomiting that can result from vertigo.
Additionally, you never want to use hot olive oil in your ears—warm is fine, but hot oil can seriously burn your skin and damage your eardrum.
Finally, remember that olive oil isn’t a magic bullet for any medical condition. So if you have any concerns or adverse side effects, be sure to contact your doctor or a healthcare professional.
How do you get rid of an ear infection fast?
Can Home Remedies Help Your Ear Pain?
You may think of ear infections as something only kids get. Ear infections are less common in grown children and adults, but they can still happen.
Ear infections often go away on their own and don’t need medical attention. There are things you can try to ease ear pain at home.
Home Care to Relieve Ear Pain
If you have ear pain, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about it.
There’s little research to say whether or not home care works, but most doctors agree these treatments are safe to try yourself:
A cool or warm compress. Soak a washcloth in either cool or warm water, wring it out, and then put it over the ear that's bothering you. Try both temperatures to see if one helps you more than the other.
A heating pad: Lay your painful ear on a warm, not hot, heating pad.
Over-the-counter ear drops with pain relievers. If they help at all, it’s only briefly. You shouldn’t use these drops if your eardrum has a tear or hole, so check with your doctor first.
Pain reliever. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can often relieve the pain of an earache. Ask your doctor which is right for you.
Chew gum. If you’re on an airplane or driving at high altitudes and your ear pain is from the change in air pressure, chew some gum. It can help lower that pressure and ease your symptoms.
Sleep upright. While it may sound strange, resting or sleeping sitting up rather than lying down can encourage fluid in your ear to drain. This could ease pressure and pain in your middle ear. Prop yourself up in bed with a stack of pillows, or sleep in an armchair that’s a bit reclined.
When to Call a Doctor
Ear pain often gets better in 2 or 3 days on its own or with home care. Often all you need to do is take a pain reliever and be alert for symptoms that get worse. That said, it’s important to know when your discomfort might be a sign of something more serious.
Feeling of fluid in Ears | Causes & Treatment Modality - Dr. Harihara Murthy | Doctors' Circle
Call your doctor if:
You notice fluid (such as pus or blood) oozing out of your ear.
You have a high fever, headache, or are dizzy.
You believe an object is stuck in your ear.
You see swelling behind your ear, especially if that side of your face feels weak or you can’t move the muscles there.
You’ve had severe ear pain and it suddenly stops (which could mean a ruptured eardrum).
Your symptoms don’t get better (or get worse) in 24 to 48 hours.
Is olive oil good for an ear infection?
Olive oil is one of the most common cooking oils and a staple in the Mediterranean diet. It has many health benefits too, including lowering your risk of cancer, heart disease, and other conditions.
It’s also a traditional remedy for removing ear wax and treating ear infections. Read on to learn more about the effectiveness of using olive oil in your ears and how to try it for yourself.
How effective is it?
For ear wax
Ear wax is produced by glands at the entrance to your ear canal to lubricate and protect your skin. It usually doesn’t need to be removed. However, a buildup of wax can sometimes affect your hearing, cause discomfort, or interfere with hearing aid use. It can also trap bacteria, increasing your risk of developing an ear infection.
There aren’t many large, high-quality studies about the effectiveness of olive oil for removing ear wax. A 2013 study followed participants who applied olive oil to their ears every night for 24 weeks. Over time, olive oil actually increased the amount of ear wax. However, applying olive oil to the ear just before having a doctor remove extra ear wax did seem to help ensure that all the wax was removed.
When it comes to removing ear wax, it’s best to stick with ear drops specifically designed for removing ear wax. You can purchase these on Amazon.
For ear infection
Some people also use olive oil to treat ear pain caused by an infection. Olive oil does have some antibacterial propertiesTrusted Source, but it’s unclear whether it kills the types of bacteria that cause ear infections.
Still, a 2003 study found that herbal ear drops containing olive oil helped to reduce pain from an ear infection in children. Keep in mind that these drops also contained soothing herbs, such as lavender and calendula, in addition to olive oil.
How do I use it?
