Home Remedy for Earache/Ear Infection

[SRUAlmn]

I get ear infections when the seasons change and get colder almost every year like clockwork. I have been feeling it coming on and it is now pretty full fledged and I think in both ears. The problem is that I have a HORRIBLE fear of doctors and medical things (stems from my father dying when I was younger I'm sure.) I really do not want to have to go to a doctor and also pay a $25 co-pay only to find out that I already knew what it was. Does anyone know of any home remedies or over the counter items I could use to help it? I have tried putting moist heat on it and it seems to help a little. Anything else?

Thanks

 

[pw2pp]

In my opinion, if you have a "full-fledged" "ear infection"......
you should absolutely go to the doctor and fork out the $25. You NEED antibiotics.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thank you for your advice, but I am not going to go to the doctor. It's going to cost me a $25 co-pay for the doctor, a $20 co-pay for the antibiotics (and I can't even take pills) plus a panic attack in the doctor's office. I know people will surely have comments about this so I'm putting on my flame suit. I know I am a baby, but it is really a horrible sight to try to get me to go to a doctor.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

DH bought these over the counter "homeopathic" ear drops and we use them anytime we have ear aches coming on. The kids actually ask for the drops....and I also have taken them and think they really bring relief.

Can't remember how expensive they are but they are called "Similasan" ear drops....they come in a small .33 oz glass-like bottle......we either got them at CVS or Rite Aid......

Good luck!!!!

Oh...and I don't blame you for not wanting to go to the doctor...I am the same way!!!!

 

[kasar]

I've heard of some home remedies for ear infections using hydrogen peroxide and maybe alcohol? Not sure but maybe someone has more information. Good luck - I don't go to the doctors' much myself.

 

[disykat]

Heat, decongestant, and pain reliever are really all I can suggest. Some ear infections do come to a head and then blow over without treatment - so I can see nontreatment as an option. For kids they often don't treat them at all now.

However, I've had ear infections that have had me practically writhing on the floor in pain and involved emergency room visits in the middle of the night to get shots of strong painkiller when Tylenol 3 wasn't strong enough. You might want to consider getting it checked out while it is mild to avoid really bad problems. If you explain your problem over the phone before going maybe they'll find a way to baby you through it - hopefully they could even give you liquid antibiotics that you could take if swallowing pills is a problem.

I understand your fear and empathize. I'm afraid of the dentist. That said, I go every 6 months because I'm even more afraid of having huge problems from not going and having to face more of an ordeal. If I am feeling really anxious I've even had my dh go with me just so I know I'm not alone.

 

[pw2pp]

SRUalm:
I'm not saying it to flame you, I am saying it out of concern.

I am not an expert on adult ear infections, but without treatment your eardrum could break or the infection could spread. I'm pretty sure there is a slight possibility of developing a permanent hearing loss if you don't do something about it.

But if you don't want to go, that is fine. It is your choice of course.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thank you so much, Lisa. I will have to go check out Rite Aid. I actually thought about asking the pharmacists once I got there if they could recommend anything, but I figrued they wouldn't be permitted to give out 'medical advice.'



EDIT: Thank you to everyone, not just Lisa I responded before all the other posts came up. And PW2PP, thank you for your ceoncern. I know it's kind of a catch 22. I'm too scared to go to solve a minor problem, but if it became a major problem I would really have an issue on my hands.

 

[MScott1851]

Auralgan ear drops. They have benzocaine in them.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

The ear drops I have...ingredients are:

chamomilla HPUS 10X
mercurius solubilis HPUS 15X
Sulphur HPUS 12X

I have no idea what any of those are but they are listed as "homeopathic"....so I am assuming they are natural????

 

[delilah]

Well, if you wait long enough, your eardrum will rupture, and the infection will drain out, and the pain will go away. That is how ear infections were treated before we had antibiotic. Doctors used to intentionally lance eardrums. The doctor from whom I purchased my practice was in practice long enough ago so that he had the device to lance eardrums, which, I own, because I bought all his equipment. I've never actually used it, though.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by delilah
Well, if you wait long enough, your eardrum will rupture, and the infection will drain out, and the pain will go away. That is how ear infections were treated before we had antibiotic. Doctors used to intentionally lance eardrums. The doctor from whom I purchased my practice was in practice long enough ago so that he had the device to lance eardrums, which, I own, because I bought all his equipment. I've never actually used it, though.

And then when the drum doesn't heal, develops scar tissue and loses its elasticity, you can spend $$$ on a hearing aid, which may or may not help. To the OP, it seems silly to me to allow a phobia to control one's life to the point that your health and hearing are jeopardized. Looking in the ear and filling a perscription is not an invasive procedure.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I actually went to Rite Aid because we have one right near our house and got the Similasan. It worked great. Don't think it was an infection.

And to the people who posted comments like this:

To the OP, it seems silly to me to allow a phobia to control one's life to the point that your health and hearing are jeopardized. Looking in the ear and filling a perscription is not an invasive procedure.

I don't expect you to understand, and I really hope you realize how blessed you are to not have been through a tragedy that causes the type of reaction in you as this does for me.

 

[TinkerBess_SnowTori]

This might seem really silly - and I might get flamed for it.

BUT

If you have a smoker in your house - have them blow some into your ear. My grandpa used to do it with cigar smoke when we had an ear infection as children ... now I don't know about curing it, but there was something about lying with your head on a pillow in his lap while he rubbed your cheek and blew smoke in your ear.

Sounds a little "sick" now but it is a memory I like ...

And now to be clear - I don't advocate smoking or putting your head in strange old men's laps -- but if you have a smoker you know handy...

might be worth a shot

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Karen:
Did you get "my stuff"??? I thought it was wonderful..but don't want to say too much...


Hopefullly your ears feel better!!!!

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Just reread your post!!!!


Good for you!!!!....

 

[gm]

we have, still do every winter. It is very common in India.

Take a little hot oil, put 1 fresh crushed garlic in it and mix. put a few drops in the ear. It should be warm(not too hot or cold) but make sure that the garlic is sauted in hot oil.

just a home remedy that works for us generation to generations.



Also for a coughing, we take a teaspoon honey and mix it with turmeric powder and swallow it. Works miracles on coughs.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by SRUAlmn
I actually went to Rite Aid because we have one right near our house and got the Similasan. It worked great. Don't think it was an infection.

And to the people who posted comments like this:


I don't expect you to understand, and I really hope you realize how blessed you are to not have been through a tragedy that causes the type of reaction in you as this does for me.

I understand that you may have had a traumatic experience that causes the reaction that you do. Most adults, do not have middle ear infections, but external otitiswhich respond nicely to anti infective ear drops. My concern however, is that in the future, your medical issues may not be so minor. You may one day ignore serious symptoms and not seek medical care because of your feelings. Were I, you, I would ask my friends how they feel about their physicians, do they like them? Do they listen? Do they explain what they are doing and why? Do they feel that their physicians are competent? You need to assess if you would feel differently with a woman MD or are you more comfortable with a male? Would you feel comfortable with a nurse practioner? I think once you answer those questions, you should go to that particular doctor, interview him or her when you are not sick. Explain what your issues are and find a comfortable way to address them.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Ears are all better thanks to Lisa L's drops Just wanted to update everyone. Thanks for the input!

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Glad I could help!!! When DH first bought those drops....I thought...."yeah right".....but they do work wonders....IMHO......and we always have them onhand......