12 Home Remedies for Earaches (Safe for Children & Breastfeeding)
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Waiting patiently will usually get rid of an earache, but they aren’t pleasant. This list of 12 home remedies for earaches for children and adults to help quickly relieve pain. We also have tips to avoid ear infections in the future.
What causes an earache?
Ear pain is most commonly associated with fluid buildup behind the ear drum linked to a middle ear infection. This is also known as acute otitis media (AOM).
Thankfully, you don’t need antibiotics to treat most ear infections. They are viral infections, not bacterial infections. In fact, using antibiotics may cause adverse reactions.
The study “Antibiotics for acute otitis media in children“, reviewed earache treatments for several thousand children. They noted that, “Adverse events (such as vomiting, diarrhea or rash) occurred more often in children taking antibiotics.” Children treated with antibiotics did not get better faster than those who simply waited for the infection to pass.
Ear pain may also be caused by injury, or water or other fluid trapped in the ear. (This includes swimmers ear.)
Safety Tips for Treating an Ear Infection at Home
For infants and toddlers, warm compresses and steam are the safest earache remedies. You may also use plain, warm drops of olive oil or coconut oil. Never use ear drops or oils inside the ear if a child has ear tubes or there is a chance of eardrum perforation.
Older children and adults, including nursing mothers, may use any of the treatments. Do not stick anything deep into your ears, which may cause hearing loss.
Please see your healthcare practitioner if:
- pain is extreme
- your child has a fever over 100.4°F
- discharge is coming from the ears
#1 – My Favorite Home Remedy for Ear Pain – Warm Compresses
When I was a little girl, I remember having an ear infection accompanied by one extremely sore ear. To help me feel better, my mom took a small throw pillow and warmed it up in the oven. She left it in a bit too long, though, and it began to singe. She put the fire out, and I rested my head on one slightly charred pillow – and the pain went away.
Nowadays most houses have microwaves, which make it easier to heat a warm compress for earache treatment. You can buy or make a compress.
We recommend hot packs from Core Products, a small business located in western Wisconsin. They make soft covered hot/cold packs that we use as foot warmers at night and for treating headaches and earaches.
To make a simple warm compress for ear pain relief, place popcorn or rice into an old sock or small pouch. Seal the end and heat in short bursts until warm. Hot water bottles are a great option if you don’t have a microwave – just make sure you don’t get the water too hot.
#2 – Steam
Sometimes you can’t keep a warm compress on your little one’s sore ear. Instead, try plugging in a humidifier or taking a warm shower. (This works for adults, too.)
Colds and sore throats lead to swelling and inflammation in the airways. Opening and relaxing airways with warm, moist air can relieve pressure and ease ear pain.
#3 – Garlic Oil
There are dozens of variations of garlic in olive oil for earaches. One of the ones I like best is the “Children’s Ear Oil” from Herbal Antibiotics. This combines garlic and eucalyptus for a double anti-bacterial, anti-viral punch. Clear the ear infection, and you clear the earache.
Store in a tinted bottle in the refrigerator and use within two weeks.
Children’s Ear Oil
Adapted from Herbal Antibiotics
Ingredients
- 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) good quality olive oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Directions
Place garlic and olive oil in a small sauce pan on low heat. Cook overnight or for eight hours.
Strain, squeezing well to get as much oil as possible out of the garlic. Add eucalyptus essential oil and mix well. Store in a tinted bottle.
To use: Place glass eyedropper in a stream of hot water for 1 minutes (to warm dropper). Dry quickly (to retain heat) and suction up ear oil from bottle. Place 2 drops in both ears every half hour or as often as needed for 2 to 7 days. Never place fluid into the ear if there is any chance of a ruptured eardrum.
#4 – Mullein Oil
Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is used for treating respiratory ailments and many other illnesses. (See Mullein Plant – Benefits and Uses for more info.)
To make an earache treatment, we infuse the flowers in olive oil. Apply the mullein oil the same way you apply the garlic oil.