While there’s no clear evidence about the effectiveness of olive oil on its own for common ear problems, it’s also not associated with any serious health consequences, so you can still try it to see for yourself.
To apply drops to your ear, use a glass dropper or you can dip a cotton swab in olive oil and allow the excess to drip into your ear. Don’t put the cotton swab or any other object in your ear.
You can use room-temperature olive oil, though some people prefer to warm it up in a pan over low heat. Make sure to test the temperature on your skin first. The oil should be just slightly warm, not hot.
Follow these instructions to safely apply olive oil to your ears at home:
Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
Gently pull your outer part of your ear back and up to open your ear canal.
Put two or three drops of olive oil in the opening of your ear.
Gently massage the skin at the front of the entrance to your ear canal to help the oil work its way in.
Remain on your side for 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe away any extra oil that drips from your ear when you sit up.
Repeat in the other ear if needed.
Tailor the application to your need, and contact your doctor if you aren’t seeing the desired results:
For ear wax removal, do this once a day for one or two weeks. If you’re not feeling any relief by then, contact your doctor. Remember, long-term use of olive oil in your ear may lead to even more built-up wax.
To treat an ear infection, do this twice a day for two to three days. If your symptoms aren’t getting any better after a few days, or you develop a fever, see your doctor.
WERBUNG
How is fluid in the ear treated? - Dr. Harihara Murthy
How to choose a product
It’s important to choose a high-quality olive oil if you’re using it for medicinal purposes. When choosing an olive oil, look for extra virgin olive oil. This type of olive oil isn’t chemically processed, (processing can reduce some of its therapeutic benefits).
You can also purchase olive oil–based herbal ear drops. These contain extracts from medicinal plants, such as garlic, that might provide added benefits. You can purchase these drops on Amazon.
Is it safe to use?
While olive oil is generally safe, there are a few precautions you should take when using it in your ears.
Don’t use olive oil or any other product in the ear if you have a ruptured ear drum. If you’re not sure if you have a ruptured ear drum, see your doctor before using any remedy in your ear, including natural remedies.
Don’t place cotton swabs or any other object inside the ear to remove wax or relieve itching. This can easily damage your ear drum or push wax deeper into your ear. Putting cotton swabs in your ear also increases your risk of developing an ear infection. It’s also responsible for sending thousands of children to the emergency room with ear injuries each year.
Finally, make sure to use only room-temperature or just slightly warmed olive oil to avoid burning the delicate skin in your ear.
The bottom line
Olive oil may have some benefits for your ears, but it can sometimes do more harm than good, especially when it comes to removing ear wax.
You can try using it for a short period of time for both ear wax removal or ear pain from an infection, but make sure to follow up with your doctor if your symptoms don’t start to improve within a few days or weeks.
You should also steer clear of this natural remedy if you have a ruptured ear drum. Choose another approach that is better supported with research.
What should you avoid with an ear infection?
Ear Infection Questions
Is this your child's symptom?
Your child was diagnosed with an ear infection
Your child's ears were recently looked at by a doctor
You are worried that the fever or ear pain is not getting better fast enough
Your child is still taking an antibiotic for the ear infection
Symptoms of Ear Infections
The main symptom is an earache.
Younger children will cry, act fussy or have trouble sleeping because of pain.
About 50% of children with an ear infection will have a fever.
Complication: In 5% to 10% of children, the eardrum will develop a small tear. This is from the pressure in the middle ear. The ear then drains cloudy fluid or pus. This small hole most often heals over in 2 or 3 days.
Cause of Ear Infections
A bacterial infection of the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum)
Blocked eustachian tube, usually as part of a common cold. The eustachian tube joins the middle ear to the back of the throat.
Blockage results in middle ear fluid (called viral otitis).
If the fluid becomes infected (bacterial otitis), the fluid turns to pus. This causes the eardrum to bulge out and can cause a lot of pain.
Ear infections peak at age 6 months to 2 years. They are a common problem until age 8.
The onset of ear infections is often on day 3 of a cold.
How often do kids get ear infections? 90% of children have at least 1 ear infection. Frequent ear infections occur in 20% of children. Ear infections are the most common bacterial infection of young children.
