The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Hot Water Syringing
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 05/17/2025
★★★★★
EARACHE. HOT WATER SYRINGING (108'F)
Source: Practical Nursing, p. 136, By Louise Henderson · 1919
Earache may be caused by some indirect trouble with the teeth, or from cold, or by a purely local disease of the ear.
Treatment.
Have the patient keep the head raised on a pillow and lay the affected ear on a hot water bag (not too full). Lacking that, apply hot cloths or even a poultice over the outside ear. If persistent an earache may be relieved by careful syringing with hot water (108 °), for method see page 102. An earache should always be reported to a physician even if it has been relieved. Carefully note any sign of discharge.
Note: Medicine can be added to to warm water (small amount) before syringing like, boric acid, vinegar (white distilled or apple cider), hydrogen peroxide 3%
Olive Oil
Posted by Carol (Liverpool, England) on 08/02/2017
★★★★★
I just think warm Olive oil is the best remedy, just a few drops,
i suffer badly with earache and this is my only cure.
Boric Acid and Vinegar
Posted by Sophia (Indiana) on 05/13/2017
★★★★★
Boric acid really helped me with my earache! I heated up 4 oz distilled water (boil tap water to sterilize if you don't have distilled), and added 1 TBSP of Boric acid as well as 1 TBSP of vinegar (I used organic ACV but white vinegar would work too). I mixed until the boric acid crystals dissolved and let it cool. Then, using a clean eyedropper, I put 2-3 drops in the affected ear, 2 times daily. Laid my head down on its side and let it sit in there for 10-15 minutes before putting in a cotton ball and sitting back to give it time to work. The first dose took away the worst of the pain. Today I woke up with no ear pain, at all! But I'm going to keep using until the pressure goes away.
I also made a solution for my eyes, since they always ache when I get a sinus/ear infection. The recipe for that is 1/8 tsp to 8 oz distilled or sterilized water. I only keep these solutions for a day or two and then throw them out. Best to make a fresh batch when you need them!
Garlic
Posted by Art (California ) on 03/07/2017 2966 posts
In reply to Steph C. (Missouri),
Your method also eliminates the chance of being burned by the potential for direct contact with the garlic clove which on its own is quite strong and capable of burning your ear.
Art
Onions
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 04/28/2013
★★★★★
If you have an earache put an onion in the oven and bake it, let cool down to a little warm and then put it on the ear to draw out infection.... I have not had an infection in many years....
Use Q tip with hydrogen peroxide in ear and then put half a pea size of oil in each ear as often as needed ... no more pressure and almost zero noise.
Onions
Posted by Jennifer (St Paul, Mn) on 09/14/2012
★★★★★
The last time I had an earache was 2004. I sliced a large white onion in half and placed it over my ear. In twenty minutes I could feel/hear liquid gurgle in my ear and in 25 minutes the pain went away. As soon as my kids start complaining of an earache we apply an onion.
Cigarette Smoke
Posted by Jessica (Dallas, Tx) on 12/02/2011
★★★★★
Just tried cigarette smoke for an earache and can't believe it worked! Had sinus issues the last few days.. Everything else had mostly cleared up but I was left with horrible pressure and popping in my ears (I think due to some post nasal drip). I lit half a cigarette, placed in ear, let it sit there for about a min while I hunched over to keep it in place. The popping stopped!
Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar
Posted by Mandy (Arkansas) on 10/27/2016
★★★★★
I have had a very bad sinus infection for a month now. I have had 3 rounds of antibiotics and it doesn't really help. I developed ear pain and ear pressure. Hurt so bad I would have tried anything. so I found this post tried and wow!!! Ear pain is almost gone and soon as I dropped the mixture in I heard a loud pop inside my ear. Thank You!
Steaming Washcloth in Mug
Posted by Fanciullag (Buffalo, Ny, Usa) on 05/16/2011
★★★★★
A friend taught me this trick and it helps. Take two washcloths, wetting them both with warm to hot water. Then stick them in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Place a washcloth in the bottom of a coffee mug, then put a mug over each ear. The steam in the ear seems to help alot!
Steaming Washcloth in Mug
Posted by Jennifer (Duluth, Ga) on 09/12/2016
★★★★★
I tried this on my daughter. It worked! Her ear hurt so much she couldn't sleep. After I did this the pain subsided enough for her to finally fall asleep. Thank you so much!
Cigarette Smoke
Posted by Margalit (Buena Park, Ca.) on 03/18/2010
★★★★★
Yes, I've tried the newspaper rolled up and burned it at the end when i was pregnant and it took away my ear pain kind of scary but it worked for me.
Cigarette or Newspaper
Posted by Leah (Friendswood, Tx) on 08/31/2009
★★★★★
Hi, well I dont know about cigarettes blown in the ear, but I do know for a FACT, that if you roll up a newspaper and place it in your ear like a torch, all the smoke that goes into your ear will place pressure and pop whatever it is in there. Its usually good for air in the ears or ear infection to relieve the pressure. I wouldnt call it a cure, but it does help alot, my mother did this to me when I was like 3 on up and its not painful, just dont make the point on the end that goes in your ear to pointy.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Beverly (Tucson) on 09/19/2015
She's not lying. A nurse told me to make sure to not put anything (she was referring to water--but it's still the same principle) cold in your ear because it could make you pass out and/or vomit. Always make sure that whatever you put in is warm.