To infuse the flowers in oil, gather enough blooms to partially fill a small jar. Cover with olive oil and let sit for a week or two. Strain and place in a tinted bottle.
I let my blossoms set in a shallow bowl or on a plate for an hour or so before putting them in oil. This allows buggies hiding in them a chance to escape. You can also add a clove of chopped garlic to your oil for extra germ fighting.
You can also buy mullein oil, such as the Earthley’s Earache Ease.
#5 – Essential Oil Ear Ache Treatment Rub
This recipe is from the book “Be Your Own Doctor” by Rachel Weaver. Remember, do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin – always use a carrier oil.
Do not use this as an earache remedy for small children, who may rub their ears and then rub the oil into their eyes.
Essential Oil Earache Rub
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Mix all ingredients and apply gently around the ears at the first sign of infection. Reduces infection and relieves inflammation.
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These essential oils are safe for topical use for nursing mothers.
#6 – Herbal Steam Inhalations
Herbal steam inhalations help reduce nasal swelling caused by cold, dry winter air. They also increase airflow to the eustachian tubes.
To prepare an herbal steam inhalation, simply heat a pot of water and pour it into a bowl or basin. Add a handful of fresh or dry herbs such as German chamomile, elderberry flowers and/or lemon balm. Lean over the basin and inhale the steam. To get the most out of the treatment, use a large towel to create a tent over your head and trap the steam.
#7 – Apple Cider Vinegar
As I researched home remedies, I’ve found that people use apple cider vinegar (ACV) to cure just about everything. Earaches/ear infections are no exception. Dee from San Diego, California writes:
“Apple cider vinegar also works great when getting an earache. My ENT told me to put some in the ear at the first sign of trouble. Leave it there for a minute, and then let the ACV run out the ear. Repeat one more time 12 hours later.”
#8 – Hydrogen Peroxide
My friend, Julie, told me her mom used hydrogen peroxide as a home remedy for earaches for all 12 of her children.
The easiest way to use hydrogen peroxide for earaches is to soak a cotton ball with H2O2. Then use the wet cotton ball to squeeze a few drops into the ear canal. Gently irrigate the area afterward with warm water to clear any debris.
#9 – Hot Herbal Tea
While you’re applying warmth from the outside, you can also apply warmth from the inside. Echinacea, German chamomile, and holy basil are herbs that promote healing and relaxation.
Echinacea boosts the immune system, and fights infections that affect the ear, nose and throat area.
#10 – Onions
Onions are a preferred earache remedy in the book Be Your Own Doctor. Some people simply cut an onion in half and place it over the affected ear.
Others gently heat a small portion of the onion until warm but not soft, and tuck the heated onion into the ear. Some people wrap the onion in a warm, moist cloth; others use it directly on the ear.
Another option is to squeeze out some onion juice, heat gently, and put a few drops into the ear. Recommended onion ear compress time is around 10-15 minutes, or until the onion cools. Rest quietly while treating, and gently clean out the ear with warm water after the onion treatment.
#11 – Homeopathic Earache Relief Ear Drops
Homeopathic earache relief drops with herbal extracts, such as Similasan, have been in use for decades. Similasan earache relief drops active ingredients include:
- Chamomilla 10X – for sensitivity to drafts, soothing
- Mercurius solubilis 15X – relieves fullness, sensitivity to cold
- Sulphur 12X – reduces itchiness, sensitivity to water
#12 – Natural Pain Relievers
Anti-inflammatory herbs such as willow bark may help bring relief. Willow bark contains salicylic acid for pain, and is also antimicrobial.
Preventing Earaches Before They Start
If chronic ear infections are a problem, look for environmental factors. Households with smokers have more ear issues, and infants who are breast fed have less issues than their formula fed counterparts.
Food Allergies and Ear Pain
Food allergies can contribute to chronic ear infections. If you deal with chronic ear infections or other chronic health problems, try adjusting your diet.
