Earache / infection / blockage
Common problems with the ears
Ear wax
Symptoms
Causes (internal)
Causes (external)
Home remedies for ear problems
Common problems with the ears
Common problems with the ears can include otalgia (pain), hearing loss, deafness, blocked ears and itchy ears.
Earache can occur suddenly and cause intense pain. Ear infections can affect people of all ages but are more common in children. Pain in the ear (otalgia) can be caused by disease or infection in the external, middle or inner ear, as well as causes outside the ear. Multiple factors are sometimes involved, making it difficult to identify the underlying cause of a problem with the ears. Sinus, throat and even gum infections can affect the ears.
Several natural remedies for ear pain and other ear ailments have been used for centuries. They offer gentle yet effective treatments, especially for those who prefer to avoid medications or antibiotics.
It's crucial to remember that before trying any of these remedies, you should consider what may be causing the earache, so you can treat the root problem more effectively and avoid exacerbating the condition.
Ear wax
Ear wax (cerumen) is a brown or yellow waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and many other mammals. It protects the skin in the ear canal, and acts as a lubricant, cleaner, insecticide, fungicide and anti-bacterial. If an excess builds up or dries out, it can press against the eardrum or block the external ear canal and impair hearing.
Ear wax is made from shed skin and the secretions of oil and sweat glands. Asians and native North Americans tend to have a dry type of wax which looks grey and flaky. Caucasians and Africans are more likely to have moist honey to dark brown coloured wax.
Sufficient ear wax is necessary to clean the ear canal. It slowly works its way outwards, aided by movement of the jaw. As it moves outwards, it sweeps out dirt which sticks to it.
Do not use cotton swabs for cleaning out ear wax, as they can actually push the ear wax back in. There is also a risk of damaging the eardrum. Ear picks are more effective, having a scoop and a safety stop to prevent deep insertion. Ear picks are more commonly used by Asians who tend to have the dry ear wax that is easily removed by light scraping. The dry ear wax simply falls out in large pieces or dry flakes.
Symptoms
- Pain, earache.
- Blocked ears with a feeling of stuffy fullness, ache, congestion and loss of hearing from a build-up of ear wax.
- Itching or tickling inside or around the ear canal is common and can have several causes. It may be accompanied by pain, inflammation or loss of hearing.
- Fluid or pus can discharge from the ear or cause a blockage of the eustachian tubes. This is usually caused by an infection and may need more urgent medical attention.
Causes (internal)
- Bacteria, fungus or virus infection. Pain in one or both ears, temporary hearing loss or fever can be caused by a middle-ear infection. Microorganisms causing the infection can include staphylococcus, pseudomonas, candida, herpes zoster and viral myringitis.
- Injury can cause a burst eardrum. Be very careful about sticking anything in the ear.
- Itchy ears can be caused by too little or too much wax production, allergies including seasonal allergies which can cause itchy ear canals much the same way as histamine release causes irritated, watery eyes. Fungal infections often occur in swimmers or those who expose their ears to dirty water. Itchy ears may affect those who are prone to recurrent skin conditions.
- Ear wax can accumulate and cause a blockage. Normally ear wax is continually produced and flakes or washes away, but sometimes it gets blocked and builds up. Blocked ears are actually more likely to occur with people who use cotton buds to clean out wax in ear canals as they can push the wax deeper into the ear.
- Swimmer's ear is an Infection in the outer ear - wear earplugs or avoid swimming in suspect water such as poorly chlorinated swimming pools, dirty or polluted rivers or lakes.
- Pressure changes from air travel or diving. To equalise and relieve pressure changes, open the mouth as wide as possible whilst yawning and moving the jaw around.
- Mucus build-up from a cold can cause mild earache.
- Foreign bodies such as hairs, insects or cotton buds.
Causes (external)
- Sinus, gum or throat infection. Tonsillitis.
- Jaw (temporomandibular TMJ) inflammation or misalignment.
- Tooth problems, impacted teeth, tooth grinding.
- Allergies such as hay fever.
- Infections or growths in the nose, tongue, esophagus and pharynx.
- Migraine.
- Posture. Misalignment of the second and third cervical vertebrae, C2 and C3.
- Injury, trauma.
Home remedies for ear problems
- Garlic, a powerful antibiotic and healing herb.
- Solution of sea salt. Lie on your side, and using a dropper drop 4-5 drops of body temperature salt solution in one ear. Continue lying on your side for a few minutes before turning over and letting the salt solution drain out. Then do this for the other ear. Repeat this procedure two or three times per day.
- Apple cider vinegar to help relieve itchiness and discomfort, prevent infection, and remove ear wax accumulation. In most cases all you need to do to treat your blocked ear is lie on your side and use a dropper to drip vinegar down into your ear canal. Apply 4-5 drops then gently pull on your ear lobe and leave it for 5 minutes. Turn over so your ear faces down to let the vinegar flow out.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a popular remedy for treating ear infections, soothing pain and relieving ear blockages. It helps remove ear wax and treat different kinds of infections. Lie on your side and use a dropper to drip 2-3 drops of diluted hydrogen peroxide down into your ear canal. Wait for a couple of minutes then turn over so your ear faces down and the liquid can run out. Gently rinse your ear with clean water and dry with a soft towel.
- Olive oil or mineral oil. My preference is olive oil, a natural antibiotic and soothing remedy. A thin oil is useful for blocked ears primarily due to ear wax. It helps soften the wax so that it can come out on its own. Use an eyedropper to gently drop a couple of drops of oil down into your ear. Do this once per day. After 3-4 days the wax should be softened. If you decide to risk using a cotton swab or q-tip take great care to avoid going too deep and damaging the ear. Be sure to avoid pushing the earwax in deeper. It is best to let the softened wax come out on its own.
- Vaporiser to relieve congestion. A bowl of hot water, a few drops of eucalyptus oil or your favourite essential oil, hold your face above the water and cover your head and the bowl with a towel. Breathe deeply and stay under the towel for a few minutes or as long as is comfortable.
If you use any remedies from Grow Youthful, please come back next week (or whenever you have an outcome) and let us know about your experience. Please leave a comment as many people are interested.
See details of remedies recommended by Grow Youthful visitors, and their experience with them.