General Tips Ear Care
- If one has an ear infection or using ear drops, avoid washing your hair/swimming for a few days (if shampoo and water gets into ear it may cause further infections)
- Do not use cotton buds to remove ear wax.
- Clean surrounding ear with a clean cloth or a piece of gauze in warm water.
- One can decrease earache by placing something warm on ear i.e. cloth on radiator or cold compress (do not use if one has a rash and/or is sensitive to temperature change or apply heat on a hot ear).
Do not use if one has a rash or is sensitive to temperature change or heat on a hot ear.
- Use a dummy if a child has ear pain; it promotes the movement of jaw and helps to ease ear pain.
- An adult can suck on boil sweets or chew on chewing gum (if given to child be careful child does not choke on sweets and gum).
- If one has ear pain one can apply heat gels/packs/ hot water bottle/ hot towel if suitable. Person who have sensitivity to temperature (i.e increase risk of burns) should use in caution examples include:
- If baby is breast fed check breast fed technique.
- Be aware if you are having repeated ear infection it could be ‘glue ear’ (especially in children), one must see your medical doctor urgently.
- If your medical doctor prescribes one antibiotics or anti-fungal ear drops and pain still occurs after 5-7 days of treatment, please see your medical doctor.
- If on a plane, such or chew on sweets, yawn or gulp as plane descends.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Rest and avoid strenuous activity. When sleeping, raising your pillows to stay in an upright position will help the ear to drain its fluids.
- Make sure there is plenty of air circulation (open windows, cut down on central heating, and make sure the room temperature is comfortable).
- Avoid areas of smoking. Particles can get into ear and cause infection and/or inflammation in the ear which can lead to hearing loss.
- Cut down on smoking
- Do not take decongestants to ease earache or help ear infection. Decongestant should only be used to ease nasal congestion and sinus congestion.
Swimming Tips
- Avoid swimming in polluted water
- Use a swimming cap.
- Use well fitted ear plugs.
- Use disposable ear plugs or if repeatedly using ear plugs make sure it is cleaned and dried properly to avoid contamination or use cotton swabs with petroleum jelly, do not push in ear canal, just cover the ear.
- Make sure ear phones are well fitted; otherwise one can get ear infection. It is Important to wear small headphones that do not cover the whole area.
Natural treatments and tips (DR Axe)