When to Call for Ear Infection Questions
Call 911 Now
Not moving or too weak to stand
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
Stiff neck (can't touch chin to the chest)
Walking is not steady
Fever over 104° F (40° C)
Ear pain is severe and not better 2 hours after taking ibuprofen
Crying is bad and not better 2 hours after taking ibuprofen
Pink or red swelling behind the ear
Crooked smile (weakness of 1 side of the face)
New vomiting
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Taking antibiotic more than 48 hours and fever still there or comes back
Taking antibiotic more than 3 days and ear pain not better
Taking antibiotic more than 3 days and ear discharge still there or comes back
You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
Ear infection on antibiotic with no other problems
Normal hearing loss with an ear infection
Prevention of ear infections
Ear tube (ventilation tube) surgery questions
Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations
If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.
Olive Oil: for Ear Infections (and Wax)
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Everett
Federal Way
Seattle
Care Advice
Treatment for an Ear Infection
What You Should Know About Ear Infections:
Ear infections are very common in young children.
Most ear infections are not cured after the first dose of antibiotic.
Often, children don't get better the first day.
Most children get better slowly over 2 to 3 days.
Note: For mild ear infections in older children, antibiotics may not be needed. This is an option if over 2 years old and infection looks viral.
Here is some care advice that should help.
Keep Giving the Antibiotic:
The antibiotic will kill the bacteria that are causing the ear infection.
Try not to forget any of the doses.
Give the antibiotic until it is gone. Reason: To stop the ear infection from flaring up again.
Fever Medicine:
For fevers above 102° F (39° C), give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
Note: Fevers less than 102° F (39° C) are important for fighting infections.
For all fevers: Keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.
Pain Medicine:
To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
Use as needed.
Cold Pack for Pain:
Put a cold wet washcloth on the outer ear for 20 minutes. This should help the pain until the pain medicine starts to work.
Note: Some children prefer heat for 20 minutes.
Caution: Heat or cold kept on too long could cause a burn or frostbite.
Limits on Activity:
Your child can go outside and does not need to cover the ears.
Swimming is fine as long as there is no drainage from the ear. Also, do not swim if there is a tear in the eardrum.
Air Travel. Children with ear infections can travel safely by aircraft if they are taking antibiotics. For most, flying will not make their ear pain worse.
Give your child a dose of ibuprofen 1 hour before take-off. This will help with any pain they might have. Also, during descent (coming down for landing) have your child swallow fluids. Sucking on a pacifier may help as well. Children over age 6 can chew gum.
Return to School:
Your child can go back to school when any fever is gone.
Your child should feel well enough to join in normal activities.
Ear infections cannot be spread to others.
What to Expect:
Once on antibiotics, your child will get better in 2 or 3 days.
Make sure you give your child the antibiotic as directed.
The fever should be gone by 2 days (48 hours).
The ear pain should be better by 2 days. It should be gone by 3 days (72 hours).
Ear Infection Discharge:
If pus is draining from the ear, the eardrum probably has a small tear. This can be normal with an ear infection. Discharge can also occur if your child has ear tubes.
The pus may be blood-tinged.
Most often, this heals well after the ear infection is treated.
Wipe the discharge away as you see it.
Do not plug the ear canal with cotton. (Reason: Retained pus can cause an infection of the lining of the ear canal)
Call Your Doctor If:
Fever lasts more than 2 days on antibiotics
Ear pain becomes severe or crying becomes nonstop
Ear pain lasts more than 3 days on antibiotics
Ear discharge is not better after 3 days on antibiotics
You think your child needs to be seen
Your child becomes worse
Treatment for Hearing Loss with an Ear Infection
Ear Bites: Ear Wax - How to remove it using Olive Oil
Brief Hearing Loss:
During an ear infection, fluid builds up in the middle ear space.
The fluid can cause a mild hearing loss for a short time.
It will slowly get better and go away with the antibiotic.
The fluid is no longer infected, but sometimes, may take weeks to go away. In 90% of children, it clears up by itself over 1 to 2 months.
