Earaches are a common but painful part of childhood illness. Knowing how badly an earache can hurt made me cringe when my four-year-old started crying and complaining that his ear felt like it was going to explode. His eardrum eventually did burst after a couple of days, and although it was alarming, he felt a great deal better. We used sweet oil and a cotton ball to help alleviate the pain. He was able to run and play in between pangs of pain. Thankfully, the ear infection lasted only two days. He is happy to be back to pre-school and his regular daily routine.

Ear infection Causes:

The Eustachian tube in the ear becomes blocked and fluid becomes trapped in the ear. This becomes a fertile place for germs to grow and may cause a viral or bacterial infection. Because children’s tubes are smaller, their ears become blocked more easily. Allergies and vitamin deficiency are also causes of ear infection.

Symptoms of an ear infection:

• Earache
• Fussiness and/or pulling at the ear accompanied by inconsolable crying in babies and younger children
• Fever may accompany other symptoms
• Thick yellow fluid flowing from ear—this is not serious, but indicates the eardrum has burst and eases the pain

Home Remedies for an ear infection:

• Apply warm compresses or heating pads
• Put 2-3 drops of sweet oil or extra extra virgin oil in affected ear—warmed in a teaspoon of warm water
• Use 1-2 drops of colloidal silver—a natural antibiotic
• Avoid dairy products while symptoms persist

** Consult a physician if there is not any improvement within 2-3 days.

–Anne

Do you have any home remedies for an ear infection? Comment and share them with us!

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