Common allergens include dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. Work with your health care provider to see if you can identify any problem foods. Keeping ears clean and dry can also help prevent ear issues.
Xylitol Helps Prevent Ear Infections
Finnish researchers gave daycare children five servings of two pieces of xylitol sweetened gum per day. These children had roughly half as many ear infections.
Another study using larger doses three times per day was not as effective. Please see “Ear Infections and Xylitol” for more information.
Try Lymph Drainage Massage for Chronic Ear Pain
For ongoing ear pain issues, try using the video above to improve lymph drainage for the ears.
Sources
American Academy of Pediatrics, “The Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media”
Study: Ear infections less likely in breastfed babies
The Role of Food Allergy in Otitis Media with Effusion
More Home Remedies
I hope you found this post helpful. Don’t forget to check out the Full List of Home Remedies , including:
- 12 Home Remedies for Coughs to Help Quiet and Soothe
- 7 Easy Sore Throat Remedies
- 9 Home Remedies for Congestion – Natural Decongestants That Work
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is a lifelong learner with a passion for natural remedies and holistic healing. She’s successfully improved her eyesight, cleared her psoriasis, and gotten off of prescription medication.
Last updated in 2023.
I was desperately seeking ways to help with a horrible earache. I was hurting for two days so bad it almost made this grown woman cry. I ran across an article that says to use honey. I used the honey, I put a tiny bit in a medicine cup and heated it for 15 seconds and applied it gently around in my ear . IT INSTANTLY STOPPED throbbing It has been over an hour and I am still pain free. I might have to set the honey on my nightstand in case it starts hurting during the night. Please don’t be afraid to try this remedy . I was in awe as to how quickly it worked. 🙂 You will be glad you did. Carry on!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Glad you’re feeling better.
If i were you, do not put any honey in your ears, as I had put honey in my ears thinking that the itchy ears would resolve but it did help but at the same time i had a bee larvae grow/s in my ear. It was the most horrific experience in my life. If you dont have much wax in your ears, then fruit flies will go inside there along with laying eggs they will bring other eggs into your ears because they fly and touch everything. The bee larvae could have come from the makanka honey. It caused me to have a hemi facial spam, funny awful headaches for 4 days. No body understands what i went through. I went through hell. Dont put honey in your ears… the honey will leave a bad smell afterwards. The ears need bitter not sweet things. Sweet honey will encourage life in your ears.
Great list!
Thanks!
Try a visit to your dentist. It could ba a tooth.
Um most people use just a warm wash clooth
On remedy number 4 manner is spelled wrong.
Got it! I had an extra “other” in that one, too.
I wouldn’t dilute the lavender oil. It’s not a “hot” oil. Young Living’s Purification blend applied on the mastoid bones behind the ears has been helpful for us, too.
I don’t recommend using any EOs “neat”, hot or not, despite the claims of various EO companies, as sensitivities may develop over time.
My girlfriend had a really bad ear ache and we use olive oil and it helped a lot. We just put the oil in a dropper warmed up the dropper and put 3 drops in her ear a few times a day and it made the pain subside.
Hope that helps.
The link suggesting antibiotics aren’t necessary is for sinus infection, but not ear infection as ear can become very serious and lead to hearing loss or eardrum rupture when serious enough. If it’s a simple earache, that’s one thing, but a vad enough infection is nothing to play with.
Yes. Sinus infections and ear infections are very commonly linked.
First paragraph on WebMD from first link in the post:
“Rest and care at home is often all that children age 2 or older need when they have an ear infection. Most ear infections get better without treatment. If your child is mildly ill and home treatment takes care of the earache, you may choose not to see a doctor.”
Top of post: “*Note: Never use eardrops or oils inside the ear if a child has ear tubes or there is a chance of eardrum perforation. Please see your healthcare practitioner if pain is extreme or persists for several days.”