Permanent harm to the hearing is very rare.
Talking With Your Child:
Get close to your child and get eye contact.
Speak in a louder voice than you usually use.
Decrease any background noise from radio or TV while talking with your child.
Call Your Doctor If:
Hearing loss not better after the antibiotic is done.
Prevention of Recurrent Ear Infections
What You Should Know:
Some children have ear infections that keep coming back.
If this is your child's case, here are some ways to prevent future ones.
Avoid Tobacco Smoke:
Contact with tobacco smoke can lead to ear infections.
It also makes them harder to treat.
No one should smoke around your child. This includes in your home, your car or at child care.
Avoid Colds:
Most ear infections start with a cold. During the first year of life, try to reduce contact with other sick children.
Try to put off using a large child care center during the first year. Instead, try using a sitter in your home. Another option might be a small home-based child care.
Breastfeed:
Breastfeed your baby during the first 6 to 12 months of life.
Antibodies in breast milk lower the rate of ear infections.
If you breastfeed, continue it.
If you do not, think about it with your next child.
Do Not Prop the Bottle:
During feedings, hold your baby with the head higher than the stomach.
Feeding while lying down flat can lead to ear infections. It causes formula to flow back into the middle ear.
Having babies hold their own bottle also causes milk to drain into the middle ear.
Get All Suggested Vaccines:
Vaccines protect your child from serious infections.
The pneumococcal and flu shots also help to prevent some ear infections.
Control Allergies:
Allergies may lead to some ear infections.
If your baby has a constant runny or blocked nose, suspect an allergy.
If your child has other allergies like eczema, ask your child's doctor about this. The doctor can check for a milk protein or soy protein allergy.
Check Any Snoring:
Large adenoids can cause snoring or mouth breathing. Suspect this if your toddler snores every night or breathes through his mouth.
Large adenoids can contribute to ear infections.
Talk to your child's doctor about this.
Ear Tube Surgery Questions
Ear Tubes:
Ear tubes are tiny plastic tubes that are put through the eardrum. They are placed by an ENT doctor.
The tubes allow fluid to drain out of the middle ear space. They also allow air to re-enter the space.
This lowers the risk of repeated ear infections and returns the hearing to normal.
Ear Tubes - When Are They Needed?
Fluid has been present in the middle ear nonstop for over 4 months. Both ears have fluid.
Also, the fluid has caused a hearing loss greater than 20 decibels.
Hearing should be tested first. Some children have nearly normal hearing and tubes are not needed.
Ear infections that do not clear up after trying many antibiotics may need tubes.
Prevention should be tried before turning to surgery.
Talk to your child's doctor about when ear tubes are needed.
What to Expect:
In most cases, the tubes come out after about a year. They fall out of the ear on their own. This happens with the normal movement of earwax.
If the tubes stay in over 2 years, talk with your child's doctor. The surgeon may need to take them out.
Risks of Ear Tubes:
After the tubes come out, they may leave scars on the eardrum. They may also leave a small hole that doesn't heal. Both of these problems can cause a small hearing loss.
Because of these possible problems, there is a small risk with ear tubes. There is also a small risk when giving anesthesia to young children.
Therefore, doctors suggest ear tubes only for children who really need them.
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Can you put oil in infected ear?
2-Ingredient Mixture To Effectively Help Eliminate Earwax And Ear Infections
The ears are one of the most sensitive body parts, and their cleanliness should be one of our priorities. Our ear canals produce earwax as a way to protect the ears from dust, foreign particles, and microorganisms, and themselves from irritations as a result of water.
The excess earwax leaves the ear canal from the ear opening naturally, but sometimes, the excessive production of wax in the ear canals can block the ear, and even lead to hearing loss.
DIY Natural Home Remedy for Earache/Infection----Garlic!
Here are the symptoms of earwax buildup:
Earache
sudden or partial hearing loss
tinnitus, ringing or buzzing in the ear
a feeling of fullness in the ear
If the earwax buildup is not eliminated on time, it can lead to an infection, which is often characterized by:
fever
severe pain in the ear
Dizziness
pain in the ear that doesn’t subside
drainage from the ear
coughing
persistent hearing loss
an odor coming from your ear
Yet, researchers have found that the use of Q-tips as means to clean the ears and eliminate the earwax buildup can do more harm than good.
