Home Remedies for Fluid in Middle Ear
Our ears are exposed to water, every time we bathe, take a shower and go swimming. Naturally, some amount of water enters our ears daily. Subsequently, any fluid that enters our ears just drains out again. However, at times, the fluid can get trapped within the ear. Fluid in the ear normally occurs due to an ear infection or under any condition, where the auditory tube (Eustachian tube) is impaired. The auditory tube is what allows the fluid to pass from the ear to the back of the throat, and therefore, if the auditory tube is blocked, the fluid will get trapped in the middle ear (the space just behind the eardrum).
This can cause temporary loss in hearing or mild discomfort or even severe pain, as the fluid pushes against the eardrum. This ailment is also know as – Serous Otitis Media (SOM) or Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). Fortunately, SOM is not contagious.
Serous Otitis Media Symptoms:
- Itching and pain in the infected ear
- Loss of hearing
- Running a fever
- Throwing up
- Discharge of pus from the infected ear
- Feeling dizzy (sometimes)
Serous Otitis Media Treatment: There are many ways that you can find relief from this condition. You could take an antibiotic or a decongestant prescribed by your doctor, which clears up infection and the build-up of fluid. Alternately, you could try a medicine that contains cortisone. This will specially help people who have a regular sinus problem. You could also ease the discomfort and drain the fluid in your ears, by trying the following remedies for serous otitis media treatment at home:
- Pour just a few drops of extracted garlic-juice, or garlic oil into the infected ear, which helps reliving the pain.
- Use colloidal silver, a natural antibiotic, to wash and clean your ears.
- Lie down, on your side, placing the infected ear on a dry pillow. After a short while, the fluid will probably drain out, due to the force of gravity.
- Dry up the excess water in the Eustachian tube, by using a blow dryer, place about 12 to 15 inches away from the ear.
- Put 1 – 2 drops of olive oil into the infected ear, which will reduce the irritation.
- Pour a few drops of Lobelia extract into the infected ear. Then, rub the ear gently.
Before you decide to go in for any treatments or surgery for SOM, you should consider just waiting it out. Most people found that this was absolutely fine, as the fluid would drain out eventually, through the Eustachian tube.