Children are most often victims of ear aches. Parents might feel at their wit’s end when a suffering child is unable to sleep because of ear aches.The safest treatment for a small child is gentle heat applied to the ear. A hot water bottle can be used as a pillow for a small child. The bottle should be wrapped in a soft cloth or towel. Heating pads are not recommended for children unless there is constant adult supervision. Heating pads should not be used to lie upon and should not be used for more than twenty minutes.
If you do not have a hot water bottle, use a small towel wetted and wrung out almost dry. Put the towel in a plastic food storage bag and heat in the microwave for 20 seconds. Check to make sure there are no hot spots and that the temperature is comfortable and use as a compress for ear aches.
Infants often get ear aches. One cause for this is feeding a bottle to the baby when he/she is lying down. Raise the infant’s head during feeding and do not let an infant hold his/her own bottle.
Prevention of ear aches is sometimes easier than a cure. Since ear aches can result from a cold, use common sense to prevent colds and respiratory infections. Wash hands well and often. Limit exposure to anyone who has a cold or flu. Teach older children not to share food or drinks with other children. Don’t allow children to be around second-hand cigarette smoke. During flu and cold season, it may be wise to keep children out of day care when possible.
Swimmer’s ear or outer ear infections are also common causes of ear aches in children.
Make sure the pools the children use are treated with the proper chemicals. Swimming in lakes and ponds carries a risk of infection. Check on water safety before children swim.
Protect children’s ears with a few drops of mineral oil in each ear before they swim. This may prevent ear aches later on.
Swimmer’s ear can be healed with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and rubbing alcohol dropped into the ear and left for a few minutes a few times a day until the infection clears up.
Do not insert anything into a child’s ear to clean it, not even a cotton swab, as this can damage the delicate skin and allow an infection to start. Only the outer ear should be cleaned and dried gently with a soft towel.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.