Otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear in both humans and other animals. There are three types of Otitis:
1. Externa Otitis
This is also called “Swimmer’s ear”. The protective film on the top of the ear canal or lipid layer is removed. This canal looks ruddy and swollen. Such a condition arises when water, dirt, sand or some debris enters the ear canal. Malignant external otitis may form when bacteria attack the bones in the ear canal and spread to the base of the skull.
2 – Otitis media or Middle Ear Infection
The middle ear lies behind the eardrum and is a small cavity of air. Infections that lead to sore throats, colds or breathing problems spread to the middle ear and cause Otitis media. When bacteria or viruses enter the middle ear, the area is filled with fluid containing germ fighting cells. The feeling is that the ear is a balloon about to pop and this hurts. This infection generally occurs in childhood.
3 – Otitis interna or Labyrinthitis
This affects the inner ear. This part of the ear has sense organs for hearing and balance. These organs are inflamed and the person feels as if the room is spinning.
Ear infection symptoms can vary. If a child has an ear infection, some of the symptoms are: fluid drains from the ear, fever, headache, failure to respond to sounds, trouble sleeping and pulling of the ears. In case of swimmer’s ear, the symptoms of ear infection are: sensation of fullness in the ear, itching, pain, moderate to severe pain, discharge and hearing loss.
Symptoms of middle ear infection are: coughing, irritability, loss of appetite, pain or discomfort in the ear, vomiting, nasal congestion, sleeplessness and fever. For Labyrinthitis, the symptoms are: severe whirling nausea and vomiting.
Natural Treatments of Ear Infection
For swimmer’s ear, the following home remedies would prove useful:
Home Remedy #1: If the infection is mild, a simple home remedy is to avoid swimming and hair washing. This can be one of the natural cures for ear infection.
Home Remedy #2: Topical solutions containing antibacterial or antifungal antibiotics supplements acidify the ear and suppress bacterial growth
Home Remedy #3: If there is severe soft tissue swelling, then oral anti-pseudomonal antibiotics supplements are prescribed
Home Remedy #4: Another home remedy for ear infection are drops containing anti-inflammatory steroids enable to minimize swelling and itching.
Home Remedy #5: Removing debris like wax, pus and shed skin from the ear canal causes direct contact of the medication with the infected skin and hastens in the natural healing of ear infection
For children having middle ear infection, the home remedies are as follows:
Antibiotics supplements like Amoxicillin, Septra, Ceclor, Bactrim, Augmentin, Pediazole and Suprax will result in improvement in forty-eight to seventy-two hours. However, these antibiotics supplements must be taken till the entire infection has disappeared.
Analgesics supplements like Acetaminophen assuage the pain and fever. Sinus or nasal congestion can be overcome by an antihistamine and/or a decongestant drug supplements.
Some other natural home remedies for ear infection are:
Zinc health supplements. Increasing intake of natural foods rich in zinc health supplements help to reduce ear infections.
Increasing C health vitamins intake is also a good home remedy for ear infection as it props up the immune system for tackling infection. Also a good ear infection home remedy is arranging a healthy diet with large amount of calcium nutritional supplements.
Before the advent of antibiotics supplements as ear infection home remedies, the following natural home remedies for ear infection were recommended:
Home Remedy #6: Pressing a warm water bottle or warm bag of salt natural products against the ear is a good ear infection natural home remedy.
Home Remedy #7: Drops of natural products like tea tree oil that has mild anti-bacterial properties is a good ear infection home remedy but precautions with this natural home remedy should be taken as it could irritate the skin.
Home Remedy #8: Otikon, which is made of garlic health food or St. John’s wort, is an anaesthetic which is also a recommended natural home remedy for infection.
Home Remedy #9: Herbal remedies such as goldenseal and echinacea are good home remedies as they cleanse the body.
Home Remedy #10: Natural products such as essential oils like ginger, peppermint and eucalyptus are mixed with hot steaming water in a bowl. A towel held over the head and the steam inhaled is a good home remedy for ear infection.
Recommended Supplements to Take
The following supplements are know to aid in the fight against Ear Infection. Keep in mind that not every nutrient or supplement you swallow is absorbed by your body! Please read carefully the tab on the top of this page called HEALTH RESOURCES! It will explain to you why it is important to take the right supplements and nutrients. Our recommendations below we feel will give you the best possible nutrients and supplements on the market!
Essential Nutrients and Herbs to Take:
Please check with your doctor before taking any supplements, and also read the warning labels on each product, especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In addition, read the labels carefully when giving your child any natural supplement, to ensure that it is safe to give a child.
