11 Best Home Remedies for Ear Infection in Adults

Not just babies, but adults also suffer from ear infection. The treatment of ear infection in adults can include ear drops,  antibiotics, ointments and massage under the earlobes. They are helpful in treating symptoms like earaches, inflammation, headache, sinus pain and nausea. They are irritating and painful which may cause partial hearing disability. Fortunately there are home remedies for ear infection in adults that actually works.

The infection can appear on middle ear, inner canal, or outer side of cartilage. Many people often suffer from pain due to infected ear piercing.
Adult ear infection is less common as compare to kids. Most of the time the discomfort is caused when fluids are trapped behind your eardrum. The affected area is often called as middle ear infection. The buildup of fluids causes pressure on your drums. Such rise in pressure can cause hearing disability and acute pain.

Generally middle ear infection in adults is triggered by blockage of fluid due to flu and allergies. Seasonal changes can increase the risk of you getting common cold. The best way to prevent ear infection is to stay safe during winters. Adults who travel a lot can suffer from jet lag which can cause blockage of fluids in your middle ear. So check out the ways to recover from jet lag to avoid ear problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Ear Infection in Adults

Your ear can be infected from fungus (yeast), bacteria or due to blockage of fluids in middle ear. In any of these cases you may notice any of these primary and early signs of ear infection.
Inner Ear Infection

• Inflammation
• Mild constant pain
• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Episode of migraine
• Pain in jaw and lower neck
• Nausea and vomiting

Middle Ear Infection

• Swimmer’s ear – redness of outer ear skin including the cartilage
• Feeling of pressure behind eardrum
• Hearing ringing bell
• Inflammation of ear canal
• Ear drainage
• Problem in hearing
• Chronic pain

Outer Ear Infection

• Itchy rash
• Irritating pain
• Sharp pain with mild fever
• Inflammation of earlobes
• Tender and sore cartilage
• Pus filled blister on outer ear area

Home Remedies for Adult Ear Infection

1. Warm Compress

An ear infection can cause you inflammation of jawline and earlobes. Heat therapy is an effective way to treat inner ear infection. The warmness will increase the circulation of blood that help fight infection. Warm compress will regulate fluid blockage in your middle ear. It help you feel better and may reduce pain.
You can add oregano oil in the warm water to inhibit bacteria from growing inside your ear canal. Oregano oil will also soothe the irritation and help you relax.
How to use:

• Take one cup of warm water and add few drops of oregano oil.
• Soak a piece of cotton clothe in this solution.
• Wring out excessive water and place in under your ear.
• Repeat the heat remedy several times in a day.

2. Antibiotics 

Adults often suffer from bacterial inner ear infection which require ingestion of antibiotics. Chronic ear infection which persist beyond 3 days require the doses of antibiotics. The natural way to treat adult ear infection is by increasing the intake of antibiotic foods.
According to University of Maryland Medical Center, Chronic Otitis Media (COM) need to get antibiotics. It is the damages which been done in your middle ear from long time infection. Adult some times behave like baby and leave an infection untreated. In such case Chronic Otitis Media affects them. This condition is painful and require efficient diagnosis and treatment.
Some antibiotic Foods to cure ear infection:

• Manuka honey
• Cabbage
• Garlic
• Use onion in your food
• Sip on Thyme herbal tea
• Eat grapefruits
• Drink lemon juices

3. Probiotics

Probiotics are another effective remedy for treating yeast ear infection. Adults who don’t remove ear wax suffer from yeast outbreak in the inner ear canal. Probiotics can balance the ratio of harmful microbe with healthy microbes. Having an ear infection requires you to make your white blood cells more strong.
People with strong immune can quickly cure an ear infection. Probiotic stimulate your digestive glands and aid in digestion. It help treat leaky gut and improve the absorption of nutrients and vitamins by your intestine.
How to use:

• Eating a bowl of yogurt with live cultures can help ease the discomforts.
• You can also include coconut kefir in your salad.
• Mix handful of cherries in a bowl of plain and unsweetened yogurt.
• Eat such 2-3 bowl in a day to get rid of ear infection naturally.

