We just returned from a vacation this afternoon and the last two days I developed an ear infection. I am calling my doctor in the morning, but this is extremely painful. I don't think it is swimmers ear for I didn't sumberge myself into the ocean water...I am taking Ibuprofen every 4 hours now...but any advice will help!
2007-07-08 09:50:58 · 11 answers · asked by Lovin' Life As Mama & Wife 6 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
Applying heat to the ear, which may help with pain. Use a warm washcloth or a heating pad. NSAIDs are best for the pain relieft (Motrin, Advil, Aleve). Do not take an antihistamine as this can make your symptoms worse! Good luck! Feel better soon!
2007-07-08 09:56:27 · answer #1 · answered by jaymepooh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to get ear infections all the time as a young kid. The easiest way to fix it is to go to the doctors and ask for augmentin (i think thats what its called... they are these like 3 or 5 day pink pills that treat it really fast with almost no side effects). But other things to do are getting the numbing ear drops from your doctor (although you need a perscription for that too). The only other thing that has ever kinda helped is to take a warm/damp washcloth and put it on top of a coffee mug. And then you put that over your ears. I used to do that on the plane because i have really sensitive ears, but it works for ear infection pain too (its basically the same feeling... the feeling that your head has a balloon inside it swelling up and trying to like explode... not so fun!).
Hope this helps!
2007-07-08 20:43:20 · answer #2 · answered by looneylovegood4 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a few drops of rubbing alcohol in your ear for a little bit. Also you could try:
take a clean long sock, most likely a mens sock, put about a cup of rice in the sock and heat it in the microwave for about a min. then put it on the ear that is hurting and take some pain med. not only does this take away the pressure causing the pain but if you do this often enough it will drain the build up in your ear
A lot of times now doctors are steering clear of antibiotics for ear infections because the overuse of antibiotics is causing resistant forms of conditions to form. Try these for a few days and see if they help. If not, then see a doctor for an antibiotic.
Hope this helps. Feel better.
2007-07-08 16:56:46 · answer #3 · answered by Peatea 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be careful with certain so-called "home remedies".
You can pick up some medicated OTC ear drops from any pharmacy or grocery store. Don't put garlic, toothpaste, an older model BMW, or most of the other hogwash that many people will recommend. Many of these old wives' remedies can actually make a potential ear infection worse.
Pop an anti-inflamatory/pain med like Acetaminophen or the like and keep a warm compress on the ear.
2007-07-08 17:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by Nick W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a teaspoon of olive oil and warm it up. Usually a little flame under a metal spoon will do it. pour it in the ear and cotton ball up the ear for a few hours. The heat and oil will make the ear feel better for a little while.
I would suggest going to the doctor as soon as you can get an appointment to get some ear drops. Any heat and oil that you use will help but may not fully heal the ear.
2007-07-08 17:02:41 · answer #5 · answered by mrslet02 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At the first sign of ear infection I put a few drops of a half and half solution of vinegar and water. I have had chronic ear infections since I was a child and my doctor told me to do this. I don't ever have to go and see him anymore. For the pain, you can apply a compress of Dry heat (put about a cup of rice into a dry skillet and stir around about 5 minutes over me/high heat until all the moisture is gone. then put it into a cotton sock and let it cool for a few minutes then put it over your ear). You can reuse this by reheating it in the microwave fow about 45 seconds. You can also warm a few drops of sweet almond oil and drop it into your ear (you can get it in the pharmacy section).
2007-07-08 17:05:43 · answer #6 · answered by MJ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A drop of oil of cloves in the ear is an excellant remedy. If you were swimming during your vacation chances are you have swimmers ear. A preventive measure for that is a drop of alchol in each ear before swimming. You can use a blow dryer to dry up any fluid in the ear as well. See the Doc! Ear infections can cause hearing loss. Remember oil of cloves. You may have to get that from your local health store. Its good to have on hand.
2007-07-08 16:57:38 · answer #7 · answered by walking on sunshine 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No home remedies, this might make your ear worse. Wait for the doc and get antibiotics and use pain management such as Ibuprophen.
I have the same thing right now, must e the time of year. :(
2007-07-08 17:04:18 · answer #8 · answered by ncgirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A warm compress on the ear may help the pain.
2007-07-08 16:53:48 · answer #9 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can take paracetamol too - just alternate the doses with brufen. Take each alternately every two hours - keeps the pain control level up.
Good luck - I have a 16 month old upstairs suffering at the moment too :(
2007-07-08 16:55:08 · answer #10 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