Does anyone know of any effective, but safe, home remedies for curing an ear infection?

Question

I don't have any insurance and I am a broke college student

Answer 1

Find a free clinic. Ask around at college; my state college had a clinic and I made use of it several times. Inner ear infections nearly killed me when I was a kid, and I'm lucky I didn't loose my hearing. Sell your game machines if you have to, but ear infections are not curable at home unless you've got a great immune system (which you probably don't, or you'd feel fine by now.)

Just realize there's a bug inside your ear and it's replicating and doing damage to you. A stitch in time saves nine....

Good luck.

Answer 2

Use a capfull of warm (not hot!) peroxide in each ear (one ear at a time). And let it sit for a few minutes, then tilt your head and allow it to run out onto a napkin or papertowel. You may need to do this once or twice a day until you feel the inner ear pain go away. I will warn you that the peroxide will tickle the inside of your ears. It is very important that the peroxide is warm, otherwise your ear drum is already irritated & the peroxide will shock it when you pour it in, and trust me it Hurts! I usually put it a few capfulls in a glass & warm it for about 8 seconds in the microwave (it will get to hot if you warm it more than 10 sec.).
Another option is to go to GNC and buy ear candles ( I know you probably have never heard of them), I SWEAR BY THEM!
I know you said you are broke, but they only cost about $9 or $10 for two of them. Make sure you follow the directions exactly and that you have someone help you. If you're skeptical, cut one open after you've used it & put out the flame. You'll be amazed at what comes out of your ear. It will have a tunnel effect & a buzz in your ear while your doing it, but that's normal.
To explain how it works: It is shaped like a narrow cone with a small opening at the small end (which you insert in your ear opening, but not far) and the large end is open as well. The material looks like hair waxing cloth (if you know what that is) or just a cotton cloth that is coated in bee's wax. The large end is lit while the small in is at the opening of your ear canal & the fire creates a vacuum (fire creates a vacuum is scientifically proven), which sucks out junk & helps to dry out the moisture/ fluid that is causing the ear infection. I know this sounds crazy, but you can look it up online. I've used them for 15 years. I've had cronic ear infections my entire life & had spinal minengitus (sp?) once as a baby. I've tried everything under the sun. Even anti-biotics weren't effective or they worked, but they didn't work fast enough. I use to only use them when I had an ear infection. Even for basic sinus discomfort that is related to the ear canal, it works like a charm. I use them once a month to keep my ears clean and keep the moisture out of my ear canal & ever since I've used them monthly, I haven't had an ear infection. (it's been 5 years) Good Luck! I know how you're feeling & it's one of the worst pains in the world. Get well soon.
P.S. Take ibuprofen or asprin to help take the edge off the pain. Tylenol will do nothing for it.

Answer 3

Well first of all, I would not recommend the use of the ear wax candles. Actually i've seen enough patients who end up with perforated ear drums from the heat and suction that they create. Second of all, if it is an infection it woudln't help anyway. Finally, over 80% of 'true' ear infections are viral, so antibiotics, etc. have no real use. Warm compresses, anti-inflammatory/pain meds should help the discomfort. Any significant discharge, whitish, yellowish (not clear) should prompt you to be seen.

Answer 4

Do not stick anything in your ear unless it is prescribed by a physician. Use a heating pad and put your painful ear side on the pad. Take Ibuprophen because it relieves inflammation and takes away pain.
You can use a hair dryer on your ear, but be careful not to get it too hot.
RN x 12 yrs and long term ear ache sufferer.

Answer 5

In the years gone by, they used mineral oil, now a days the same still works, take a q-tip and dip it in the mineral oil and gently swab your ear, do not use alot as the inner ear is warm and mineral oil is well very oily, I just got done doing my ears' and just for extra info(you can use it on your dogs ears. If you own a dog.. The above is recommended at twice a day.

Answer 6

heat some sweet oil and let hit cool. Put the sweet oil in the ear and then a cotton ball.

Answer 7

I have one now. Try a warm wash rag it will draw out the fluid. But you are going to have to go to see a doctor. Don't let it go untreated. Trust me you will pay more later.

Answer 8

blow dryer or blow smoke in to the ear and put a cotton ball in to hold the smoke in