Fluid builds up in the ear, which is also known as serous otitis media, is a situation where a kind of fluid comes from the ear. It is the accumulation of fluid behind the eardrum that can occur when the auditory tube is impaired. Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. This infection often clears up on their own. But sometimes, antibiotics are also prescribed by doctors to clear the infection. The fluid build up in your ear can be serious sometimes, so it needs to be treated immediately. Here, we will discuss 11 effective natural remedies for fluid in the ear.
At first, let’s know about the cause of fluid build-up in the ear.
In this article:
What is the Cause of Fluid in-Ear?
Safety Regarding Fluid Build Up in the Ear
11 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fluid Build Up in Your Ear
Prevention of Fluid Build Up in Your Ear
When to See a Doctor?
What is the Cause of Fluid in-Ear?
Anyone can experience fluid in the the the ear, but mostly children. This infection occurs in children because of the anatomy of their auditory tube. Most of the fluid build-up is causes ear tube dysfunction. The other common causes for the fluid build up in the ear for both adults and children are:
- Excessive exposure to chemical irritants such as cigarette smoke
- Any congestion because of any similar infection, any cold virus or pregnancy
- Increased tonsils, sinus tissue, adenoids or any other growth that can block auditory tubes.
- Any kind of allergies and respiratory infections can cause fluid build-up in the ear.
- Changes in air pressure can affect the fluid flow. This situation occurs while flying in an airplane or drinking when lying down.
- Fluid builds up in the ear is generally caused by a virus or bacteria. The virus is responsible for the accumulation of fluid behind the eardrum. This situation can lead to earache, redness, and swelling.
Let’s have a look at the safety precautions to prevent fluid build-up in the ear.
Safety Regarding Fluid Build Up in the Ear
There are some safety precautions regarding fluid build up in the ear of children and adults. The following are few among those:
- Avoid Using Tools: There is some tool available in the market for removing earwax and unclogging ears. But they are unsafe and can lead to hearing loss.
- Avoid Ear Candle: There is a hollow candle available in the market, that can be inserted into the ear. It easily sucks and pulls out the earwax. But it is not safe to use as it can harm your ear. People have been injured and burned while using ear candles.
- Do not Use Bobby Pins: Try to avoid bobby pins and cotton swabs to clean your ear. The reason is that these tools push the earwax further into the ear but it introduces new bacteria, dust, and dirt. Most importantly, these tools can cut your ear canal. This can lead to severe infection or damage to the eardrum, the bones of the middle ear.
You can get rid of this kind of ear infection, fluid builds up in the ear by applying some simple home remedies. It is not necessary to take antibiotics always until it becomes serious. If you feel, your ear infection is severe, then you need to see a doctor immediately. The following are the simple and natural home remedies to get rid of fluid in the ear. Let’s have a look.
11 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fluid Build Up in Your Ear
Warm Oil in Your Rescue
This remedy generally works well. You can use garlic, tea tree or olive oil. Garlic has anti-bacterial properties, so it will be helpful. If you have no hole in the eardrum, you can try this remedy. The oil should not be piping hot. If there is no swollen eardrum, then this remedy will not cause any harm.
Use a Warm Compress
You can try a warm compress in this situation. At first, hold a washcloth with the warm compress. And then hold it under warm water and mot importantly squeeze it to release the extra water. Lay it over your infected ear for 15-20 minutes. This procedure also. If you do not have any warm compress, then you can use a warm water bottle instead of that compress.
The Solution of Equal Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar
This liquid solution can bring out the earwax or fluid from your infected ear. It will prevent repeat infections also. This solution is capable of preventing the bacteria from spreading in the ear and getting rid of fluid.
Here Onion is more than just a Vegetable
Onion plays the role of medicine here. Onion can cure earache. There is a flavonoid called quercetin in onion, which has anti-inflammatory properties. You need to heat an onion at 450 degrees for around 15 minutes. Cut it in half when cool, and squeeze the juice. Put past his Janice into your infected ear.
