An inflammation or infection of the outer ear can cause
severe pain, possibly a discharge, and impaired hearing.
Such symptoms may be due to a number of factors, such
as infection by fungi or bacteria, or a foreign body in the
ear. Boils or abscesses lead to a build-up of pus which
causes severe pain in the ear.
Reasons for infection include:
Boils often result from infection by staphylococcus
bacteria. Infection often occurs through a break in the
skin caused by scratching an itch, or may enter the ear
from polluted water.
Boils are painful, the ear may swell,
and infection may spread to the inner ear.
Fungus infections are sometimes called “swimmer’s
ear” because dampness is favorable to fungal growth.
Damage from constant probing of the ear may lead to
bacterial or fungal infection or inflammation.
An allergic reaction to a foreign body can cause an
ear infection.
TREATMENT
Traditional Home and Folk Remedies
A roasted onion can be applied to the outer ear canal (hot)
to draw out infection and to ease the pain. A bread poultice will reduce
inflammation and pain. Warm a little garlic oil, saturate a cotton bud, and
place in the ear canal to draw out infection.
Herbalism
Mullein oil will reduce external pain and encourage
healing. St. John’s wort oil exerts a similar beneficial
effect. Wash the ear canal with a warm infusion of herbs
such as chamomile, elderflower, or golden seal, which
are antiseptic.
Aromatherapy
Apply a little tea tree oil to the end of a cotton bud and
gently swab the outer ear canal, and the ear itself. Warm some marjoram oil in grapeseed oil, massage
around the ear and dab a few drops into the ear canal.
Apply a little more to a cotton ball and insert into the ear
and leave overnight. This will reduce pain and encourage
healing.
Homeopathy
Belladonna, for pain and redness. Mercurius, when there is a smelly discharge. Aconite, for an acute infection characterized by sharp
shooting pains.
Flower Essences
Take Rescue Remedy or Emergency Essence to ease
symptoms and induce calm.
