Seeking Home Treatment for Ear Problems

Updated on June 04, 2008
M.G. asks from Erie, PA
13 answers

Hi all,
I got sick over a week ago. When I woke up, I had a headache and it lasted all day. To go along with the headache, my ears were plugged up and my throat hurt, and my nose was a mixture of stuffy and runny. My daughter also has a few of these symptoms. Now that it is over a week later the only problem I have is that my ears are still plugged up. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get them to open and stay open? I've tried warm salt water in the ears, warm salt water up the nose. These were a few ideas given to me by friends. Thank you in advance.

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So What Happened?

Thanks again to all of you that gave me an idea to try. I went with the decongestant and waited for the fluid to drain and now I can hear again. :o)

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J.W.

answers from Washington DC on

My son's pediatrician said to use peroxide in the ears. When you're in the shower, use a dropper full of peroxide in each ear. It'll get out any gunk that might be clogging up the works in there.

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D.R.

answers from York on

I have the same problem, I ended up going to the doctors and she prescribed DECONAMINE 8-120SR, I just started taking them so I dont know if it should do the trick I'll keep u posted...I thought I had a bad ear infection and all she said was its just fluid buildup from my sinuses...

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B.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

sorry i am a year to late but i just recently went thru these symptoms i used peroxide in my ear about 5 times put a cap full keep head tilted or place cotton in the ear to let the peroxide break up the wax after a couple times place the palm of your hand over the ear and press hard you will hear the wax eventally it will all come out.keep cleaning with q tips hope it helps next time

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J.D.

answers from Washington DC on

My mother is an RN. Anytime I complain of ear problems she tells me to take an antihistamine (not a decongestant). That helps relieve the pressure. It does work. That really is a doctor question, though.

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T.S.

answers from Dover on

Ever tried Ear Candling? You can get it done...or do it yourself for about 5 bucks! if you have a natural foods store near you, they probably carry the candles. I did my ears once...and EW!!!! The stuff that comes out is GROSS!!!!!! It did help with the stuffiness I was experiencing tho!

Good luck!

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G.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi M. - My Grandmother's old Sicilian cure for an earache was warm olive oil in the ear...I don't know if it will work for "plugged" ears, but it can't hurt to try at this point. Hope you get some relief soon! Take care, G.

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S.L.

answers from Reading on

I M. HAVE YOU TRIED THE HOT WAX TREATMENT YOU CAN BUY IT AT A DRUG STORE. I HAVE DONE THAT A FEW TIMES AND THAT SEEMS TO REALLY HELP GOOD LUCK STEPH

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L.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

As long as you are NOT breast feeding then any over the counter decongestant will do the trick!! If it lasts more than a few day on a decongestant then call your family physican!! Good luck!

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S.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hydrogen Peroxide.

Pour about a cap in each ear. It will sound like popping corn. Tilt your year to allow the peroxide to run out. Pat dry the outside of the ear. Do not use a cotton swab. Treat other ear the same.

Garggle with 1/8th cup peroxide for as long a you can. Spit, do not swallow. Without toothpaste, brush your teeth then rinse. Do not garggle. And you'll rid your ears, nose and throat of that bug.

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L.S.

answers from Lancaster on

M.,

The I'm in the same boat. Cleared up the ear infection but still have a 'blocked' ear. I'm in the alt med field and here is what has been suggested to me: garlic oil in ear (have to get some haven't tried it yet) chirpractic adjustment (I go tonight) the theory there is that the swelling in the ear can knock those tiny bones out of alignment and when you adjust the spine/head stuff can realign, ear coning/candling, reflexology (that's next on my list if chiro doesn't work), craniosacral therapy, accupuncture, and reiki. Now that I think about it this is not 'home remedies' for most people...Sorry. I do know people who do all this stuff.

UT this stuff is generally safer and less expensive in the long run then seeing an ENT, and having to get a tube put in the ear, which would require anesthesia, and other drugs.
Hope that helps.

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B.

answers from Philadelphia on

M.... Ear Candling is supposed to help. You can buy them in health food stores. If you read up on line about it you should be able to do it yourself or have someone help you, or they do sometimes offer is at salons but it isn't cheap. Good luck.

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S.K.

answers from Lancaster on

If you by chance are nursing I would start with breastmilk. It does wonders for ear/eye infections. I hope you feel better soon!

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B.D.

answers from York on

M. HELLO . I AM A MOTHER OF FOUR BOYS AND I HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT. TAKE A DECONGESTENT. IT WILL DRAIN THE FLUID IN YOUR EARS AND YOU MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE A SORE THROAT FROM YOUR SINUS'S DRAINING. TAKE SOME IBUPROFIN FOR THE PRESSURE IN YOUR HEAD. TAKE A DECONGESTANT FORTHE PLUGGED UP EARS AND THE SAME FOR YOUR DAUGHTER. I HOPE YOU START FEELING BETTER. LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES.
GOOD LUCK!
B.

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