That is true My old Papa use to do that when we had earache
That was 70 years ago
A very old remedy when there was no doctor on the Island
Although not available to everyone, human breastmilk has great healing properties, including relieving earaches. It can also sooth a burn or cut and relieve pinkeye due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Do you put it right in the ear? My boys are teenagers, so it’s been a while that I’ve been out of lactation mode.
Yes breastmilk directly into the ear works wonders
Breastmilk got rid of pink eye, ear infections and any other problems that would otherwise be given antibiotics for. I actually got breastmilk from my cousin for my 5 year old sons ear. Of course I didn’t tell him what I was putting in his ear.
Helpful hint for #1
Warm wash cloth
Run the cloth under steaming water ring out and put over ear. It feels amazing and the heat relieves the pain plus steam will flow into the ear relieving pain aswell . It might not fight infections but its great for when ear pain keeps you awake at night. And it’s so easy too!!
I did that with my son after crying with an ear ache, and it works! After ten minutes he was snoring away! Thank you so much!
So glad that it helped.
So helpful. I had a painHit me from out of nowhere in the middle of the night. and i have a little one that wakes throughout the night keeping me up as it is. Im low budget as is. The pain isnt completley gone. But i think its maybe enough to help me get some sleep.
I hope you feel better soon.
As a child, my mother warmed up sweet oil (found in the pharmacy) to body temp and placed a few drops in the infected ear along with a cotton ball and I went to bed. By morning I had felt much better. I love old school remedies like this! Happy memories I’m passing to my children.
So many of these simple remedies have been lost. I’m glad to see people taking an interest in them again.
My ear was killing me and sweet oil releaved it for a while, but when it started hurting again today I put it in my ear and it made it worst. Done did the garlic oil, heat, peroxide, I’ve even tried vapor rub on the outside and the pain is there deep down in my ear. It was making my whole left side of my face hurt. Mostly my teeth. Help me.
As noted in the post, if pain is severe or persistent, please see a trained health care provider. You may have a perforated ear drum, or an abscess tooth, a sinus infection, or some other problem. PLEASE GET PROFESSIONAL HELP.
Ok ideas wanted, I jumped into a big, deep, mud hole during a mud run today and my ears have been hurting worse than I’ve had my ears hurt before, but I’ve only had problems twice that I remember, And I’ve tried heat, EO, peroxide, and alcohol, I’m going to try the combo of peroxide, and alcohol any other ideas?
See a medical professional if it doesn’t let up. You may have damaged your eardrum or have something lodged in the ear canal.
I have tried almost everything.. Nothing is working at all.. My ear has been hurting for 3 days now… Till where its making me feel like I’m drained of all energy.. It really hurts like crazy.. I been going threw this pain for months now. It comes an goes all the time… It makes my ear jaw an head hurt like crazy.. I went to the docs they looked in my ear an said “its not red so it prob just fluid an that’s it” . So i don’t know it hurts like hell an shit.. So I’m just trying to get ride of the pain.. Like i said i been going threw this for months.. Can anyone help me.. Cause the doc’s in NY are stupid some times…
Try and get a second medical opinion if you can. Chronic pain could indicate a condition that could cause hearing loss. You can try the different remedies here. At the very least they shouldn’t hurt. When my husband gets water trapped in his ear, he shakes his head hard to the side that’s bugging him and can usually get it loose. Your ears are connected to your sinuses, too, so if you have allergy issues, that could affect your ears and cause pain. You might want to check out the post on seasonal allergies, too – https://commonsensehome.com/home-remedies-for-allergies/
Could have something to do with ur dental as well. I needed 2 root canals one on each side. Before i got my dental issue resolved I was getting earraches frequently. They would come and go accordingly! Really should look into it……
I was having earaches on and off for a month or so when one day during my daily qtip after shower a short hair (half inch) was stuck on the end of the qtip. I was having problems because a short hair was stuck in my ear canal! After it came out no more earaches. It sounds like using something on the list above might have helped me dissolve that hair that was giving me terrible earaches.
Do you have tonsil stones…that is the source of my ear issues.
