Table of contents:
- Ear infection medication from a doctor
- Antibiotics
- Pain relievers and decongestants
- Home remedies to treat ear infections
- Compress the ear with warm water
- Gargle with salt water
Pain from ear infections (internal otitis) can interfere with your daily activities. Not to mention also have to deal with the occasional fluid seeping out of the ear canal. Ear infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses, so treatment should not be arbitrary. Here are some common ear infection remedies that doctors prescribe, plus home remedies you can try to speed up healing.
Ear infection medication from a doctor
Treatment for ear infections is usually adjusted based on the cause, age, and severity of the infection. The following are various drugs that are generally prescribed to treat ear infections, namely:
Antibiotics
The doctor will give drinking antibiotics for ear infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are given to treat ear infections in:
- Children 6 months of age and older who experience moderate to severe ear pain in one or both ears. The pain has also lasted for less than 48 hours and the body temperature has increased to more than 39ºCelsius.
- Children 6 to 23 months of age with mild ear pain in one or both ears that has lasted for less than 48 hours and a body temperature still below 39 ° Celsius.
- Children 24 months and older to adults with mild ear pain in one or both ears. The pain has lasted for less than 48 hours and the body temperature is below 39 degrees Celsius.
Antibiotics must be taken according to the dosage dose and spent until the deadline determined by the doctor. In addition to oral medications, doctors can also prescribe antibiotic drops to treat external ear infections.
If it is caused by a viral infection, the doctor will give antiviral ear infection medication to treat the symptoms.
Pain relievers and decongestants
In some cases, ear infections can be caused by other diseases such as colds or allergies. If it is caused by the flu or other respiratory illness, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, to help relieve pain that occurs due to inflammation in the ear.
If the ear infection is due to an allergic reaction, you can use a decongestant or antihistamine such as pseudoephedrine or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Although these drugs can be purchased without a doctor's prescription, try to consult a doctor before taking them. Toddlers with ear infections should not be given these drugs.
Home remedies to treat ear infections
In addition to doctor's medication, you can also relieve symptoms of ear infections by:
Compress the ear with warm water
Compressing the ear with the help of warm water can help relieve pressure and pain. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and wring out the remaining water. Hold it for a maximum of 20 minutes over the sore ear. In addition to a washcloth or towel, you can also use cotton to attach it to the outer ear hole.
Gargle with salt water
Salt water can help relieve sore throat due to ear infections. Not only that, gargling with salt water also helps clear blocked ear canals due to excess mucus production.
Try to keep your hearing senses clean and keep your ears dry so they don't become a hotbed for bacteria and viruses that cause infection.
