Does anyone know about ear infections?

[loopy]

For the past...I'd say, three to four days, there's been this sharp pain in my ear. Whenever I applied pressure from about my hairline down to my ear, it hurt and felt like there was liquid inside. Now it only hurts from the outside right near my ear. It pounds inside my ear, and across my head, and I've been having trouble sleeping because of the pain. I believe I've also lost some of the hearing of my right ear--my voice echoes inside my head when I speak aloud.

I've been plugging my ear with lavender, tea tree, and eucolyptus as recommended by a book. My question is--anyone else have a similiar experience? If so, how long before it healed, and what did you do to assist the healing? Any other oils/treatments I could use? I'm reluctant to go to a doctor, and would much rather find an effective natural healing remedy.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Believe it or not I've found that a blow dryer on low works wonders. Use it on the ear lightly the warm air is soothing.

[loopy]

Thank you very much. :) I'm going to try that. :)

[skysteed]

Been there, done that.
2 months ago I got an ear infection, figured I'd deal with it. A week later it was in the other ear as well. "called : bilateral ear infection." Usually happens to kids, I'm almost half a century old, even if I feel like a kid most of the time.
Gave up went to doctor, got one lot of medication, did nothing ( this was a brand new drug supposed to work wonders, NOT) went tback to doctor 5 days later gave me old fashion anatibiotic, 4 days later pain was releaving. But not enough to make my doctor happy, sent me to specialistwaited 7 weeks for the appointment, he couldn't do anything because by this time my body had taken over and was in it's own healing process. But I was still getting the twinges in the ears, and still am. Fewer and father apart in time.
The infection cleared up, but because I waited so long I caused a thickening of the ear drum, still get little twinges in the ears, but they are bearable. Specialist told me it would clear up in time. Again the body doing it's own thing and working on heaing itself.
So when it comes to your hearing, don't wait to long. You could loose your hearing if the infection gets out of control.

The blow drier will ease the pain a little but does nothing to deal with the infection.
If I sound like a mother, it'sbecause I AM!
Blessings

[loopy]

Hee. You sound just like my mom. That's almost exactly what she said. She found some new ear drops that she'd had for a simliar infection a while ago, and she make me take 'em. :)

Still hurts though.

btw, I am typing this from my new, all-installed computer! Yay! ::Snoopy dance::

[amberlaine]

YEs, please go to the doctor. THere are herbal things you can take for ear infections but generally speakin gyou need antibiotics, and good ones.

If you really dont want to do this...there is a company called HErbs For Kids that makes herbal liquid medications for all sorts of ailments, and they make something for ears. I forget what its called. But you put the drops in your ears and I've heard wonderful things about this product. I use HErbs for Kids for a great many things--its good medicine.

But I do recommend you see a doctor. Youd DOT wanna damage your ears.

[loopy]

Thank you all for your replies. I think the stuff my mom has--prescribed by her doctor--is an antiobiodent. You drip it in your ears...I'm gonna do it now, in fact. They're killing me. :( Then I'll go blowdry my ear to make the healing process a little less painful. :)

[Yvonne Belisle]

That's doing the best of both things. Get better soon.

[Emy]

I had an ear infection a couple of weeks ago, it got so bad (really quickly, it all happened the same night) that my eardrum actually broke and fluids came out (really disgusting). Anyways today it has healed just fine, and I have no problems with the ear now, however, when you get an ear infection and the eardrum breaks you may get trouble with your hearing if you're unlucky because there will be a scar on your eardrum. So always, always go to your doctor and get the antibiotic before the eardrum actually breaks! =)

Besides it hurts like hell when the infection gets this bad, you sure don't want it to happen! I was in so much pain I didn't know what to do, and it went on for 8 hours! I really thought I was gonna go crazy.... So see the doctor before it gets that bad =)

Blessed be

[Lucidia]

in my experience... you should always get those things checked up by a doctor.. because one time I thought mistakenly that I had an ear infection (after coming back from vacation in a much more warm/humid area, and spending hours on a plane) because of the discomfort and such. I went to the hospital after my throat became sore as well. Turned out that I had a severe throat infection, and it had been spreading into the tubes that lead to the ear, which is what made me think i had an ear infection and caused the pressure and discomfort and affected my hearing. Antibiotics cleared it all up. Although my case isn't the same as every case, it's good to get checked up, because bacteria are tricky, and you're dealing with an area of the body where everything is interconnected through your throat.