You ears could be hurting due to a dental issue also. Do any of your teeth hurt? Are you grinding them, clench them, etc. Also TMJ (jaw joint) problems can cause bad ear aches. I always have ear aches caused by my TMJ and allergies. Go see an ENT Dr., they specialize in those issues. Hope you feel better.
My doctor gave me a prescription nasal spray and told me to take Sudafed for the same problem. It dry up and relieves the pressure in my ears.
Try a chiropractor….when jaw pain is involved, something is usually out of alignment.
Please see a Nuerologist! You maybe suffering from something called Trigeminal Nerve pain. It can start in your ear and then go down your jaw or up into your head and in one eye. I urge you to seek a Nuerologist. Just check it out and this may help with horrible pain that comes and goes and no doctor can find anything wrong.
My mother suffered for about a year from terrible shooting pains in her right eye. It was Trigeminal Neuralgia. The nerves on the side of her face were twisted around causing her pain. She had surgery and thank God, no more pain. Best wishes, Mary. I will add your name on my prayer list.
Those are also symptoms of TMJ. If your jaw isn’t properly aligned, it can cause an earache. I was certain I had an infection. Turns out my jaw was severely out of alignment.
How do you get it realigned?
Get to the ears nose and throat dr asap. This sounds like what my broth in law faced come to find out he had throat cancer.
Mary, see your primary care doc to find out if you have TMJ and referred pain to your ear. Then check with dentists for a physical therapist who treats TMJ. We have found one and it makes a huge difference!
I put 3-4 drops of olive oil in my ear. Now I didn’t have a warm pad to place on my ear but I took a small face cloth and placed it between two plastic microwave dishes and it warmed up in seconds.
This was to me the simplest approach and it worked. To keep the face cloth in place, I tied a wool scarf over my head and tied it under my chin tight to keep warm face cloth in place next to my ear..
I just wanted to share that 5htp (300 to 600 mg) along with fresh ginger tea significantly reduces my ear pain. I don’t feel perfect but I feel good enough that I am not popping any medicine.
My two year old woke with an earache along with running nose and cough for a few days now. A friend suggested full strength lavender oil in the cheeks (in the mouth) and then I also put ACV in the ear canal (let it sit for a minute while she laid on her side then let it run out) and then a few minutes later put Mulen oil in. I had her rest on her side with a heated rice pack on her ear for a few minutes. She said that it didn’t hurt anymore! Thank you!
There have been several documented cases of seizures in children (and a few in adults) who have taken essential oils inappropriately. Inside of the mouth is very dangerous, as the tissue there absorbs into the bloodstream. Full strength laveder oil can be deadly. You are very fortunate there was no lasting harm, but I would NOT do it again.
The bottom line is: essential oils can be neurotoxic to children. I NEVER recommend internal use of essential oils in kids.
Thank you, Carol.
My son woke up with terrible earache. reading this article has helped. peroxide worked like a bomb… 2 drops.. He’s asleep again… Thank you
So glad that it helped and he was able to get some rest.
#8 warmed the vinegar and dipped a cotton ball in , held the the cotton ball close to ear canal, then put cotton ball in ear, felt good:)
My family doctor gave me this advice many years ago and have used it since: equal amounts of peroxide and rubbing alcohol. The peroxide “eats out” the wax and debris and the alcohol “dries out” the ears so as to not have moisture in the ear, especially when it’s cold. Also, a little vinegar can also be added as well.
it may help to slightly warm the peroxide and alcohol mixture so it’s not so “cold” on an aching ear drum. The warmth feels good.
i have tried peroxide and it works for me i ear aches all the time and that is what i use that and achocol to that also works for me just put a few drops of alchocol in your ear and put a cotton ball in your ear and lay down and rest quietly on your bed or couch.
Omg these help me thank you so much
Glad that you’re feeling better.
