Ear Infection Treatment

An ear infection refers to an infection in any of the three parts of the ear i.e. external, middle and inner ear. Infection in the external part is known as Otitis externa or swimmer's ear, middle ear infection is known as Otitis media and inner ear infection is known as Otitis interna. The main causes behind such an infection are entry of certain foreign bodies, germs, virus or bacteria in the ear which hamper its normal functioning. Some of the symptoms are pain and swelling in the ear, headache, inability to sleep, discharge from the ear, fever, nasal congestion and irritability. This can occur in both adults as well as infants and can be very discomforting, if timely treatment is not taken. Below are some effective home remedies as well as medication which a person should follow.

Home Remedies

Salt
In case there is accumulation of pus or fluid in the ear, then one of the most effective remedies to drain it out is to heat some salt, pour it in a sock or a small bag and place it near the ear for fifteen minutes. This will aid in clearing off the pus from the ear as well as minimize the pain caused.

Olive Oil and Garlic Juice
Make a mixture of garlic juice and olive oil and pour it in the ear. Both garlic and olive oil are known for their antibiotic properties, so when they are put in the baby's ear, they help in curing the infection.

Essential Oils
Put a drop of any of the essential oils such as clove oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil or almond oil in the baby's ear. This helps in reducing the discomfort as well as cures the infection.

Diet
A healthy diet is necessary to heal the infection at the earliest. One of the causes behind an ear infection can be a vitamin and mineral deficiency in the body. So a diet which provides the body with the right amount of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B3 should be taken. Toddlers can be given breast milk as well as juices of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, to ward off the infection.

Medication

Pain Relievers
The doctors prescribe certain pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin to the people who are suffering from an ear infection. These medication minimize the pain as well as cure the fever, which might occur in the patient due to the infection.

Antibiotics
Antibiotics may also be prescribed by the doctors especially if the infection is new. Antibiotics however, kill only the bacteria and not the virus that are causing the ear infection.

Decongestants
Antihistamines, diphenhydramine and pseudoephedrine are some of the decongestants that may be prescribed to adults. These decongestants treat the bacterial infections and also minimize the swelling in the Eustachian tube.

The treatment methods mentioned above are able to cure the infection in most patients. However, if the bacteria responsible for the infection does not respond to these treatments and it continues for more than three months, then a surgery, known as tympanostomy, may be suggested by the doctors as the last option.