4. Salt Compress

The salt we eat everyday is another effective home remedy for ear infection in adults. When you start to feel the early signs of ear infection then use salt. It can reduce the inflammation of your ear canal and stimulate the fluids behind the eardrum.
The use of salt for infection has long history due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Salt can be an effective topical ointment for outer ear infection. This remedy may causes tingling sensation but help inhibit the bacteria.

How to use:

• Take one saucepan and pour half cup of salt.
• Fry the salt on medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Pour this hot salt in a cotton clothe and put it under your earlobes.
• This compress will help cure middle ear infection in adults.
• Use this remedy several times in day to increase the healing speed.

5. Basil

Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, basil is an effective home remedy for ear infection. Basil paste can help you get rid of ear infection symptoms by killing the bacteria. The soothing abilities of basil oil is potentially used to reduce earaches.
A 2005 study published by The Journal of Infectious Disease, found that basil oil can help you cure acute otitis media. It help move blockage of fluids in your ear canal.
How to use:

• Wash handful of basil leaves with warm water.
• Crush them to make thick paste.
• Apply a thick layer of basil paste on the area below eardrum.
• Cover the cartilage and earlobes with this paste.
• Let it get dry naturally for 1 hour.
• Then rise with lukewarm water.
• Use this remedy 2 times in a day.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide

The accumulation of wax inside you ear canal can be the reason behind the fluid build-up. Hydrogen peroxide is an effective home remedy for ear infection. Adults can cure ear infection by breaking down the wax blocks with the help of hydrogen peroxide.
The antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide can help kill yeast and bacteria. Topical use of diluted peroxide can help toenail fungus from spreading.
How to use:

• You will need 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
• Mix equal amount of peroxide and water in cup.
• Lie down on your side keeping the infected ear at the top.
• Use a dropper to put 2-3 drops inside your ear.
• Let it work on breaking the wax.
• You may feel tingling sensation due to formation of bubbles.
• After 30 seconds tilt your head to remove excessive hydrogen peroxide solution.
• Alternatively you can use cotton ball to soak the peroxide solution.
• Squeeze it a little to pour the drops.
• Use this ear infection home remedy two times in a day.

7. Garlic to Treat Ear infection in Adults

You may not like the smell of garlic. The substance which gives the garlic its pungent smell is called allicin. The Journal of Microbes and Infection published an article in 1999. The report found that allicin found in garlic is potential antibacterial. It even help kill resistant bacteria. Topical ointments of garlic can also help abscess tooth.
Allicin can be used for treating middle ear infection in adult caused by fungal colonies. A 2014 study published by A Peer-Reviewed, Open Access Journal found that garlic can be helpful in eliminating fungus and yeast infection. It help erode their pseudo wall and make their survival hard.
How to use:

• Crush handful of garlic cloves to make a paste.
• Apply this paste beneath your earlobes and outer side of ear-cartilage.
• Keep it on for 30 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.
• Alternatively, you can use garlic oil to relieve the pain.
• Mix 5 drops of garlic oil in one teaspoon of olive oil.
• Pour 2-3 drops of this solution in your ear canal.
• Use this remedy regularly to fight infection.

8. Onions

Due to antibiotic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, onion is another excellent ear infection home remedy for adults. Let me remind you not to use any of this remedy on your toddler or kids. Moving on, Onion is a rich source of sulfur. Researches on the healing property of onion has proven that one can use it to kill fungus and bacteria.
People who eat onions regularly can lower high blood pressure and reduce levels of bad cholesterol. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can provide relief from sore ear and reduce inflammation of area below the eardrum.
How to use:

• Put one peeled onion in one cup of boiling water.
• Let it steep for 10 minutes.
• Crush this boiled onion to make thick paste.
• Apply a layer of onion paste on outer side of the affected ear.
• Keep it on for several minutes then rinse it off.
• Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of onion juice in one cup of water.
• Pour 2-3 drops of this solution inside the infected ear canal while keeping your head tilted.
• Use this remedy 2-3 times in one day to ease the discomfort and alleviate pain.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most shouted remedy for any wounds. It is derived from the fermented apple which is yellow in color. When applied topically, apple cider vinegar can reduce inflammation and ease the pain. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, apple cider vinegar is counted among best home remedies for ear infection in adults.
It can control the outbreak of yeast infection and prevent them from binding themselves to human skin cells.
How to use apple cider vinegar for ear infection:

• Mix equal amount of water and apple cider vinegar.
• Diluting it is important to avoid irritation.
• Soak a cotton ball in this solution and use as an ear plug.
• Keep it on for 1 hour then repeat several times in day.
• Alternatively, mix apple cider vinegar in warm water.
• Soak a clean clothe in this solution and wring out excessive water.
• Apply this compress on inflamed area.
• Use this remedy for several days.