Moreover, there are various over-the-counter solutions for cleaning the ears in pharmacies, but apparently, findings an effective, safe, and natural way to prevent ear infections and get rid of earwax is our best option.
We suggest a two-ingredient natural remedy which can help you disinfect the ears and clean them in a completely safe way.
It contains rubbing alcohol, which eradicates 85% of all aerobic bacterial contamination tit touches, and white vinegar, which offers amazing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
This combination fights mild or moderate infections, breaks down the earwax, and dries the ear in an entirely painless way.
Here is how to use it:
Mix the rubbing alcohol and the white vinegar, and drop 5ml of it in the ear. Keep the head tilted for about a minute, and then put the head upright to help the remaining mixture to run out of the ear. Apply the remedy in both ears, and repeat daily.
Using Eardrops
Ear drops that may help with an ear infection can be purchased or they can be made at home. Non-prescription eardrops may be helpful in treating mild cases of swimmer’s ear. Eardrops can be made at home or purchased over the counter.
According to ear specialists, a simple at-home blend can be made by making a mixture of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar. Using a few drops into the ears can help dry out the ear canal and support the healing process.
These drops should also not be used in people who have ear tubes (T-tubes), permanent injuries to their eardrum, or certain ear surgeries.
If the infection is not getting better or other symptoms develop, a person should stop using the drops and see their doctor.
Eardrops should not be used in an ear that has any discharge coming from it unless prescribed by a doctor.
Ear discharge, drainage, or blood is a sign of a bigger complication, such as a ruptured eardrum, which needs immediate medical attention.
How to Use Alcohol to Clean Out Earwax
The Best Ear Pain Remedy – Dr.Berg
6 More Home Remedies To Beat Ear Infections
Garlic
Garlic has potent antimicrobial and pain relieving properties that make highly effective as a home remedy for ear infections. There are several different ways you can employ garlic as a natural earache remedy.
Make your own garlic oil by cooking two cloves in two tablespoons of mustard oil until it becomes black in color. Strain the liquid and when it is just hot enough for you to bear, put a few drops in the affected ear. Be sure to use a clean dropper for this method.
You can also boil a few fresh cloves of garlic in water for about five minutes. Crush them and add a little real salt. Put this mixture into a clean cloth and place it against the ear that is hurting.
In addition to the above remedies with garlic, you can also consume a few cloves of fresh garlic daily to help boost your immunity and speed up healing.
Olive Oil
There are many reasons for an ear infection but one very common one is when wax in the ear is attacked by a fungal or bacterial growth which leads to a blockage in the Eustachian tubes. This obstruction can be cleared easily with the help of olive oil.
Warm up some olive oil on the stove (on low heat). Dribble the oil into the infected ear. When the oil hits the wax it will soften. After this, remove the wax with a cotton swab. However, do not put the swab too far into the ear as you may damage the eardrum.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is touted as the “go to” remedy, one that your grandmother may have relied upon. Despite its strong aroma and acidic taste, this vinegar made from fermented apples has a plethora of healing properties.
One of these properties is its antibacterial and antifungal characteristics. Known for its ability to fight chronic yeast infections, apple cider vinegar can also tackle fungus that may cause ear infections.
To use apple cider vinegar for ear infections, mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution. Place the cotton ball in your affected ear and let it sit for five minutes or so. Remove the cotton ball and lay down on your opposite side so that any residual vinegar can drain from your ear. Dry your ear out with a hair dryer set on low.
Note: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can use white vinegar. If you know that the location of your infection in in the Eustachian tubes, you can try gargling with apple cider vinegar as well.
Salt Compress
A warm compress may help relieve the pressure building up in the ear as well. Using a compress for 20-minute periods while resting can help reduce pain. This can be done along with other pain treatments, including over-the-counter medications.
