Ear Infections - Children
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Ear Infections - Children - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Feb 11, 2025
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Natural Remedies for Ear Infections in Children

Ear pain can be extremely distressing for children. Fortunately, natural remedies can provide fast relief and help treat infections without the need for antibiotics. Some of the best home treatments for ear pain in children include garlic oil, olive oil, mullein oil, hydrogen peroxide, and warm rice socks.

Top Natural Remedies for Ear Pain

1. Mullein Oil & Warm Rice Sock

Mullein ear oil is a well-known remedy for ear infections. To use:

  • Place a few drops of mullein ear oil in both ears, even if only one ear hurts.
  • Heat a warm rice sock (instructions below) and apply it to the affected ear.
  • Reheat and reuse the rice sock as needed.
  • Use the ear drops 3-4 times a day for relief.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can help break down infection and earwax:

  • Pour half a capful of 3% hydrogen peroxide into the painful ear.
  • Let it bubble for 10 minutes, then drain the ear.
  • Repeat on the other ear.
  • Use 4 times a day for relief.

3. Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver has natural antibacterial properties:

  • Place a dropperful of colloidal silver in each ear.
  • Repeat several times daily until the infection clears.

4. Mullein Ear Oil Recipe

Homemade mullein oil is an excellent natural remedy:

  1. Put 1/4 cup dried mullein leaf into a small pot.
  2. Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
  3. Heat on very low (do not boil) for 45 minutes.
  4. Strain and store the oil in a small glass dropper bottle.
  5. Use as needed for ear infections.

5. Garlic Ear Oil Recipe

Garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic:

  1. Chop one clove of garlic and place it in a small pan.
  2. Add enough olive oil to cover.
  3. Heat gently for 45 minutes (do not sauté).
  4. Strain and let cool before use.
  5. Put a few drops into each ear as needed.

6. How to Make a Warm Rice Sock

A warm rice sock provides comforting heat and pain relief:

  1. Fill a clean sock halfway with rice.
  2. Tie a knot at the top.
  3. Microwave for 60-90 seconds.
  4. Test the heat on your wrist before applying to your child’s ear.
  5. Reheat and reuse as needed.

Additional Considerations for Ear Pain in Children

Dietary Changes

Diet plays a crucial role in preventing chronic ear infections:

  • Avoid dairy products to reduce mucus production.
  • Increase vitamin C intake to boost immunity.
  • Offer warm herbal teas or bone broth for hydration.

Soothing Baths

A warm bath with 1 cup of baking soda can relax the child and reduce inflammation.

Golden Milk

Made with turmeric and non-dairy milk, golden milk is an anti-inflammatory drink that helps fight infection.

When to See a Doctor

While natural remedies can be very effective, consult a doctor if:

  • Your child has severe pain lasting more than 48 hours.
  • There is ear drainage or a suspected ruptured eardrum.
  • Fever exceeds 102°F.

Why Antibiotics Are Not Always Necessary

Doctors once prescribed antibiotics for nearly all ear infections, but research has shown:

  • Many ear infections are viral, meaning antibiotics will not help.
  • Most ear infections will resolve on their own without medication.
  • Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and secondary infections.

Final Thoughts

Natural remedies like garlic oil, mullein oil, hydrogen peroxide, and warm rice socks can effectively relieve ear pain in children. Supporting the immune system with proper nutrition and hydration can help prevent recurring infections.

Have You Tried These Remedies?

Share your experience with natural ear pain treatments in the comments below!

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.
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Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Pam (Boston, Ma) on 05/07/2014
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My mom used Hydrogen Peroxide on us kids since as far back as I can remember. Anytime we had an earache, we'd lay on our side with a towel around our face (from the ear down) and over our necks and she'd pour in the 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. I'm used to it now as I've been doing it for over 35 years. I have perfect hearing and no ear damage. Now - I've never had tubes put in or anything like that, so such people may require special treatment. But on me and my siblings anyway, we love it. I have one ear that for whatever reason, is prone to infections. Whenever the pain starts to kick in, I do the Hydrogen Peroxide treatment. If you have an infection going on, it will bubble up like crazy - that's how you know it's working. When it stops bubbling, simply tip your head to the side and drain it out - whatever little Hydrogen Peroxide is left will evaporate. I've never had any trouble with it getting "trapped" in my ears - but that's me. Like I said though - I've been doing this for 35+ years. I also advocate an onion poultice for severe pain...used overnight. And avoid getting water in your ears at all costs. Also direct sunshine on the ears is great if possible. HTH! :-)

Garlic, Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Jasmine (Oklahoma City, Ok) on 12/31/2010
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I am soooo thankful for the EC participants! My 4-yr old daughter suffered her first earache recently. I tried alternating mucinex and children Tylenol to help with the drainage and the pain. Even Rescon - which is specific to Eustachian tube drainage. A week later we are still dealing with the varying pain from the earache. I have been to this site before but this is my first time posting b/c your recommendations WORK!

While she was sleeping I used a note from Garlic "YEAs". Mixed a small SCORE of garlic with olive oil then dipped a small portion of toilet paper in the now garlic oil (didn't have cotton balls). I balled it big enough where it basically sat on the outer cusp of her ear - did not push it down inside. Left it there for 1 hour while she slept. In the morning she was CURED! Chipper and yelling her ear was better. Then said there was a lot of wax coming out. The ear infection had drained out - it was a watery yellowish substance. This was not from the garlic mixture as I only dabbed a small piece of tissue and did not even stick that all the way in her ear. I couldn't believe it!!!!

To remove some of the drainage of which some had crusted on the outside of the ear - I started with a warm washcloth to soften the crust and worked my way in. Then to get the inner drainage I diluted Hydrogen Peroxide with room temp bottled water and put a few drops inside. My daughter reported NO pain and said she could hear the bubbling in her ear (smiling all the while as if this were a science project). THE REMEDIES WORK!!!! Thank you ALL for your feedback (even the nays add valuable insight - don't overdo it).

Onions

Posted by Jackie.81 (Park Rapids, MN) on 05/15/2009
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Our school nurse called me and said my 6 year old was in the office with ear ache which my children get every year. I ran to the store and bought a yellow onion and cooked in the microwave then squeezed out the juice and put about three drops in it and it took the pain away and she went back to class and never complained again. Her nurse was amazed by the remedy.



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