Garlic
Posted by Susy (Woodland Hills, CA) on 03/10/2009
★★★★★
I've been using Garlic for earaches ever since I can remember. It works like a charm. You use one Garlic Tooth, heat it up but not burning hot, you cut the piece small enough to fit in your ear but not small enough to go into the ear canal. It works like a charm. I've done this on my kids as well. They fall asleep & wake up pain free.
Garlic
Posted by Eb22 (Hilo, Hawaii) on 02/28/2009
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Warning! Do NOT PUT GARLIC INTO YOUR EAR! I placed a peeled garlic clove in my ear for 2 hours to relieve a 5 week long ear infection which had made me me desperate. 1 hour later my face went numb on that side. 7 hours later I woke up with vertigo and ringing in my ear. It is now 3 weeks later and I still feel vertigo and the ringing makes it difficult to sleep. I hope this goes away!
Oregano Oil
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 04/28/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Yes, I've tried Oregano Oil for an Ear infection and It worked, but it burned the heck out of my Ear!! Just rub the outsides of outer ear, and it will make it's way to inner ear, without causing you to go nuts with the burning.
Garlic
Posted by Johnny (Portland, Or) on 11/01/2010
LOL!!! Thanks for the good laugh :D I think you cured me. The juice of 7 cloves of garlic! Why such extremes? I can't imagine the pain that much alicin caused. Hope you got better quick. Alicin is very powerful indeed and obviously a strong irritant. As such, only a small amount is needed, 1 clove peeled only at the tip and carefully scored there is enough (as instructions given above). You CAREFULLY insert clove (big enough to fit but not enter fully) into the ear for a few hours (max 3) and it will kill anything with little pain (think fumigating more than pouring liquid alicin onto your ear drum). Fresh garlic is also important, as the alicin vapors quickly dissipate after a few hours of contact with air. Hope this helps you! It helped me a great deal.
Garlic
Posted by Pad (Possum Trot) on 01/09/2022
You are not supposed to place pure undiluted garlic juice in your ear. It is supposed to be diluted with olive oil. Don't blame your experience on not reading the directions correctly.
Coconut Oil and Garlic
Posted by Shabbir (Bangalore, India) on 05/30/2008
★★★★★
Ear Ache can be relieved almost instantly. Just warm a very small amount of coconut oil with a clove of Garlic cut into two in it. Do not over heat as the oil & the Garlic would be burnt.
Allow the oil to cool down to a warm level. Use a dropper to pour a drop or two into the ear while lying down. Lie down for a few minutes to allow the oil to go down deep into the painful ear.
Caution: Allow oil to cool to bearable level - use your cleaned finger to test. Do not use more than a drop or two of the warmed oil.
Do not worry this is a routine home remedy here in India.
Olive Oil
Posted by Beth (Conway, AR) on 02/08/2008
★★★★★
I have always used sweet oil for all my ear trouble and my mom used it when I was little girl. I am now 26 and use it to this day I will not buy any OTC stuff it is a waste of money. they say you should heat it up but as long as it is at room temp. and at ___ it is $3.84 I cant go to the doctor
Olive Oil
Posted by Kia (Columbia, South Carolina) on 11/25/2007
★★★★★
Sweet Oil: I'm 26 years old and I lived with my grandmother a majority of my life. For as long as I can remember, anytime I would get ear aches, she would put sweet oil in my ear. Sweet oil can be found at any grocery store. All you have to do is get the sweet oil, pour the sweet oil in a tablespoon, and heat it up. I usually put a lighter under the spoon to get it warm, (not too hot). Next, get a cotton ball and soak up the sweet oil. Put the cotton ball(s) in your ear(s), and the next day you will be cured. This remedy has never failed me or anyone else in my family. Its guaranteed to work.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Sandy (In the sticks, Nevada) on 11/24/2007
★★★★★
We have been using hydrogen peroxide for years to fight off earaches and colds. My kids and I used to go to the dr. all the time for earaches and end up with a big dr. bill and antibiotics. Then we heard about peroxide. I keep the peroxide in a small glass bottle with an eyedropper. The moment anyone starts to get a sore throat or their ears hurt even a tiny bit, we put one eyedropper full in each ear. Hold the bottle in your hand to warm the peroxide a bit (otherwise it feels like ice water going in) and have the person lie flat on their side. I like to leave the peroxide in until it stops bubbling, but even a few minutes may be enough to help. Drain the peroxide out when you are done and dry the ear thoroughly. A nurse told me that the peroxide would burn a hole through the lining of the ear(Has anyone ever heard of this before?), but we have done this for almost 10 years with no problems.
