Home Remedies for Ear Discharge

Note: If the condition is accompanied by severe pain, fever and does not improve within 5 days, consult your doctor.
Ear discharge, medically known as otorrhea, refers to any fluid that comes from an affected ear. It is quite common and can affect people of all ages, including infants and small children.
Drainage from an ear can be a sign of several conditions, depending on the type of fluid. Usually, the ears discharge earwax that your body produces naturally.
Unusual discharge can be due to a ruptured eardrum, an injury, trauma to the ear canal or an infection of the middle ear. Other causes include eczema and other skin irritations in the ear canal as well as swimmer’s ear.
Depending on the underlying cause, you may also experience pain, a heavy feeling inside the ear and a general discomfort.
Treatment for ear discharge depends on its cause. For mild and acute ear discharge, many simple home remedies can help treat the problem and associated discomfort.
However, always consult your doctor if the drainage does not resolve within a few days. Also, immediately see a doctor if the drainage has a foul smell.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for ear discharge.

Contents

1. Allow Gravity to Do its Work

When it comes to treating ear discharge, it is important to remove all the fluid buildup in the affected ear. The best way to do this is to use gravity.

• Tilt the side of your head with the affected ear parallel to the ground. Put a clean finger in your ear and try to create a vacuum to help dislodge the fluid. Use a cotton bud or towel to clean up the discharge.
• You can also simply lie down on your side with a towel under your ear.

2. Warm Compress

A warm compress is a very good natural treatment for ear discharge. The heat promotes the flow of fluid and helps ease any associated pain.

• Dip a clean washcloth in hot water and wring out the excess. Place the moist washcloth over the ear for 2 to 5 minutes, then tilt your head to promote fluid drainage. Take a break and reapply as needed.
• You can also try laying your head on a heating pad wrapped in a towel for a few minutes at regular intervals.

3. Steam Inhalation

Another good way to treat ear discharge is steam inhalation. Steam will help open the Eustachian tube to encourage the release of fluid trapped in the ear. This in turn will promote smooth drainage.

1. Put boiling water in a large bowl and add a few drops of eucalyptus or any essential oil of your choice.
2. Place a towel over your head and inhale the steam slowly for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Tilt your head to one side so that the fluid can flow out.
4. Repeat as needed.

4. White Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol

White vinegar has an antibacterial effect to treat an infection in the middle ear. Plus, rubbing alcohol works as a drying agent to promote evaporation of fluid buildup inside the ear.

1. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol and fill an ear dropper with this solution.
2. Lie down with the affected ear facing upward.
3. Put 2 to 4 drops into the ear and wait 10 minutes.
4. Tilt the ear to the other side to allow drainage.
5. Repeat twice daily to break down infection and wax.

5. Garlic

To treat middle ear infection that causes fluid discharge, try garlic. It has natural antibiotic properties that can fight off the infection really well.

1. Crush 2 to 3 garlic cloves to extract the fresh juice.
2. Use a dropper to put 3 or 4 drops into the ear.
3. Wait 5 minutes, then blow dry the ear (hold the dryer about 12 inches away from the head).
4. Repeat twice daily for a few days.

As the garlic juice starts healing the infection, you will notice less fluid discharge.

6. Neem Oil

The oil of neem, also known as Indian lilac or margosa, is also effective in treating infection and inflammation of the middle ear. In addition, it helps reduce ear pain.

1. Put 2 or 3 drops of neem oil into the affected ear using a dropper.
2. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, then tilt your head to remove the fluid.
3. Repeat 2 or 3 times a day to get quick results.

7. Basil

Basil is another good remedy to get relief from an ear infection as well as discharge. It has antibiotic properties that help keep the infection at bay and provide relief from pain.

1. Wash 4 or 5 basil leaves thoroughly and crush them to extract the juice.
2. Heat the juice slightly to make it lukewarm.
3. Use a dropper to put 2 or 3 drops into the affected ear.
4. Repeat twice daily for a few days.

8. Onion

If pus is draining from the ear, an onion is an effective remedy according to Ayurveda. It is effective in treating infection of the middle ear.

1. Extract the juice of 1 small onion.
2. Heat the juice slightly to make it lukewarm.
3. Put 2 or 3 drops into the ear.
4. Wait 5 minutes, then tilt your head to drain out the fluid.
5. Use this remedy 2 or 3 times a day.

9. Breast Milk

Breast milk is another effective Ayurvedic remedy for treating any kind of ear infection and inflammation. Infection of the middle ear is one of the main causes of fluid or pus discharge from the ears.
In addition, it is a natural antibiotic agent, which helps lessen swelling and pain.

1. Use a dropper to put 2 or 3 drops of breast milk in the infected ear.
2. Repeat a few times a day to treat the infection.

10. Avoid Phlegm-Producing Foods

When suffering from ear discharge, it is important to avoid phlegm-producing foods as phlegm or mucus may make the problem worse.

• Avoid dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese.
• Avoid animal products like poultry, eggs and meat.
• Avoid foods with gluten, such as wheat products, lentils, rye and barley.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
• Avoid sugary foods and beverages.
• Avoid mucus-producing fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, corn, cabbage and potatoes.

In addition to eliminating foods that can produce excessive phlegm, eat more foods that help relieve phlegm like garlic, celery, onions, parsley, winter squash,  leafy greens, berries, broccoli, and bell peppers.
Additional Tips

• Do not use cotton swabs at any time to remove earwax.
• Blow your nose very gently to avoid putting pressure on the eardrum.
• Do not touch your ears too often.
• Do not use any pointed objects inside the ears.
• Avoid smoking as well as secondhand smoke.
• Expose the affected ear to direct sunlight for about 10 minutes daily to promote healing.
• Take steps to prevent getting the common cold.
• Avoid exposure to cold and wind.
• While bottle-feeding, hold your baby in an upright position to avoid milk dripping in the ear. Do not prop a bottle in your baby’s mouth while he or she is lying down.
• When taking a shower or bath, be sure not to let water get in your ear.
• Wear earplugs when swimming, and shake your head after swimming to remove any leftover water.

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