How to Drain an Inner Ear Infection

Ear infections are common and you can treat most them at home. In many cases, ear infections arrive from bacteria or viruses like the common cold. Liquid may drain from the ear infected, or there may be pain and irritation. Fortunately, there are safe and effective methods to drain fluid from ear infections, while speeding up the healing process. Follow these steps to drain your ear infection and get the comfort you need.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Warm compress
• Swimmer's ear drops
• Pressure relief device

1. Tilt your head to the side and use a warm compress against your ear. The warmth will allow evaporation and comfort for pain. You may need to reheat the compress as it cools and clean it from the drainage.

2. Use swimmer’s eardrops for ear drainage and help ease discomfort. This will speed up the healing process of your ear infection. Keep this in your medicine cabinet if you frequently get ear infections.

3. Keep all objects out of your ear canal and wash your hands frequently. One of the common ways to catch ear infections is through dirty hands and other objects. Keep ear buds and earplugs clean and do not put any objects in your ear canal, including hairpins and cotton tips.

4. Use a pressure relief device. Ask your doctor for a prescription for a pressure relief device so you will have this available at home when you have an ear infection. This device will ventilate and drain inner ear fluids, with a constant stream of air.

5. Seek medical help if you have ear fluid or severe pain for more than six weeks. Most ear infections heal on their own with time, and the average healing time equals about the same even when the doctor prescribes eardrops or antibiotics. However, doctors are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics for ear infections, as frequent antibiotic use can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Tips & Warnings

• The EarPopper is highly recommended by doctors as the number one pressure relief device. It is fast and simple, while proven to be safe in clinical studies, with the latest study published in Ear, Nose & Throat Journal and funded by the National Institutes of Health.
• Try drug-free methods to drain middle ear fluids and comfort your pain.
• Cotton tips are used for cosmetics and cleaning the outside of the ears, not for cleaning inside of the ear canal.
• Always consult your doctor if you have colored drainage or hearing loss. If you suffer from ear infections often, it could be a sign of medical problem.
• Common ear infections last under six weeks, with symptoms of minor irritation and ear fluids. If your ear infection lasts longer than six weeks, seek medical attention immediately.
• Cotton tips are used for cosmetics and cleaning the outside of the ears, not for cleaning inside of the ear canal. Do not stick any object inside of your ear canal.

Resources

• The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
• Pressure Relief Device

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[susandeanie]

on 7/10/2009 what is a pressure relief device? how do they work?