| Let's face it, nobody in their right mind likes to deal with ear infections. In their mildest form they are somewhat of an annoyance, at their most severe, however, they are excruciatingly painful. They are always a problem, regardless of when they pop up. And those who suffer from chronic ear infections have it even worse.
As the old saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". The same is true when it comes to home remedies. You can practically eliminate ear infections if you are able to follow a few easy tips. There are several different options you can use at home to minimize the occurrence of ear infections. But it's still a idea to see your doctor, if possible, before resorting to home remedies.
Your doctor can give you a proper diagnosis. One of the more common types of an ear infection is known as swimmers ear (caused by water in the ear). As you may have guessed from the name, this is commonly the result of someone going swimming. There are a few things you can do to help enjoy your day at the beach without having to worry so much about getting an ear infection.
A really simple trick is to apply the air from a hair dryer on your ears after you are done swimming. Be careful that you don't get it too close, and keep it on the lowest heat setting available. You just want to get some warm air flowing to get rid of the extra moisture present in your ear canal. The lack of moisture makes it harder for bacteria to thrive and grow. Some people prefer to wear earplugs when swimming to keep water from getting in, in the first place.
Swimming isn't the only culprit that contributes to ear infections, they can also be caused by clogged ear canals. This frequently happens overnight. Your head is normally in an upright position during the course of the day, allowing your ears to drain properly through the Eustachian tubes; that's not the case while you're sleeping. Here are a couple of ways to alleviate this problem.
Many of the same tricks that people use to "pop" their ears can also be used to keep the ear canals clear. Things as simple as yawning or chewing gum flex the muscles surrounding the ear canal. The expanding and contracting of those muscles helps stimulate the draining of the tubes.
Another easy way to clear the Eustachian tubes is to take a deep breath, then immediately close your mouth. Next, pinch your nostrils closed and try to exhale through your nose. It's a natural way to help keep your ear canal open. If you happen to be more susceptible to ear infections, you may want to try using over-the-counter remedies for ear relief. It may seem like overkill, but they can provide some relief, and can be used at home. You can always ask your doctor what they recommend for you. |