<p>H went to doctor Friday & was diagnosed with an ear infection and started on antibiotics. It’s Sunday & he’s in a lot of pain and is cranky and irritable. Besides the usual pain relievers (ibuprofen, etc) any suggestions for alleviating the pain?</p>
<p>A HOT, wet compress placed right on the ear may help. Have him lie on his side, bad ear UP, and keep switching the compresses out with new hot wet ones when they start to cool. This should help .</p>
<p>He needs to take something to reduce inflammation, so ibuprofen is better than acetaminophen. He can alternate for maximum pain relief. And old folk remedy is to put a few drops of warm Olive oil in the ear canal or put the oil on a cotton ball and then put in the ear. Also, any type of heat on the ear can provide some pain relief. I like to use rice in a sock, warmed in the microwave. It molds easily to a comfortable shape and is readily available. I hope your husband feels better soon, earaches are miserable.</p>
<p>Wet some paper towels or a cloth towel with extremely hot water. Put the towels inside a cup and put the cup on the ear, sealing the ear if possible. I learned this from an airline attendant when I was seized with excruciating pain on a flight.</p>
<p>Agree with fishymom…old school remedy of warm olive oil in ear canal or on cotton ball. very soothing. feel better soon</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips!</p>
<p>A Dr. once told me to give S1 an antihistamine…dries the fluid in the ear same as it dries a runny nose. It seemed to help.</p>
<p>Is it an inner ear infection or outer ear infection?</p>
<p>Not sure - he’s asleep; I know there’s fluid in it. </p>
<p>Last night the pain woke him up; guess we’ll see how it goes,</p>
<p>That’s actually a good sign that he’s asleep. When I’ve had bad ear infections, sometimes I cannot sleep, and can only pace the floor.</p>
<p>I’m not giving advice here… just telling you what has worked for me - taking both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, but not at the same time. Take either one, then two hours later, take the other. I do this very rarely, and only in circumstances where I’m having a hard time getting a fever to come down, or I’m having really bad pain. That being said, many times when I’ve had ear infections, they’ve prescribed Tylenol #3 or #4, with instructions to take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. I’ve also been known to have both the inner and outer ear infected at the same time.</p>
<p>One way of gauging which one it is, is what kind of medicine he’s on. Did they give him any drops? If so, then they’re treating an outer ear infection. Also, with an outer ear infection, they will tell you not to let any water get in the ear (I would have to let someone else wash my hair in the kitchen sink). If he’s just on an oral antibiotic, then it’s likely they are treating an inner ear infection. Either way, they’re both painful!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, ear infections can also be viral, so while he’s on antibiotics, it might just have to run its course. If he’s still have severe pain tomorrow, I’d call the doctor’s office and see if they can prescribe something for pain over the phone.</p>
<p>A couple of drops of warmed (NOT hot, just slightly warm) olive oil dribbled into the ear can help. Have him lie on his side and put the drops in and then have lie on that side for about 10 minutes. If the other ear also hurts, flip over and do the other ear. In the morning, call the doctor and get ear drops. Pediotic was what I used to use with my kids (we have 10 sets of ear tubes between us with much pain!).</p>
<p>Benadryl can help him to sleep and can dry out liquid in the ear.</p>
<p>Ear pain is awful, make sure he completes his meds.</p>
<p>He was just prescribed the antibiotic (no drops) so I guess inner ear. </p>
<p>I’m back up again; he’s asleep right now, but was up during the night.</p>
<p>Homeopathic remedies worked better for my son’s ear infections. The pain went away immediately. But you need to find a good practitioner.</p>
<p>I think antibiotics are for middle-ear infections. Inner-ear problems tend to cause intense vertigo, middle-ear can be very painful.</p>
<p>[Middle</a> Ear Infection - Symptoms, Causes, Treatments - Better Medicine](<a href=“http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/middle-ear-infection]Middle”>http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/middle-ear-infection)</p>
<p>I had an inner-ear infection once. It was like what is described below. </p>
<p>[Inner</a> Ear Infection Symptoms Can Be Debilitating](<a href=“http://www.vaxa.com/innerear-infection-symptoms.cfm]Inner”>http://www.vaxa.com/innerear-infection-symptoms.cfm)</p>
<p>Update: H went back to the dr today; got 2 antibiotic injections in the hips, also was prescribed stronger oral antibiotic + pain meds. Hope it will make things tolerable.</p>
<p>It sounds contradictory but I find that rubbing alcohol helps ease ear infection pain. </p>
<p>It hurts for a few seconds and then blessed relief comes though temporary.</p>
<p>Call MD and ask about Auralgen drops. I believe it numbs the eardrum.</p>