Have you ever felt like something’s wrong with your ear? Do you feel pain and nauseous? If yes, you probably have an ear infection. An ear infection

is when one of your eustachian tubes becomes swollen or blocked, causing fluid to build up in your middle ear. Eustachian tubes are simply small tubes that run from each ear directly to the back of the throat.

In simple terms, an ear infection occurs when there is an inflammation in the ear and happens mostly with kids. The infection may either be caused by bacteria or a virus. This happens in the inner ear, middle ear, and outer ear. Children are the most susceptible to this infection because a child's immune system is not as effective as an adult's. And can create a very painful sensation in your ear and affect your day-to-day routine, that’s why these cases shall be treated immediately.

Symptoms of ear infection mostly include: pain in the ear, vomiting, nausea, fever, changes in hearing, headache, swelling of the ear, and a sticky discharge from the ear. These symptoms can come and go just like a toothache. And can occur in both your ears. Since children are prone to contract this infection, infants as young as 6 months are more susceptible and may be deadly. In this case, if you contract it and is manageable, then using natural remedies could be a good start. This is also one of the reasons kids can’t attend their classes. People with weak immune systems are more prone to ear infections than others. Additionally, those who have diabetes and chronic skin diseases are also more likely to contract ear infections. Some natural remedies have been found to be helpful in alleviating symptoms of ear infections.

There are 3 areas where ear infections occur:

1. MIDDLE EAR

This area is just behind the eardrum, composed of the eardrum itself and a hollow area of the facial bone. Infections in the middle ear are typically caused by viruses or bacteria usually from the mouth, eyes, and nasal passage. It can excrete fluid or pus inside the ear due to the buildup of pressure from infection. People who have infection in the middle ear will feel fever and tiredness. The causes of such infection are: common cold, allergies, flu, and other sinus or throat infections. Bacteria from the throat or nasal passage can make its way through the eustachian tube causing a fluid buildup. This is more likely to happen to smokers.

2. OUTER EAR

This area includes the cartilaginous structure (pinna) and ear canal ending at the eardrum (tympanic membrane). The most common type of outer ear infection is the “swimmer’s ear. It is caused by having excessive water in the ear due to swimming or taking a bath for too long. This infection is simply having things inside the ear just like using cotton swabs which can result in injuring the ear canal and creates an area for germs to spread. This results in itchiness and irritation of the ear canal caused by injuries from foreign objects. Symptoms include swollen, painful, and a tender feeling when touching the ear.

3. INNER EAR

This area includes fluid-filled semicircular canals, cochlea, vestibular nerve, and auditory nerve. Inner ear infections are usually caused by a virus and are more characterized as an inflammation of the inner ear and not really an infection. Symptoms include change in hearing, dizziness, ringing of the ears, and vertigo.

Ear infections can be annoying and painful, but not all cases need antibiotics. Some infections can be treated with home remedies that include:

1. GARLIC

Garlic has been found to help fight infections. It has been used over the centuries for treating ear infections and earache. Few studies have shown that naturopathic ear drops containing garlic had been very effective in alleviating symptoms of ear infections.

To make garlic oil, first peel the garlic clove and Crush the garlic to open it up. Add garlic and oil into a pan and sauté. pour the garlic and oil mixture into a jar and strain out the garlic. Put two or three drops of warm garlic oil into the ear then gently place the piece of cotton over the opening of the ear just enough to stop the oil from seeping out.

Or you can just soak the piece of cotton in the oil and rest it just inside the ear so the oil seeps into the ear canal.

2. ICE PACK OR COLD COMPRESS

An ice pack or cold compress can be very effective in soothing pain from ear infection symptoms. Just like what you do in a toothache, holding a cold compress on the affected area works well. Just hold an ice pack or cold, damp washcloth to the ear for 20 minutes to help numb ear pain and reduce any potential inflammation.

3. GINGER

Ginger has always been known to have several health benefits and one of them is its natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe pain from earaches.

Simply apply ginger juice or ginger oil only around the outer ear canal. Never out it directly into your ear,

4. OLIVE OIL

This has been a popular ingredient in the kitchen, but you might not know that it can also be a remedy for your ear infection. A study found that herbal ear drops containing olive oil helped alleviate pain from symptoms of ear infection.

Using olive oil or other natural remedies for the ear shall not be done if you have a ruptured eardrum since it may cause many more problems. See to it that the garlic oil or whatever you're using for your ears work fine for you.

To apply olive oil drops, lie on your side with the affected ear facing up and put two or three drops of olive oil in the opening of your ear. Gently massage the skin at the front of the entrance to your ear canal to help the oil work its way in. Remain on your side for 5 to 10 minutes and repeat in the other ear if needed.

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