I have a terrible ear ache…..it’s because we returned from a picnic back home so all way long I was hearing songs on my phone through a headset and now my both ear hurt terribly….. What should I do for a quick heal
Don’t wear your headphones so long or turn the music so loud. There is no quick fix, you just need to give your poor ears time to recover. You might try cool compresses to ease the inflammation, but time is the best option.
It is?
stop listening to rap music.
Or stop listening to rock.
Peroxide and vinegar together create periacetic acid which is corrosive and can result in chemical burns.
I burnt my ear like that until it bled…not such a good idea…
When I came down with an ear infection, my worthless HMO clinic told me it would take a month to get an appointment. I first poured hydrogen peroxide into my ear. I allowed it to sit in my ear until it stopped bubbling, then drained my ear. I then mixed one part rubbing alcohol, one part vinegar not only to kill any germs, but to dry my ear from any moisture. I allowed it to sit for a minute, then drained. Earache GONE!!
#5 a winner! I can’t tell you how grateful I am. Have cold, laryngitis, suffering earache for seemingly forever. Have Tea tree oil for cuts and Olive oil on hand – mixed 10 drops tea tree to 4Tbsp olive oil and pain subsided in about 25 minutes – I am so happy!
Thank you so much.
Julie F
Yeah! So glad that it helped!
Thank you that helped alot
Do you put this around the outside of the ear or inside the ear?
The olive oil/essential oil mix should be rubbed around the outside of the ear.
Thanks. One more thing…how often do I apply?
I haven’t tried it, as we have thankfully been earache free, but I’d say every few hours, as needed.
This may sound silly but with the olive oil+infused oil or tea tree oil mixtures, do you put the drops in your ear or rub the oil on/around the out side of the ear?
Drops into the ear, as long as the ear drum is not perforated.
the only thing I have is hydrogen proxide my ear hurts so bad
Do you have anything you can use as a hot pack?
My dad was a smoker. He always blew cigarette smoke in our ears. The warmth from the smoke always made us feel better.
My older daughter has a tendency toward ear aches. At home, I use hydrogen peroxide, though my sister-in-law who is an ENT nurse and has been for 25+ years recommends against it. Her recommendation is a few drops of alcohol to kill whatever bacteria are in the ear followed by vinegar to safely rehydrate the ear without leaving water that could provide a place for bacteria to grow and cause greater problems. I have heard that H202 was not recommended because of the heat it generates as it is an exothermic reaction to go from H202 to H20 + O2. The actual reason for my SIL’s reticence about H2O2 is the water left behind. I do make sure the ear is drained thoroughly when using it and dry with cotton. It also helps when sore throats are associated with ear aches. The H2O2 alleviates the pressure and fluid drainage proceeds. Both the ear ache and sore throat are gone within 30 minutes.
Nonetheless, while we were out one day and my daughter had an ear ache that was really bothering her, we were near a friend’s who smoked. I went up and asked him to please blow smoke in her ear to alleviate the pain until we could get home and get it treated. He complied. He’s never known smoking to be good for anything – and in general it is not, but he thought that was an interesting trick. It worked, too.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Tammy.
please, I need your help. I have this ear pain that even blocks my hearing at times. I went to laboratory I was asked to take ofloxacin. I did pack upon pack no improvement. what else can I use?
I can’t legally (or safely) provide information on severe conditions. For serious conditions you should consult a trained healthcare professional.
Peel a clove of garlic and cut a slit in the end and place it just inside the ear and let it sit for hours, it will draw out every bit of infection. I had ear itchiness, followed by vertigo, and even vision changes. I trie the garlic thing because the doctor was no help what-so-ever.