10. Tea Tree Oil

This native plants of Australia was discovered in late 18th century. The leaf and extracts of tea tree was highly used as alternative medicines during old times. The healing properties of tea tree oil can be used for treating outer ear infections in adults.
You should not use it internally as tea tree oil is very powerful antibiotic. It may burn your skin and can worsen the condition. When applied in diluted form, tea tree oil can really help you with open wounds. This remedy is only for adults.
How to use:

• Mix equal parts of tea tree oil and olive extracts.
• Soak a cotton swab in this solution and gently apply it on affected area.
• Keep it on for several minutes then rinse off with water.
• Use this ear infection home remedy twice in a day.

11. Mullein

Mullein is used for medicinal purposes from ancient times. The use of mullein for inhibiting yeast and bacteria became more popular after the late 19th century. The leaf, flower and steam of this herbal plant is used to make medicines for inflammatory and infectious diseases.
Studies have shown that herbal ear drops made from mullein was equally efficient in treating infection. If you are worried about your pets then use mullein oil for treating ear infection in adult dog. According to some holistic pet sources, one can use this herbal oil to clear fleas from dogs ear too.
How to cure adult ear infection with mullein:

• Pour one cup of water in a saucepan.
• Throw handful of dried mullein leaves. (You can get them from natural food stores or herbal stores).
• Bring it to boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
• Strain and collect leaves.
• Use a mortar and pestle to make a paste of these leaves.
• Apply a thin layer on outer side of inflamed ear.
• After leaving it for 30 minutes rinse with lukewarm water.
• Alternatively, you can pour few diluted drops of mullein oil in affected area.
• Use this ear infection home remedy for an adult only.

What Causes An Ear Infection

For adults, ear infection is caused due to formation of bacterial and viral colonies in our inner ear. They make the middle ear inflamed and causes you sharp pain. Adults can also experience drainage from ear canal. However, the liquid can be pus or produced by human glands.
Adults traveling from aeroplane can suffer from blockage of fluids due to the side-effects of jet lag. People who use match sticks to remove wax, often inflict cuts and open wounds inside the ear canal. the bacteria in your wax will infect such open wounds. It can lead to severe earaches and inflammation can spread in your jaw.
Untreated minor ear wounds can lead to chronic disease such as otitis media. You may suffer from fiver and headache. You may not be able to use home remedies for otitis media. These remedies may help with some symptoms but for proper treatment you must consult an ear specialist.

Are Ear Infections Contagious?

Most of the ear infections in adult is caused by bacteria and fluid blockage in middle ear. However, people suffering from ear yeast infection should take precautions. Yeast is a contagious microorganism that feeds on human body. They replicate fast and can catch a non-infected person.
So only ear yeast infection is contagious. Adults must take precaution while cleaning the drainage. Always use new cotton balls to remove the drainage and throw them away after using them.

How To Prevent Ear Infection From Recurring

It is not easy to leave old habits, however changing the way you eat and some lifestyle habits can help you from bacteria and yeast outbreak. Here are some of tips to prevent ear infection in adults.

• Protect yourself during winter to avoid upper respiratory diseases.
• Include garlic in the preparation of your meal.
• Rotate your head after landing from aeroplane to avoid pressure buildups.
• Avoid smoking cigarette as much as you can.
• Use humidifiers to balance the humidity of your room and office.
• After shower remove water from your ear.
• Avoid going out during winters without a scarf.
• Stay hydrate by drinking 2-3 liters of water everyday.

If you are an adult then above list of home remedies for ear infection will help you with symptoms such as earaches, swelling, and jawline pain. They are potent natural antibiotic to eliminate bacteria and ease the discomforts. Make sure not to use them on babies and kids under fifteen years old. Start eating healthy and fermented foods to improve your digestion and circulation.

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