Most people have no trouble finding a little salt in their home. Heat up one cup of salt over low heat for just a few minutes. Place the warm salt in a clean and soft cloth. Secure the end of the cloth with a rubber band. When you can stand the temperature, lay down and place the cloth on the affected ear for about ten minutes. Repeat this daily to help bring relief. The warm salt will help draw out the fluid from the ear and reduce pain and swelling.
Basil
Basil is an herb with many therapeutic properties. Basil is high in antioxidants and also contains potent antibacterial properties. To use basil crush five fresh holy basil leaves very gently to expel the juice. Apply the basil juice on and around the affected ear. Be careful not to get any of the juice in the ear canal. Alternatively, mix a few drops of holy basil oil with an equal amount of coconut oil and soak a cotton ball in the mixture. Wipe gently just inside the ear, around the outside of the ear and behind the ear with the mixture.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has a number of amazing therapeutic properties including; antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial, fungicide, insecticide, balsamic, expectorant and stimulant.
All of these properties make tea tree oil and excellent herbal remedy to turn to when you have ear pain or infection. Mix a few drops of oil with a tablespoon of olive oil and warm slightly. Fill a clean dropper with the mixture and drop into the infected ear. Lay on your side with the oil in your ear for about three minutes. Turn your head to drain the oil out.
Repeat daily until the pain subsides.
Can olive oil make earache worse?
Olive oil has been used as a home remedy for clearing earwax and treating ear infections for years. It may help break up hardened earwax that is blocking the ear canal, while hydrating the skin in the ear. Using olive oil in the ear does not seem to be dangerous, but it has not been proven as an effective way of treating earwax or ear infections.1
Earwax (cerumen), the yellow waxy secretion from the outer ear, plays an important role in keeping ears healthy. There is no reason to remove it if it is not causing issues or hearing loss.
Ear Problems & Infections : How to Drain Inner Ear Infection
Earwax is produced by glands in the ear canal. It makes its way to the outer ear, and eventually falls out or is washed out. Earwax protects the ear by trapping dirt and bacteria and keeping them from traveling inside the ear. It also blocks water from entering the ear canal and irritating the sensitive skin inside the ear.2
Some people produce more earwax than the ear needs, leading to a buildup of hardened wax that can block the ear canal. Attempting to remove it on your own with a cotton swab could push the hardened wax deeper into the ear canal.
Pouring extra virgin olive oil in a glass bowl
fcafotodigital / Getty Images
Does Olive Oil Work?
The limited research available has found that using a small amount of olive oil in the ears is most likely safe. However, it has yet to be proven to be effective at helping with earwax or ear infections.1
Research indicates that olive oil is not as successful at breaking up excess earwax as over-the-counter ear drops.3 Symptoms of an earwax buildup include a feeling of fullness inside the ear, pain, tinnitus (a ringing, roaring, or other noise in the ear), and partial hearing loss.2
Earwax
Olive oil can soften hardened earwax and allow it to be removed from the ear more easily. It's important to note that olive oil does not dissolve earwax.
A 2013 study followed people who placed a drop of olive oil in one ear every day for 24 weeks. Researchers found that the participants who used olive oil daily developed more earwax in the treated ear than in the ear that was not treated. In fact, participants experienced 99.5% more earwax in the ear treated with olive oil than the other ear. However, spraying olive oil into the ear before a physician-performed irrigation appeared to help remove the earwax more easily.1
A 2020 review also found that putting warm olive oil into the ear before doctor irrigation was effective at softening the wax before the procedure.3 Ear irrigation involves flushing the ear with warm water and sometimes removing excess wax by hand. It’s important to note that many of the reviewed studies were very small, and more research is required before it’s safe to draw conclusions about using olive oil to treat earwax.
Find out the Pros and Cons of Earwax
Ear Infection
Olive oil has been proven to have antimicrobial properties, but it is not clear if it can kill the bacteria that lead to ear infections.4
Homeopathic Remedies for Ear Infections
How Safe Is It?
It appears that placing a small amount of olive oil into your ears is safe in most cases. Side effects of using olive oil in the ear are rare, but they may include itching, dizziness, skin irritation, and inflammation of the outer ear canal.
