Earache
can be a very painful condition. It occurs frequently in small children, who
are often too young to understand or convey to their parents why they are
crying, except, perhaps, to pull at their ears or to scratch their faces.
Tugging at the ear is a symptom of an
outer-ear infection, also known as Swimmer’s Ear or Otitis Externa. In an
outer-ear (Otitis Externa) infection, the skin that covers the outer-ear canal
becomes inflamed, discharging mucus and causing scaling, crusting, swelling and
redness that can be seen when looking into the ear canal. In some cases, inner-
and outer-ear infections occur simultaneously.
In the later stages of an inner-ear
(Otitis Media) infection, pus in the middle ear builds up pressure (which is
very painful) and eventually breaks through the eardrum. Once this happens, the
pain disappears. This rupture is a normal course of events in ear infections
and is not a cause for concern - unless the discharge continues and prevents
the eardrum from healing properly. Infections can sometimes spread to the inner
ear, which is a cause for concern due to its nearness to the brain. Treatment
of ear infections therefore needs to be fast and effective.
Mild symptoms often signal a blocked
Eustachian tube and not an infection.
Causes of outer-ear infections:
An object stuck in the ear;
A boil in the ear canal;
Scratching or fiddling with the ear,
which often happens when children have a skin irritation such as eczema in or
around the ears.
Chlorine in swimming pools can irritate
the skin of children who swim frequently and who do not dry their ears
properly.
Treatment: If there is a discharge from the ear,
professional advice should be sought, as it may mean a perforated
eardrum and a middle-ear infection.
First look for signs of irritation or
infection or any foreign object. If there is something in the ear which is
easily removed, do so, but don’t poke anything into the ear - not even a cotton
bud.
Check from enlarged glands or tonsils to
see if the earache is caused by another infection.
Drop some warm olive oil with a few drops
of essential oil (two drops to a teaspoon of oil) into the ear canal before bed
and plug gently with a little cotton wool. Use Camomile or Lavender essential
oil. Be sure that the ear is not
perforated before putting anything in the ear. Also don’t use essential
oils on their own or use more than two drops in your teaspoon of olive oil.
Middle-ear
infections: If you suspect that your child has a
middle-ear infection, consult your GP as this is a potentially serious
condition.
Homeopathy offers an excellent alternative
for the treatment of ear infections since it acts quickly and supports the body
in its healing process.
Belladonna is excellent for throbbing
pains and fever with flushed and hot face.
Aconite is suitable when pains are sharp,
especially after exposure to cold or wind.
Camomile is useful for children with one
cheek red, the other pale and they are very irritable and angry.
Pulsatilla is good for infections which
begin gradually and appear mild, often in addition to an existing cold.
Herbal remedies which will help include
Plantain Juice, which will ease the infection, especially with Echinacea and
Garlic. To draw heat from the ear area, take hot foot baths with some mustard
mixed in.
Place a hot onion or garlic poultice on
the back of the neck to relieve earache.
Recurring ear infections (particularly in
children) are linked to poor immune systems and weakened resistance, due to
poor nutrition and allergies to certain foods. Good nutrition for children and
adults must focus on wholesome, nutritious meals that contain fruits and
vegetables. Milk and dairy products often increase mucus production, which
interferes with the healing of an ear infection. Cut out sugar also while an
infection is present since it will weaken the immune response.
David Foley
MNIMH,MRCHM, Medical Herbalitst
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