I haven't had an earache since I was a kid. I had one last week, very faint, took my allergy meds and it seems fine. The past two days however it feels like and sounds like fluid in my ears. I don't want to rush to the Dr, no fever, no ear pain anymore and it is just annoying more then anything. It has a feeling of being full of fluid. Any suggestions how to do something about it? I am sure with the cold on and off here and the wind that could be a issue. UGH! Is there something I can help draw out the fluid?
Thanks all! I remembered when I read Jennifers post about peroxide I had done this before with my kids. It worked wonders. I didn't feel a pop or fluid drain out but think it dried up the fluid in there. It still feels like there is a bit of something in there but may be due to my allergies and not taking my allergy meds like I should have.
Thank you all for the suggestions! I also need to go get some of those drops.
My husband actually had an ear infection a few years ago, we were babysitting a cat for a few months and he was allergic which caused the congestion that led to the ear infection. So if you have allergies it could be an ear infection, it can happen to adults! If it is not an infection there are some over the counter drops to get, or rubbing alcohol might work. Good luck!
I like using ear candles. You can get them from a natural food market like Whole Foods or Vitamin Cottage. I haven't figured out a way to use them by myself, so you will need someone to help you, but they work great. Good Luck!
Having been through a load of ear issues myself and dealing with them with my 13 month old son, I have a couple suggstions. First, take some ibuprophen. It reduces swelling which should open your eustacian tubes and let the fluid drain naturally. Secondly, go see a chiropractor as suggested in a few of the posts you already have. It works wonders! The heat on the ear does help as well, but not nearly as well as the other two things I suggested.
Also, if you have allergies, a chiropractor can help with that as well, but I personally had great success with accupuncture for mine. I am now allergy symptom free where I used to have to take drugs every night just to sleep and during grass season in the summer.
Put peroxide in your ears until it doesn't bubble anymore. Put Vitamin E capsule in ear overnight and it should be better by third day, if repeat every night or more often if you need to. I also know that chiropractic care works.
Try taking a decongestant. I recommed sudafed (the real stuff you have to get from the pharmacy counter) because it works the best. Way back in our throat, our mouth, nose, and ears share the eustacian (sp?) tubes, and congestion in the sinuses can get to the ears and cause them to ache. Take sudafed for a few days and see if it helps!
I have many, many, many times in my life gotten "stuffed up ears". Just cause you have fluid in your ears doesn't mean you have an infection. If you have a cold and swollen glands it's possible that the eustachian (sp) tube that goes from your ear to the back of your throat could be partially blocked, thus preventing easy drainage. The simplest method I've found is to drink lots and lots of water. This helps thin out the mucus and allows easier drainage through a possibly constricted tube. Good luck.
D.,
I'm just getting over an ear infection. I haven't had one since grade school... Anyway, I had similar symptoms to you and waited a whole month before going to the Dr. I never had pain, just annoying itching/fullness/discomfort type stuff (and not every day). After two rounds of antibiotics, I'm finally infection free. However, I still have discomfort. If the discomfort continues for another two weeks, I'll find myself in an ENT's office... That's my story.
Take DECONGESTANTS. I took sudafed daily (and over night until sleeping became an issue). You might try taking them consistently (at least while you are awake) to see if that helps. I used 12 hour Sudafed (so you just take it once in the morning).
Another option is doing those nasal washes (I haven't tried it yet because you aren't supposed to use it with an infection, so I'll be trying it soon since I know I'm infection free now).
Good Luck with your decision and getting discomfort free.
If it is an Ear Infection chances are it will heal on its own. As long as you do not get dizzy or hurting really bad I would not worry about it.
You can buy some ear drops over the counter that help with pain, Its called "Auro" just incase it starts hurting again.
I don't know about helping it "dry" out. Sorry.
Try laying on a heating pad on the side that is bothering you. My pediatrician recommended that for my daughter. if it doesn't go away in a few days I'd go to the doctor. If the infection gets worse, it can be extremely painful, they are more severe for adults.
Here is a late reply but from my experience i go to the chiropractor and have them adjust our ears. My daughter had 4 ear infections by the time she was 4 months old and we took her to the chiroprator and she hasn't had one since...she is now 9 years old. He taught me how to adjust my sons ears because we moved away and i wasn't able to find a chiropractor in the area that adjusted ears. My son has never had an infection. Good luck and if you have questions just give me a reply...
L.
I used to get swimmers ear when I was little all the time. It's just water trapped in your ear and can happen in the bath or shower as well as the pool. There are special drops you can get, but you can also just put a few drops of peroxide in your ear.
Most chiropractors can do "ear adjustments" that encourage that lovely ol' fluid to get out! I know my husband does at least. That would be my suggestion.