I hope you feel better soon, infections are never fun.

[loopy]

:) Thanks everyone for all your help. My ear is much better--no more pain, and I have maybe 85% of my hearing back. :) Thanks for all your tips.

[BearDancing]

????? is there something that you are not hearing? Or is there continual argueing somewhere around you?


There may be an underlyihg cause for the ear infection that you are not aware of

Love and Respect.........FairieSpirit

[Jewlz]

Hello!
When ears are seriosly blocked or in abit of pain lie down and get someone to drop olive oil into your ear. let it soak for say 10 minutes then, (with a tissue over your ear!) turn your head the other way so the oil and gunk comes out. It cleans and soothes your ear.
It is not a cure but is something you can take with antibiotics. Some herbs with medicine are abit risky.
But yes, it is good to try and avoid antibiotics, they stuff up your immune system. I feel some Doctors are just to eager to prescribe antibiotics these days.
Your lucky you didn't get yours on holiday! I did!

Get Well Soon,
Jewlz

[Fawn]

Heat the sweet oil to a tempature you can tolerate then place it in your ear.
Sounds to me as if you had swimmer's ear--it's very common and after the infection is over--here's what you do after each and everytime you shower, shampoo, swim, bath whenever you get your ears wet titl your head to one side and place one drop of rubbing alcohol in it then tilt your head to the opposite side and place one drop of rubbing alcohol in it that ear this will cut out any ear infections.
And my Mom ALWAYS used to place a drop of urine in our ears whenever we would have an earache immediately and I nor my brother or my children ever received ear infections. She'd p[lace a cotton ball in it the ear after that and have us lie down on that ear and sleep for a bit--it always worked!! I knbow-I'll probably catch the dickens for this but hey its quick cheap and easy and it is fool proof!

[loopy]

Originally posted by FairieSpirit
????? is there something that you are not hearing? Or is there continual argueing somewhere around you?


There may be an underlyihg cause for the ear infection that you are not aware of

Love and Respect.........FairieSpirit

My ear was so clogged that I my voice was echoing inside my own head and I couldn't hear that well out of it. It's practically all better now. :) As for the cause, I think it was physical rather than emotional. :)

[idusty88]

There are inner ear infections and outer ear infections.
The outer ear infections are commonly called swimmer's ear and are the result of a fungus or bacteria growing in the outer ear. The outer ear canal may itch and drain or even swell. A doctor can prescribe drops which will clear this up, or if you cannot get to a doctor home remedies exist, but are painful.
On one occasion when confronted with an outer ear infection and no immediate access to an MD, I poured iodine into my ear canals. It burned like fire, but I waited ten minutes before rinsing it out and putting several drops of olive oil in to soothe my ear. For some time afterwards dead skin peeled out of my ear, but the infection was gone and my ears healed.
On another occasion, I mixed 1/4 parts tea tree oil with 3/4 parts canola oil. This worked too and was slightly less painful.
The best way to deal with outer ear infections is to not get them in the first place. Do this by swimming in clean pools only, not poking dirty fingers in the ear, and keeping the ear unclogged of excess wax. The best way I've found to clear excess wax is to boil the ear out with peroxide a few times per year (especially before and after swim season). I pour peroxide into my ear while lying on my side, allow it to boil several minutes. Place a cloth or kleenex over the ear and roll over. Do the other ear while the first one drains. Repeat several times or until the boiling is almost non-existent. I'm always amazed at how much goop can collect in a person's ear.

