Earache

[tex]

Is there such a thing as a good home remedy for an earache? My right ear has been bothering me for about a week, but it wasn't much of a probem until today. Dunno what caused it. Today, the pain is hard to ignore. I reckon I'll try a couple of tylenol caplets.

It's been a long time since I've had an earache, but in the past, they didn't last but a few days, as a rule.

Ok, that's my "whine" for the day. LOL.

Wayne

[artteacher]

Hi Wayne,

A hot pack helps. It might be that you have a sinus infection, that is manifesting itself by giving you pain in the jaw/ear area. (I guess an ear infection would do that too) This has happened to me before, and taking a decongestant helps, because it reduces the pressure. If it goes on too long, antibiotics . . . (Sudafed is the decongestant I use)

Hope you're better soon, Marsha

[Mars]

My g'ma always said to blow smoke in your ear to reduce the pain of an earache but since you can't do that to yourself - We used warm sweet oil on a cotton ball and stuffed that in also - but remember..........nothing but your elbow goes into your ears! Guess you can't do that to yourself either! Some help I am!

I'd suggest a couple of tylanol and a nap. Hope you feel better real soon - earaches are the pits. If it continues you might want to consider a dr. visit in case it is an infection which could cause loss of hearing.

Love,
Mars

[tex]

Marsha,

I don't have any congestion, so I don't think it's a sinus problem, (besides, I don't tend to have sinus problems). I can "pop" my eustachiann tube valve, so it doesn't seem that there's any pressure buildup in my inner ear, and it's apparently free to drain, if it's inclined to do so. The pain is definitely in my ear, not my jaw, or anywhere else.

Mars,

I see where I went wrong. I took the tylenol, but instead of taking a nap, I've been stacking bags all afernoon. LOL. I like your treatment suggestion better.

I just had an "Aha!" moment. Dairy products are known to cause ear infections in people who are intolerant. I've been testing out dairy products for probably close to two weeks, and the ear problem started about a week after I started eating dairy products again. Yesterday, for example, I had a huge serving of ice cream, and this morning, I ate some rice cereal, doused with plenty of milk.

That's enough testing for me. I'm cutting dairy stuff out again, and I'll bet the ear infecion will be gone in a few days, and I'll also bet that it will stay gone, as long as I stay away from dairy products.

Thanks for the inspiration. I may have to try that smoke trick yet, the tylenol doesn't seem to be doing the job, at least not so far.

Love,
Wayne

[annie oakley]

Tex I keep ear candles in the house. This is going to sound weird but......I get them at health food stores. They look like a long skinny funnel(people at the store will point you in the right direction) what you do with them is this... Cut a whole in a paper plat, not too big, insert ear candle. Lay down (this is best with a helper) and hold the candle as you insert it in the canal...not to far, don't touch the drum. Have someone light the candle. Make sure the candle is as straight as you can get it. You sometimes hear a wind gushing sound (small). As the ear candle burns the helper cuts the burned part off and it falls on the plate (so you don't get burned) Burn and cut until there is about three to four inches left and stop. Cut open what is left and you will see all kinds of garbage that was sucked up into the candle. I have releived alot of my friends ear aches. Of course if it persists or you have a fever....GO TO THE DOC! First. If that's not clear or you want to hear the instructions call me Tex, I'll PM my # if you don't still have it.
I have used ear cleaning kits and hot packs. Love Oma

[celia]

Great detective work Tex! Ear pain is one of my food intolerance symptoms. Not an ache exactly, but a pain. I'm not eating any dairy products now, so I will keep an eye out and see if the ear pain ever recurrs, or if it is indeed connected with dairy. I think you are right about that!

My husband has done ear candles several times, and is overjoyed by the gunk that comes out. It's a little too scary for me having the thing on fire relatively close to my head. But I'm a 'frady cat!

Hope your ear pain dissolves! Be well, Celia

[tex]

Hmmmmmmmmmm. That's very interesting about the ear candles. I had never heard of them. I think I'll wait and see if it improves on it's own, now that the dairy is gone from my diet--not that I'm chicken about having a candle burning in my ear, or anything. LOL.

Thanks for all the information. I don't have any fever, or any other symptoms that I am aware of.

Love,
Wayne

[Momster]

Ecclectic Oil is a very old remedy, but effective. You heat it - careful not to overheat (just nice and warm to the touch), and put a few drops in your ear and then put some cotton from a cotton ball in and leave it overnight.
Be very careful with the candle wax. It is a good remedy, but can be dangerous if not done properly. Best to get it done by someone practiced in applying it properly. Oma - you need to go there and help Tex with it (haha).
I hope the absence of dairy helps, Tex.
Nothing worse than an earache - I get one every time I get a cold or flu.

Feel better - Love - Momster

Too bad about that road system - hope it doesn't affect your farm badly.

[Polly]

Good thinking about the dairy. I mentioned another possibility in your post about the toll road, but the dairy may be the culprit!

Love,

Polly

[tex]

Thanks Everyone,

I had a lot of trouble trying to sleep, and about 3 o'clock this morning, I decided to go see a doctor later this morning, if I could arrange it. Now, though, the ear feels "stuffed up", but the pain is much improved, so I've decided to put the doctor visit on hold, and just see if it keeps improving today.

IOW, maybe I can resolve it the way the U S Congress resolves a lot of issues, by talking about it a lot, until the problem goes away on its own. LOL.

I'll see if I can find any of that oil, while I'm running erands today, and I'll try that, it it acts up tonight.

Love,
Wayne

[annie oakley]

Gee, Tex...I hope the ear Improves...I know what it is to NOT get any sleep...especially around here. Let us know Huh? Love Oma