The safest way to remove excess earwax at home is with a clean washcloth in the shower. Cotton balls and applicator tips should be avoided because it is easy to push the swab too far into the ear canal and damage the eardrum.5
If you are concerned that you have a ruptured eardrum, do not place any liquid, including olive oil, in your ear. Rather, see your doctor right away. Symptoms of a ruptured eardrum include ear pain, drainage, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and weakness of the facial muscles. The discharge associated with a ruptured eardrum may be clear, bloody, or filled with pus.6
What Your Ear Pain Means and What You Should Do About It
How to Use It
Always check with your doctor before starting a new health regimen. If you’d like to try using olive oil to remove excess earwax, be mindful that this treatment has not been medically proven.
To place a drop of olive oil into your ear, fill a clean eyedropper with olive oil. This will help control the amount of olive oil used. Lie on the opposite side of the affected ear, and gently squeeze one drop into your ear. It may help to gently pull your outer ear up and back to open your ear canal. Then lightly massage your ear to work the olive oil into the hardened wax.
Once you have cleaned out your ears, dry them thoroughly with a clean towel. A hair dryer set to the warm (not hot) setting may help as well. Try this process once per week for one to two weeks. If you don’t notice any improvement or if you experience side effects, see your doctor.
How Safely Clean Your Ears Without Risking Wax Impaction
When to Call a Doctor
Check with your doctor before starting a new olive oil regimen in your ears. Your doctor may have more effective tools for removing earwax or treating ear infections. Your primary care doctor or an otolaryngologist (also called an ear, nose, and throat, or ENT, doctor) can help you treat a buildup of earwax by irrigating the ear canal in their office and removing the wax with special tools. If you wear hearing aids, see your doctor every three to six months to check your ears for excess earwax.
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Call your doctor if you develop symptoms of a ruptured eardrum such as pain or discharge. Any hearing loss should also be reported to your doctor right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you put olive oil in your ear?
To put olive oil into your ear, use a clean eyedropper to draw olive oil out of its bottle. Lie on the opposite side you plan to treat, and gently place one drop of olive oil into your ear. Pull your outer ear up and back to open your ear canal.
How long should you leave olive oil in your ear?
The current research has not determined an exact amount of time. Start by placing the olive oil in your ear and remaining on your side for five minutes. It may be helpful to lightly massage your ear to work the olive oil into the earwax.
What is the best type of olive oil to put in your ear?
Whether you are cooking with olive oil or placing it in your ear, it’s important to buy a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil that is free of chemicals and artificial additives. Look for cold-pressed olive oil because it has not been damaged by heat and still contains health benefits.
Is it safe to put olive oil in your ear?
The limited research available suggests that while putting olive oil into your ears may not be effective at treating earwax or ear infections, it is most likely safe. Stick with quality extra-virgin olive oil and start with just one drop or spray. If you believe that you have any broken skin in your ear or a ruptured eardrum, do not use olive oil.
Does olive oil dissolve earwax?
No, olive oil does not dissolve earwax. It’s believed that olive oil may help soften and loosen hardened earwax, making it easier to remove from the ear canal.
Can olive oil make earwax worse?
Yes, it is possible that olive oil could make earwax worse. A 2013 study found that people who placed olive oil drops into one ear every day experienced significantly more earwax in the treated ear than in the untreated one.1
A Word From Verywell
Using olive oil to naturally treat a buildup of earwax has not been proven effective, but it is most likely safe to try. Side effects are rare and may include itching, dizziness, skin irritation, and inflammation of the outer ear canal. To place olive oil into your ear, lie on your side and place one drop into the ear canal using a clean eyedropper.
Never place olive oil (or any other substance) in your ears if you believe that you have a ruptured eardrum. Talk with your doctor about the most effective treatments for earwax and ear infections.
Using olive oil to break up earwax is a home remedy some people use to remove earwax plugs from the ear. But does olive oil work, and is it safe?
Earwax is a thick substance that helps moisturize and protect the ears. It also helps remove dirt and dead skin cells in the ear.
