Otitis is the medical term of an ear infection. It is widespread in children but can happen to adults too. Some diluted essential oils prove beneficial in treating an ear infection.
When you experience symptoms of pain in your ear or discomfort, the first step should be to visit a doctor to rule out all dangerous possibilities. However, some not-so-serious infections can easily be treated by using olive oil for earache.
Olive oil helps loosen the wax in ears and eases ear pain. As such, in ancient times, olive oil was used to treat ear infection and clear ear wax.
Facts You Must Know
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Why Should You Use Olive Oil for Ear Pain?
Before you try any home remedy for an ear infection, it is essential to note the cause behind the ear pain. Ear pain can be caused by an ear injury or an ear infection. It is not necessary that the pain affects both ears at the same time. People have been using olive oil to clear ear wax for ages. Now, the question to be asked is what ear wax is.
Although ear wax can make you feel disgusting, it doesn’t have anything to do with hygiene levels. If you have an ear infection applying a few drops of warm olive oil can be very comforting. Olive oil softens the ear wax that is hardened and helps to remove it from the ear canal naturally.
Olive oil is natural oil and has no side effects on your ear. It can work at a slower pace, which is why you need to repeat the process of cleaning your ear with olive oil(1) regularly.
[Also Read: Home Remedies to Relieve Ear Pain]
Effective Ways to Use Olive Oil for Ear Pain
1. Olive oil Drops
If you are experiencing ear pain due to an ear infection, try this.
Drop a few drops of warm olive oil in your ear.
Make sure you put a few drops at the back of your palm to check the temperature of olive oil.
2. Cotton Buds
You can also use a cotton bud(2) to use olive oil for ear pain.
Take a cotton bud and dip it in olive oil. Put the cotton bud outside the ear while tilting your head on the opposite side. Let the oil enter the ear gently and make its way to the ear canal.
Never put anything directly inside the ear.
[ Read: How to Relieve Ear Pain with the Help of Natural Remedies ]
3. Posture while applying olive oil
Lie down, with the face-up. Pull your ear to open the ear canal and pour 2-3 drops of oil in the opening of your ear. Massage gently to allow the oil to enter your ear. Continue lying down for 10 minutes and wipe out extra oil that comes out when you sit up.
4. Dropper for olive oil
Another way to use olive oil for ear pain is to take an eyedropper and pour a few drops into the ear. You must ensure that you never put the eyedropper inside the ear canal. Massage the skin near your jaw to allow the olive oil to enter your ear properly. The olive oil makes its way to the ear wax, softens it and makes it easy to remove.
[Also Read: Top 5 Amazing Essential Oils for Ear Pain]
Precautions to Follow
- If you have a ruptured eardrum, you shouldn’t be trying this out.
- If you are using warm olive oil for ear pain, always remember to test it at the back of your palm. The oil should never be hot; it must be warm.
- Whenever you use cotton or eyedrop to put olive oil in your ears, you must do it in a lying down position.
- Don’t go overboard by exceeding the dosage of olive oil. Excess of olive oil in ears can cause symptoms of dizziness, itching, and can further aggravate the ear infection.
- If you are allergic to olives, this isn’t for you.
- A patch test is mandatory before using olive oil for ear pain.
If you have a nagging ear pain that refuses to go, home remedies might not be the best option for you. You must see a doctor immediately.
It must be noted that this is definitely to be tried on babies and children.
Olive oil for ear pain is a very safe way to treat ear infections, but only after a diagnosis has been made by your doctor to rule out the cause of such pain.
FAQ
1. Does Olive Oil Dissolve Ear Wax?
Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it does not and blocks your ear, you can put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear twice a day for a couple of days.