Try to Sleep Upright
You can try to sleep or rest by sitting up rather than lying down. As this can encourage fluid in your ear to drain. This method can ease your ear pain. Try to prop yourself in bed with a stack of pillows. You can sleep in an armchair also.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar will help you in this situation. This kind of vinegar has antimicrobial properties in it, and it helps to kill the infection-causing microbes in your ear. It also prevents further fluid build-up. You have to just mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Soak a cotton ball into this and insert it into your infected ear. Then lie down and let the cotton to soak up the fluid for a few minutes. You can dry your ear with a hairdryer after this.
The Usefulness of Gravity
For this method, you need only warm water and a dropper. Gravitational force is capable of pulling out the fluid from your ear. Squirt a few drops of warm water inside your ear canal with the dropper. Tilt your head for few minutes to let the water and the fluid run out.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is another amazing medicine for your ear infection. It has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. It is capable of killing the infection-causing pathogens inside your ear. Pour a few drops of neem oil in your infected ear and cover your ear with a cotton ball. Lie down for few minutes before removing it.
Basil Leaves at Your Service
Basil leaves are known to be used as an ayurvedic medicine to treat infection and pain. You have to crush 10-15 basil leaves and strain them to get the basil juice. Pour a few drops of this juice in your infected ear and let it rest for a few minutes.
Hydrogen Peroxide Eardrop
This solution can help in stopping the fluid build up in the ear. You can find this hydrogen peroxide eardrop online or in any medicine store. But you should not use this if you have any outer ear infection or perforated eardrums.
Inhalation of Steam
It is a very common method to treat the fluid build up in the ear. The steam helps to unclog the congestion in your infected ear. It also loosens the mucus. For this method, you need to boil some water. Add Vicks Vaporub or any herbal flower to the boiling water. And then cover your head and inhale the steam.
Prevention of Fluid Build Up in Your Ear
The following guidelines may help you to prevent the fluid build up in the ear regarding some ear infection. Let’s have a look.
- Stay away from Smoke: Smoke and secondhand smoke generally irritate the eustachian tube of your ear. If you have an n infection, you should avoid the smokey area and stay away from cigarette smoke. Smoke increases the fluid build up in the ear and worsens the condition of your infection.
- Wash Hands Regularly: By washing your hands daily, you can avoid bacteria and viruses. You can keep your body healthy and stay away from such infections.
- Don’t Use Cotton Swabs: Putting some object into your ear canal can damage the sensitive structures of your ear. It can create any injury if you have any ear infection. Most importantly it increases the chance of pushing earwax further into the ear canal. So you should avoid using cotton swabs and Q-tips.
- Avoid Cold and Flu: Such fluid builds up in-ear often occurs after a cold. Bacteria in the fluid and create ear infection. So try not to fall sick very often. You should also be flu-vaccinated. It is best to rest when you get a cold.
- Other Prevention: You should take antihistamines if you have allergies. Drink water, chew bubble gum, suck any kind of sweet when you’re flying.
Here are some prevention tips, but if your condition gets worse, you should contact a doctor immediately. Here we will know when you should see a doctor regarding your ear infection.
When to See a Doctor?
If you notice symptoms of the fluid build up in your ear, you can wait for one or two days before visit a doctor. As sometimes such infection resolves on their own within few days. But if the pain increases and you are running a fever also due to this, you should contact the doctor immediately. If the fluid builds up increases and is draining from your ear, you are experiencing trouble while hearing, you should seek medical attention. People should see their doctors if they are experiencing any of the following:
- severe pain in the ear
- high fever
- swelling inside the ear
- having trouble hearing,
- blood, clear fluid from the ear
- symptoms more than 2 months
Fluid builds up inside the ear can because of many reasons. It can be a sign of something more serious if the symptoms stay for more than 1-2 months. So after a point of time, people should immediately contact a doctor.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2346543/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279378/
www.entnet.org