Though many people feel the need to clean their ears and remove the excess wax, there is no medical or hygiene need to do so. The ear is completely self-cleaning, and earwax plays an essential role in this process.
People produce different amounts of earwax, and this is unrelated to hygiene. In particular, older people and those with lots of hair in their ears are more likely to have larger amounts of earwax.
Read on for the answers to some common questions about using olive oil in the ears.
Uses
Olive oil can break up earwax that has become stuck in the ear canal.
People can use warm olive oil to help break up earwax that has hardened and become stuck in the ear canal. The oil helps to soften the earwax, making it easier for it to move out of the canal.
In addition, some people suggest that placing a few drops of warmed olive oil into the ear of someone with an ear infection can be soothing and comforting.
While it is unlikely to cause harm, there is no research to show that this remedy is effective.
Though most people are aware of the risk of using cotton swabs to clean their ears, many still admit that they use them to remove excess earwax.
Vertigo Treatment – Inner Ear Problem
By using cotton swabs, there is a risk of accidentally sticking the swab too deep into the ear and damaging the eardrum.
Also, cotton swabs can push earwax deeper into the ear canal where it can harden and become a plug. Olive oil may be a safe alternative.
Does it work?
The authors of a 2013 study looked at people who placed drops of olive oil in their ear every night to see if the oil altered the amount of earwax.
They found that, contrary to their hypothesis, the earwax actually increased in the ears of people who used olive oil drops regularly, and the oil did not help it come out naturally.
However, they also found that the wax was more easily removable when people sprayed olive oil into their ear just prior to a doctor’s irrigation.
Some practitioners caution on the use of olive oil as the wax expands and can increase pain.
A 2010 studyTrusted Source suggested that olive oil was more effective than no treatment but less effective than triethanolamine polypeptide, a type of eardrop that a doctor may use.
The researchers found that wet irrigation, such as with water or olive oil, is better than dry irrigation. They also found that adverse events from at-home irrigation were minor, so using olive oil might be a safe option.
How to use olive oil
Talk to your doctor to find out if olive oil is right for you.
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To put olive oil in the ear, lie down on one side with the affected ear facing upward. Then gently pull the upper ear up and back. This method opens the ear canal and helps the oil go straight into the canal.
Use an eyedropper to drop 2–3 drops of oil into the ear. Some people prefer to dip a cotton swab into the oil and allow the oil to drip into the ear. Take care not to put the eyedropper or cotton swab directly into the ear canal.
Gently rub the skin in front of the ear, near the jaw, to help the oil settle down into the canal.
Remain lying down to let the ear absorb the oil. Oil may run out of the ear upon standing. If this happens, use a tissue to wipe it up.
Some people chose to warm the oil before putting it in their ear. Make sure to place a few drops of the oil on the inside of the wrist to test the temperature. Do not place the oil in the ear if it is too hot.
If a person does not get relief from the oil, it is best to see a doctor.
Safety and risks
Olive oil can cause itching in the ear or dizziness.
Olive oil is generally safe to use in small quantities in the ear. However, people with a ruptured eardrum should never put olive oil or other substances in the ear.
Irrigating the ear with olive oil can cause side effects such as itching, outer ear infections, dizziness, and skin irritation.
Anyone with an allergy to olives or olive oil should not try this remedy.
It is also vital to be cautious when using this home remedy with children. Do not use hot olive oil, as it may burn the child.
When to see a doctor
If someone has ear pain that does not go away after a few days of home remedies, it is best to see a doctor.
Also, anyone who suspects that they might have a ruptured eardrum or symptoms of an ear infection, such as pain and swelling, should contact their doctor.
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Essential Oils for Ear Discomfort: Proven Essential Oils for Ear Infection
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Summary
Though using olive oil in the ear may have some benefits, there is not sufficient research to conclude that it is more effective than medical remedies. Some research suggests it may make an earwax buildup worse.
However, it is usually safe to try this home remedy as long as a person takes a few precautions, such as using a small amount and not overheating it.
Anyone who wishes to try using olive oil for an earwax buildup or ear pain should consult a doctor if their symptoms do not improve.
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