How to Soothe an Earache

Pain from an earache can at times become unbearable.

If you have ever had an earache, you probably understand how uncomfortable and painful they can be. Earaches are caused by many things, such as infections, wax buildups, blockages and altitude changes. The pain can be mild to severe, and if pain persists, you should visit your doctor. If you have an earache, there are several things you can do to soothe the discomfort.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A newspaper
• Matches or lighter

1. Use cold treatments. To help reduce the pain, take an ice pack or a cold wet wash cloth and place it on your outer ear for around 20 minutes. Cold treatments work well for inflammation, which is one cause of an earache. The cold reduces the inflammation, which lessens the pain of an earache.

2. Use heat treatments. An earache caused by tension or wax buildup can be relieved by using a heating pad or warm washcloth. Place the pad or washcloth on your outer ear for around 20 minutes. The heat can reduce the tension and soften the earwax, which helps relieve earache pain.

3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are common pain relievers. Follow the directions printed on the package for dosage explanations.

4. Chew gum. When you chew gum, the movement of the jaw can relieve pressure in the ear. This is a common remedy to relieve ear pressure when flying in an airplane. Change in altitude is a common cause of ear pain and chewing gum is a safe method to help relieve this type of pain. Parents with infants should give their child a bottle to suck -- this can produce similar results as chewing gum and often alleviates ear pressure.

5. Use olive oil or ear drops. Warm olive oil and place a few drops into your ear, allowing the oil to penetrate into the ear. After a few minutes, lie on the opposite side to allow the oil to exit the ear. You can also purchase ear drops at most pharmacies. These over-the-counter drops are placed into the infected ears and can help reduce earache pain.

Tips & Warnings

• If you hear the swishing sound or the cone breaks, then the air trapped in your ear has been released. If it doesn't happen the first time, try again.

• If you have a severe earache with swelling, a bad headache or fever, you should call your doctor.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Earache Treatment
• National Institutes of Health: Earache