How To Treat Your Ear Infection From Home

Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD

Ear infections can be irritating and painful. Besides ear pain, they can also cause a feeling of fullness or fluid drainage in the affected ear. The infection typically develops after a respiratory illness like a cold or the flu and is more likely to affect children than adults.

While some ear infections might require antibiotics, many can get better on their own. In fact, around 60% of children with a middle ear infection (otitis media)—the most common type of ear infection—recover in around 24 hours. About 80% of ear infections in children recover on their own in around three days.

Regardless of whether you or your child is taking antibiotics or waiting to see if the infection heals on its own, there are several home remedies for an ear infection that can provide symptom relief in the meantime.

Apply Heat

A hallmark symptom of an ear infection is ear pain—medically known as otalgia. An infant or young child might not be able to verbalize that their ear is hurting. Instead, you might notice them acting irritable, being inconsolable as they cry, spiking a fever, having trouble sleeping, or tugging on their ear.

In general, heat is an easy, cost-effective way to relieve that pain. There are a few easy ways to use heat to help with pain from an ear infection. You can:

• Soak a wash cloth in warm water, wring it out, and press it against the ear.

• Hold a warm water bottle to your ear.

• Press a heating pad against the ear.

With any of these techniques, make sure the compresses aren't too hot.

Use Over-the-Counter Pain Medicine

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication can help reduce not only ear pain, but also fever that the infection might be causing.

Children older than 6 months and adults can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). If ear pain is severe and doesn't respond to either type of OTC, ask your healthcare provider about trying a combination of the two.

Children younger than 6 months should only be given acetaminophen. Do not give aspirin to children of any age, as there's a rare chance it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition that can damage the liver and brain.

Administer Ear Drops

Along with OTC oral pain relievers, you can find OTC pain-relieving ear drops. When choosing a product, look for drops that include the ingredients lidocaine or antipyrine and benzocaine otic.

Products that have a combination of antipyrine and benzocaine otic can also reduce swelling. The liquid drops are usually given every one to two hours.

There's some evidence that certain naturopathic herbal ear drops can be helpful in treating ear pain, too, though the research is older.

Get Plenty of Rest

Like with many illnesses, rest can help the recovery process. Making sure you or your child is getting enough sleep will ensure the immune system has the strength it needs to fight off an ear infection.

Research shows a strong link between sleep and immune function. During sleep, you create more cytokines, which are hormones that help the immune system fight various infections, like ear infections. Without the proper amount of sleep, you might not have enough of the hormones to most effectively fight the infection.

Using an OTC pain reliever can help relieve any ear pain that might be making it difficult for your child to fall or stay asleep.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking extra water or other fluids can help you feel better if you have an ear infection. Besides water, good drink choices include plain coffee or tea, sparkling or flavored waters, milk or milk alternatives, or 100% vegetable juice.

Some ear infection symptoms, like fever, can cause you to lose water, so replenishing the lost water so that you avoid dehydration is key.

What to Avoid

You should steer clear of decongestants and antihistamines when trying to treat and ear infection.

There's no research supporting the medications' use in relieving or treating ear infections. Cough and cold medicines—which usually include a decongestant or antihistamine—don't appear to treat or reduce complications of ear infections in children.

Clinical guidelines even discourage healthcare providers from recommending decongestants and antihistamines to their patients.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Any child who is younger than 6 months who has a fever or symptoms of an ear infection should be taken to a healthcare provider. Anyone this young with an ear infection gets treated with antibiotics, so they need to see a provider for evaluation and to receive a prescription for the medication.

If your child is older, your healthcare provider may recommend a watchful waiting approach. Instead of using antibiotics, they will see if the infection goes away on its own. But if your child's ear infection symptoms are worsening or the symptoms are lasting longer than two or three days, it's a good idea to call a healthcare provider.

You should also see a healthcare provider if they're experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Pus or other fluid coming from their ear

• A fever of 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit or higher

• Loss of hearing in the affected ear

The provider can look at the inside of the ear for any abnormalities. At this point, they may prescribe antibiotics for treatment.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics, it's important they finish the entire prescription. While the ear infection might get better quickly, not taking the full course of antibiotics can increase the risk of it coming back.

A Quick Review

Ear infections can be incredibly uncomfortable. Luckily, there are several home remedies for ear infections you can use to relieve symptoms like pain, swelling, and fever. Warm compresses, as well as over-the-counter pain medication and ear drops can all help alleviate ear pain. Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated can help the healing process, too.

If symptoms don't go away within two or three days or get worse before that, you should contact a healthcare provider. At-home remedies alone might not be enough, and you may be prescribed antibiotics. Children under 6 months should always be taken to a healthcare for antibiotics. Regardless of whether you are given antibiotics, home remedies can help make you feel better as you wait for the infection to clear.

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