How to ease earache

Applying heat can help with many types of earache. It also boosts the blood flow and stimulates the metabolism, which aids the healing process. Lay a hot water bottle, cherry stone cushion or a warm pack on the ear that hurts. Make sure that it’s not too hot.

An onion poultice has two benefits: Heat helps, while the onion itself is said to have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. How it works: Dice an onion and steam it. Wrap it in a cloth. Check the temperature of the poultice on the back of your hand before applying it to the ear.

The nasopharynx is connected to the ear. That’s why, if you have earache it can help to clear a blocked nose with a nasal rinse or saltwater nasal drops. Inhaling warm steam can also help. A middle ear infection is often caused by poor ventilation of the middle ear. Once the mucous membranes go down again, the ventilation usually improves, too. 

Chewing has two important functions for the ear: First, the movement of the ear canal transports earwax outwards. And second, it indirectly improves the ventilation of the middle ear, because chewing stimulates the production of saliva, which means you have to swallow more often as a result. Chewing gum is therefore useful in case of earwax plugs or a tympanic effusion. However, if the ear canal is severely inflamed, chewing can be too painful. 

You should never drip warm oil into your ear, as is sometimes recommended as a home remedy! And don’t clean your ears with cotton buds or sharp objects. This can quickly lead to injuries, which cause infections. The ear canal usually cleans itself. Large lumps of earwax have to be removed by a doctor.