Children suffer from ear infections caused due to viruses or bacteria. These infections are more common among children than adults. The reasons for this infection includes a build-up of wax, infections of the trachea, environmental and food allergies, genetics, alcohol syndrome, internal injuries and nutritional deficiencies.

You know that your child has an ear infection when you see him tugging at his ear, screaming and crying with pain, sleeping poorly, suffering a headache, vomiting, diarrhea and burning with fever.

Treatment

Doctors usually treat ear infections in children with antibiotics, such as Augmenting and Amoxicillin, or anesthetic ear drops. However, there are equally effective home remedies that are safe and doctor-approved too. Here are some of them:

Read More: Ear infection for kids: Symptoms and Causes

Home Remedies to Treat Ear Infection in Kids

Antibiotics aren’t the only way of treating children with ear infections. They are all in your kitchen, just check them out:

Olive oil

Though there isn’t any scientific proof that olive oil works for ear infections, yet a few drops of this warmed oil in the ear canal can soothe the infection. It’s safe and effective too. Ensure it’s not too warm as this could damage the eardrum.

Tea tree oil

The antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil render it the right choice to treat ear infection in kids. When ear drops are applied in the child’s ear, it can lower pain and discomfort. For better results, a mix of tea tree oil and olive oil can be mixed.

Cod liver oil

Cod liver oil is rich in Vitamin A which helps get rid of ear infection and illnesses in kids, so it works for ear infection too.

Elderberry syrup

Elderberry fruit has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to these properties, their recovery is expedited. Children also love its delicious taste.

Ginger

Being anti-inflammatory in nature, ginger can take away the pain associated with earaches. Extract ginger juice and apply it to the child’s outer ear canal. Take care not to pour it directly into his ear.

Read More: Health Benefits of Ginger for Babies

Garlic

Garlic is an effective antibiotic and excellent for pain relief. For best results, crush garlic and soak it for a few minutes in warm sesame or olive oil. Strain the liquid and apply it to your child’s ear canal.

Read More: Is garlic healthy for my toddler?

Apple cider vinegar

The acidic taste and content of this vinegar gives it intrinsic healing properties. Two of these properties refer to its antifungal and antibacterial nature. Apple cider vinegar fights extreme yeast infection and fungus that could cause ear infection.

Apple cider vinegar for a child’s ear infection can be used in this way: Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal quantities. Soak a cotton ball in the resulting solution and then place it in the child’s affected ear. Keep it there for a few minutes. Take off the cotton ball and let your child lie down so that any leftover vinegar can be drained from the ear. Use a hair dryer to dry your child’s ear.

Probiotics

One cause of ear inflammation is the sensitivity to food, which can be overcome by eating probiotics.

Naturopathic drops

Herbal extracts are used to make these ear drops. The base of these drops is olive oil and are usually more effective than store-bought ear drops in providing pain relief to children. These ear drops contain allium sativum, verbascum Thapsus, calendula flores, hypericum perfoliatum, lavender and vitamin E in olive oil which jointly provide pain relief.

Essential oils

Using these oils, massage the external ear of your child, along with his face, neck and jaw for better blood circulation and improved normal drainage. Massage from top to bottom behind his ear, on the neck, applying gentle pressure opposite the ear and near the cheek. A choice of essential oils for this purpose include lavender, rosemary, tea tree, oregano, thyme, chamomile and eucalyptus.

Chiropractic treatment

By doing a session with a chiropractor, your child’s earache can become a thing of the past.

Hydrogen peroxide

A good natural remedy for earaches, hydrogen peroxide can be used in this manner: Place a few drops of the peroxide into your child’s affected ear. Let it sit for several minutes before letting it drain into a sink. Rinse your ear with clean, distilled water.

Read More: 6 Safety Tips Before Piercing your Baby’s Ears

Conclusion

Use any of the above-outlined home remedies to bring pain relief to your child quickly and effectively.

References:

http://www.healthline.com/health/12-effective-earache-remedies#distraction13

https://wellnessmama.com/36494/natural-ear-infection-remedies/