8 Natural Remedies For Ear Drainage

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that help kill the infection-causing microbes in the ear .

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon warm water
• A cotton ball

What You Have To Do

1. Mix a teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar and warm water.
2. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and insert it into the affected ear, like a plug.
3. Lie down on your side and let the cotton ball soak up the discharge for a few minutes. Dry your ears with a hair dryer if needed.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can do this twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Repeat for a few days if required.

2. Gravity

 

Gravitational forces pull out the fluid discharge from the ear when your head is tilted in the downward direction. If you have fluid discharge from the ear while sleeping, tilting the ear upwards allows gravity to drain the fluid build-up.

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoonfuls of warm water
• A dropper

What You Have To Do

1. Use the dropper to squirt a few drops of water into the ear canal.
2. Stand near a sink and tilt your head to let the water run out.
3. You can also sleep with the infected ear facing the ceiling to experience relief from ear discharge and earache.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can use the water flush 3 to 4 times a day. Sleep as often as needed during the day and at night to get relief from the pain.

3. Neem Oil

 

Neem oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. These properties help reduce ear ache and destroy the pathogens that cause infection in the ears.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon neem oil
• A cotton ball
• A dropper

What You Have To Do

1. Pour a few drops of neem oil in the infected ear.
2. Cover your ear with a cotton ball and lie down for a few minutes before removing it.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can do this two times a day for a few days.

4. Warm Compress

 

The warm cloth provides moisture that helps to unclog the ears and loosen the congestion. Using this remedy a few times a day helps de-clog the ears.

You Will Need

• 1 small bowl of warm water
• A washcloth

What You Have To Do

Soak the washcloth in warm water, squeeze out the excess water, and hold it on your affected ear.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can do this as often as needed to relieve the discomfort.

5. Garlic

 

In a study, ear drops containing garlic and other herbal extracts were found to be as effective as OTC ear drops. Another study shows that garlic improves the antibiotic sensitivity of certain pathogens to antibiotics. It contains a compound called allicin that works to protect the body against infections. Using this remedy helps to battle the microbes in the ear and reduces infection.

You Will Need

• 2 cloves of fresh, raw garlic
• 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil
• A dropper
• A cotton ball

What You Have To Do

1. Heat a few cloves of garlic in coconut oil for a few minutes.
2. Let this mixture cool.
3. Pour a few drops of this mixture into the affected ear with a dropper.
4. Lie down for a few minutes and let the oil get absorbed.
5. You can also consume raw garlic to reduce earache and infection.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can add a small amount of raw garlic to your dishes until the infection subsides. If you are using garlic oil as a remedy, you can apply it two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

6. Holy Basil

 

Basil has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat mild infections and pain. A 2017 study shows the effectiveness of basil leaves in treating common health conditions. Another study demonstrates the efficacy of instilling basil leaf juice into the ears as a household remedy for earaches (9).

You Will Need

• 10-15 leaves of fresh holy basil or Tulsi
• A cotton ball
• A strainer

What You Have To Do

1. Crush a few basil leaves and strain them to get the juice.
2. Pour a few drops of this juice into the affected ear and leave it in for a few minutes.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can use basil leaf juice every day to flush out any discharge from your ears or reduce earache.

7. Steam Inhalation

 

This is a very commonly used method to treat ear drainage and infections. The steam helps unclog the congestion in the ears by loosening the mucus and opening sinus passages.

You Will Need

• A pot
• A bowl of water
• 3-4 fresh herbal flowers or Vicks Vaporub
• A towel

What You Need To Do

1. Boil the water in the pot.
2. Add the herbs or Vicks to the boiling water.
3. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam from this boiling water.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can do steam inhalation for 10 minutes at a stretch, about 3 to 4 times a day.

8. Onion

 

Onions have been used very commonly to cure and relieve ear drainage in toddlers and children. This remedy is not backed by a lot of scientific evidence yet, but it has helped parents since the 19th century .

You Will Need

1 raw onion

What You Need To Do

1. Cut the onion into 2-3 pieces and heat it in the microwave for about 1 minute.
2. Crush the onion and extract the juice from it.
3. Pour this juice in the affected ear and let it stay for a few minutes.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can do this two times a day and repeat for as many days as required.
These remedies will help relieve ear drainage and the associated pain and discomfort. You can also take certain measures to prevent discharge from your ears and ear infection.

How Can I Prevent Ear Discharge?

• Avoid getting too close to somebody who is already infected to prevent catching the infection.
• Do not insert sharp or any foreign objects into the ear.
• Use earplugs while swimming to prevent large amounts of water from entering the ears.
• If your ears do get wet, dry them well.
• In the case of toddlers, breastfeeding them helps transfer antibodies from the mother to the child, thus increasing their immunity against infections.

In most cases, if you see something out of the ordinary coming out of your ears, try any of the above home remedies and tips to lessen the discharge. But if home remedies do not work or the ear drainage becomes infected, you should visit a medical professional.

How Do I Test For Ear Drainage?

The medical professional usually diagnoses the infection using an otoscope, a lighted microscope. They may also carry out any of the following tests to be sure of the exact problem:

• Tympanometry – This method tests the movement of the eardrum and the health of the middle ear.
• Acoustic Reflectometry – Although indirect, studies show that this technique is better in finding middle ear effusions as compared to the other tests.
• Tympanocentesis – This technique tests to drain the fluid from the middle ear and figure out the infectious agents in the liquid.

In most cases, the ear drainage heals itself and improves within the first few days without treatment. However, if it doesn’t subside, you may have to avail medical intervention.

What Are The Treatment Options for Ear Drainage?

If the ear drainage does not subside, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics or medicated ear drops to treat the infection and drain the fluid. They may also suggest using a warm compress or painkillers to reduce the pain.
Here’s when you should consult a doctor.

When Should I See A Doctor?

Visit the doctor if you experience any of the following conditions:

• Unbearable pain in the ear
• Swelling or inflammation in the ear
• Fever
• Loss of hearing or ringing in the ears
• Your ear doesn’t stop draining even after a few days or weeks of trying natural remedies.
• Symptoms of a ruptured eardrum continue for 2 months or longer

While a majority of the cases of ear drainage are not serious, it is important to see your doctor to ensure proper and prompt treatment. Try the above home remedies and tips to deal with ear drainage.
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