My remedy works best if you do it before going to bed. Just boil about 4-5 cups of water in a pot and add about 1/4 cup of table salt (and if you want you can add 1 Chamomile tea bag). Put a large towel over your head and lean over the pot of boiling water over the stove and breathe the steam in through your nose and out through the mouth. Do the same with breathing in through the mouth and out the nose. Remember to hold the towel over your head with both hands. Also, tilt your head to the left (towel still over your head and you are still leaning over the boiling water) and open your mouth as wide as you can and close, do this for about 10 times on each sides. Now do the nose and then the mouth breathing again for a few minutes. By the time you are done you will be tired and steamed (LOL), wrap the towel over your head and go to bed with it. You should feel better by the next day. Do this a few times especially if you are at home during the day. It will work for sinus infection, ear infection and sore throat too.
The smoke in the ear does work … I have always though it was the nicotine as well as the warmth that eased the pain.
Its more the fact that it dries out exess moisture n then the warmth soothes it… Plus i was told.it leaves a light film wich helps desensitise the ear for a short period…
I usually burn a paper with a lighter I put it in the shape of a cone and I put the end in the ear canal and let it burn until she feels warm it works in the instant.
Thank you Mr.Tammy.Your segues toons I tried& feel better from stincking pain inside the ear passage.
I used to get ear aches all the time, till I was in my late 20’s. While in Miami back in the late 80’s, I got an ear ache, probably from to much swimming. As a kid, my momma had always used peroxide, so I went to a pharmacy to get some. A local pharmacist down there told me to never use peroxide in the ear. It keep your ear moist and wet, which is not good. He also suggested that I use alcohol to dry my ear out, it would also help with the infection. Just put some on a cotton ball, squeeze into ear, let set for a minute or two, then turn head and drain. You would think that it would burn, but it did not. I was skeptical to say the least, but it hurt so bad, I went back to the room and did it several times that day. You know what, it worked! Now, I do this a couple times a week to keep my ears dry. I haven’t had an earache since…..and I’m 57 years old now.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Greetings … SO glad this worked for you but someone told my husband to do this a couple of years ago and when he tried it, it burned terribly and after going to a ear, nose and throat specialist, he was told that it had burned a HOLE in his ear and he ended up having to have an operation at UVA hospital that cost us over $4500 out-of-pocket. He almost LOST his hearing! This is just a word of warning … Be VERY careful of what well-meaning people tell you to “try.”
Ouch. Thanks for the warning, Carolyn. I didn’t think it would have the ability to actually burn the ear.
If you look at the ingredients on a bottle of Swimmers Ear, it says alcohol as an ingredient! I guess the peroxide would bubble the infection out but then I’d use alcohol. A heating pad sometimes helps, too! If it is too hot, put a small towel or wash cloth between the heating pad and your ear.
My grandparents did this, with success, whenever my mom or aunt had an earache, too. Growing up I had maybe two earaches total, but it worked for me and later for my kids and nephew.
It is harder to find a smoker these days but my mother, who grew up on a homestead about 90 years ago, said that smoke in the ear was the earache cure for them.
Really? To me, that sounds a little counter productive.
My dad used pipe smoke , it relieved the pain.
That’s the firs time I’ve heard of anyone doing this. In general those raised in houses or around people who smoke often have a tendency to get more ear infections.
That’s not true
My dad smoked in the house when I was growing up and none of us kids ever have earache
Actually, I could be possible. I had horrible earaches from a very young age. At 3 years old, I actually had to have my ear “lanced”. All I remember was the agonizing pain and all of the blood. My dad was a heavy smoker from the age of 9 until in his mid 40’s. He passed away 4 years ago from smoke related illness. The earaches I got would happen even if I was exposed to normal wind. My earaches persisted until I got a tonsillectomy at the age of 6. My daughters also had issues with their tonsils when my dad would visit and smoke, or when we visited him.
Both my parents smoked and my sister and I never had one ear infection as a kid. I’m looking at this page because for the first time in my sisters 27 years of life woke up crying with ear pain.
So did my dad. WIsh he was here tonight. I am miserable… Dr. appt in 7 hours.
Strangely enough, my dad also was a smoker and a Chiropractor. When we were away from home, he blew smoke into my sister’s ear when she said her ear keeps hurting. I don’t understand how it works but he sure did, just like the other commenters have said!