If your ears are burning, at least according to common mythology, then someone is speaking of ill of you. On the other hand, if you have an earache you won’t care what people are saying. You will simply want to relieve the pain and headache that are causing you great aggravation and sleepless nights.
Ear pain occurs due to a variety of causes ranging from the minor to the major. One of the prevalent sources of an ear pain is called swimmer’s ear, which takes place when you swim in a public pool and fail to wear earplugs. The irritation and ensuing pain are not caused by chlorine and chemicals, but rather by bacteria in the pool’s water. The more public the pool, the greater the chances of contracting swimmer’s ear.
A head cold can also lead to ear pain, due to the interconnectivity of the ear, nose, and throat. Any sort of damage to the mouth can inflame nerves that will react within the ear. More serious are inner ear infections, middle ear infections, or a burst eardrum. Any of these three ailments should be treated by a physician.
Children are far more susceptible to earaches than adults, and a child suffering from ear pain will likely be very awake and very loud for an entire night. The earache of a child will also lead to headaches in adults, as in most cases they will go without sleep until the malady has been cured. Earaches in children often are related to tonsillitis and sinus infections.
Luckily, there are many ways to relieve ear pain. All of these are valid and safe; however, if pus or liquid is leaking from the ear you should see a doctor immediately. The likely cause is a burst eardrum or a serious infection, and a qualified physician will need to provide treatment and prescribe antibiotics.
In less serious cases, placing a warm compress on the ear is a good start to relieving the pain. Also, you should lie down with the painful ear facing up. As an accompany headache is nearly unavoidable, take painkillers or anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, Tylenol®, or ibuprofen.
Antiseptic eardrops are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies, but should none be available, a home remedy is often just as effective. A combination of garlic juice and warm olive oil can be mixed together and a few drops placed in the offending ear. Make certain the mixture is lukewarm and not hot, or serious damage could take place. The only downside to this elixir is that your ear will smell like an Italian restaurant for a day or so.