About Ear Ache Prevention Through Ear Irrigation

Whether a child or an adult, ear aches hurt. The best way to prevent earaches or infections is to practice good ear hygiene through ear irrigation. If you are an adult and get an earache while flying, you are suffering from air pressure, not an infection. A sensation of fullness usually means earwax. There are several home remedies that will irrigate your ears from the inside out.

Most ear aches are caused by a build-up of ear wax. There are two parts to ear irrigation; you first need to insert something to soften the earwax and then use something, usually warm water, to wash it out. The most important rule is to never put a cotton swab in your ear. It will only push the wax in deeper, causing it to harden. Cotton swabs have also been known to break off; this requires a doctor to remove the swab.

When irrigating your ears, hold your head upright, pull your ear to straighten the ear canal and direct a stream of room-temperature water to loosen the wax. Tip your head to allow the water to drain. You may have to repeat this several times.

Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is often used to help remove wax and irrigate the ears. Warm 3% peroxide, tilt your head and drip the peroxide into your blocked ear. Wait five to ten minutes before letting it drip out. After the peroxide drains, use a syringe to squirt water into the ear and flush out all debris and wax. An old home remedy uses warmed mineral or sweet olive oil dripped into the ear in place of the peroxide, followed buy the same warm water flush.

If you have discharge, ringing in the ears, dizziness or pain and swelling, contact your doctor right away. You may have an infection or ruptured eardrum.