It sounds as if you have an inner ear infection. Headcolds and allergies can trigger an inner ear infection, or anytime you have swelling &/or excess fluid in the ear/nose/throat area. Kids get ear infections more often because their eustachion tubes draining the ear into the throat are shorter and more horizontal than an adults. Also kids aren't aware to pop their ears when they feel them stopped up or to blow their nose and keep nasal passages clear.
When you feel the first hints of ear congestion, it can help to take a decongestant such as sudafed. This will shrink the swelling and help the ear to drain and possibly prevent an ear infection. Warm mint tea with honey won't hurt either. Anything that opens you up and helps the congestion drain is good. But once the ear is fully plugged and painful, you are looking at a full blown infection which must run it's course. Antibiotics from the doctor are the best bet at that point, they'll get you healing the fastest. Natural antibiotics are helpful too, but you'll need to get that info from a licensed herbalist or reliable book.

[loopy]

Thanks idusty. :) Your post came at a good time--I'm gettin all stuffy again. Iodine? That burns? Did the tea tree and canola produce just as good effects?

[oskila]

When I was small, me and my siblings got ear infection. Mom was in australia at the time and dad had to cope with it by himself. He chopped some garlic and put it with cotton pads in our ears. The next day, we felt no pain whatsoever. ( The bedroom smelled like a french kitchen though)

[skysteed]

I think it's time we opened up a new thread.
"Home Remedies"
I've read a lot of good, sound folk remidies.

[Yvonne Belisle]

An excellent suggestion and if I don't see one when I reach the top I will add one. If there is one I will stick it and we can see how many things we can cover.

[idusty88]

Originally posted by loopy
Thanks idusty. :) Your post came at a good time--I'm gettin all stuffy again. Iodine? That burns? Did the tea tree and canola produce just as good effects?
Yeah, both burned. The iodine the most. I suppose because the skin is already tender from the infection. This won't do anything to help an inner ear infection though, just an outie (swimmer's ear).
Someone mentioned using warm olive oil (sweet oil) and a cotton ball in the ear canal to ease the pain of an inner ear infection. I remember that from childhood too. It may help quite a fussy kid but, it won't do anything for the infection causing the pain.

[WandererInGray]

Bump...*smiles*....so I can find it at home.

[~*Ginger*~]

Well Loopy, i hope by now your ears are better...

I've used a drop or two of "Sweet oil" for earaches.

And i read just awhile ago that having someone blow smoke in your ear,
and something my grandmother use to tell us was to find an African American friend and get a small piece of their hair to poke in your ear.

I've never tried the last 2, but the first has worked for me.


But I do recommend you see a doctor. Youd DOT wanna damage your ears.
i do totally agree with this!

[IvyCeltress]

I just went to a new dr yesterday for a general physical, and she mention that there is scar tissue in my ears from all the infections both inside and outside so I feel for you.

I second most of the posting with a couple of add-ons. When the sweet oil you may want also apply heat as well. Either a heating pad or hot water bottle. I also use a hand held massager.

Simaslan also have homeopathic ear drops which you can get at most drug stores.

I also suggest going to chiropractor. Sometimes ear infections are cassed by blockages and a good chiropractor can help the drainage of the gunk.

BTW, has anyone tried candling to clean your ears. It sounds intriguing.

[WandererInGray]

The sweet oil helped tremenodously! :D I'm not sure if I had an actual infection or if there was just water in my ear, but the "wind" noise is gone and I'm not dizzy anymore.

Ivy...I've done lots of reading on the Ear Candling, because I was intrequed at first too. But the more I read, it's mostly a nice experience and not really helpful as far as the claims of cleaning out your ears. *smiles*

[IvyCeltress]

The sweet oil helped tremenodously! :D I'm not sure if I had an actual infection or if there was just water in my ear, but the "wind" noise is gone and I'm not dizzy anymore.

Ivy...I've done lots of reading on the Ear Candling, because I was intrequed at first too. But the more I read, it's mostly a nice experience and not really helpful as far as the claims of cleaning out your ears. *smiles*

Thanks. I'll cross it of my list of things to try.