Difference between revisions of "Clear up Ear Congestion With Olive Oil"

Everyone needs some earwax to keep their ears healthy and functioning well. However, too much can lead to blockages, pain, and even infection.<ref name="rf15428">http://american-hearing.org/disorders/ear-wax/</ref> Luckily, it's easy to get rid of earwax at home. Read this article to learn how.

#Do not use olive oil if you have another ear injury. While olive oil is almost always perfectly safe for healthy people, certain injuries and conditions can make your ears too sensitive for it. If you have any of the following problems, speak to your doctor before taking any action.<ref name="rf1053">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Earwax/Pages/Treatment.aspx</ref><ref name="rf15428" />

#Warm up the olive oil. Olive oil helps soften the wax in your ears, making it easier to drain on its own.<ref name="rf15429">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072538/</ref> Before putting any of the oil into your ears, however, you should warm it roughly to body temperature—98.6°F. This is the temperature of your inner ear, and the oil will be more comfortable at a comparable temperature. You should warm two to three tablespoons of pure olive oil.

#* Note that while olive oil is a common option, it’s not the only option. You can also safely use hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, baby oil, or mineral oil.<ref name="rf15430">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/earwax-blockage/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20018904</ref>

#Add essential oils if you wish. Blockages can also trap bacteria, which can lead to infection of the ear.<ref name="rf15428" /> Some people choose to add essential oils with antibacterial properties to help with excess bacteria that may be present due to the blockage. However, the olive oil alone has shown to be effective in simply helping to break up the blockage.<ref name="rf15429" /> Make sure to test a drop or two of the oil on your skin to check for irritation before adding it to your ears. Add about four drops to the warmed olive oil. Some essential oil options include:

#* Garlic oil<ref name="rf15431">Tsao, S-M., Yin, M-C., In-vitro antimicrobial activity of four diallyl sulphides occurring naturally in garlic and Chinese leek oils. J Med Microbiol. 50:646-649, 2001.</ref>

#* Eucalyptus oil<ref name="rf1164">http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/eucalyptus</ref>

#* Lavender oil, which is safe for children<ref name="rf15432">Sarrell, EM., Cohen, HA., Kahan, E., Naturopathic Treatment for Ear Pain in Children., Pediatrics Vol. 111 No. 5 May 1, 2003, pp. e574 -e579</ref>

#* Oregano oil<ref name="rf15433">Can Baser, KH., Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Carvacrol and Carvacrol Bearing Essential Oils, Current Pharmaceutical Design, 14 (29), 3106-3119, 2008.</ref>

#* St. John’s wort<ref name="rf15434">Patocka, J., The chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the biologically active constituents of the herb Hypericum perforatum L. J. Applied Biomedicine 1, 61-70.,2003.</ref>

#Collect some of the mix with an eyedropper. Once you’ve mixed the olive oil and any essential oils you’ve chosen, pick up some of the solution with an eyedropper.<ref name="rf15430" /> This will help you deliver the correct amount of the solution, and it’s much easier than trying to pour olive oil into your ear.

#Squeeze two drops of the solution into your ear. Rather than filling your ear with the oil, you can apply just a few drops, which will soak into the wax.<ref name="rf15430" /> Keep your head titled to stop the oil from escaping for five to ten minutes.

#Repeat the process two to three times a day. Using the olive oil isn’t likely to work in a single application. You should try to repeat the process two to three times each day for approximately three to five days.<ref name="rf15435">http://patient.info/health/earwax-leaflet</ref> This should be sufficient time to help dissolve and break up the blockage.

#Consider irrigating your ear. Though the olive oil may have softened the blockage, some cases require more to actually dislodge it. You can irrigate the affected ear as an additional step if necessary. Use a rubber-bulb syringe (such as those used for babies), tilt your head, and gently squirt warmed water into the canal of the affected ear.<ref name="rf15430" />

#* You can pull your ear both up and backward to help straighten the ear canal for best results.<ref name="rf15430" />

#* Your doctor can also irrigate your ear. He or she will have a safer method with tools using an exact pressure of water to avoid damaging your ear.<ref name="rf15428" />

#See your doctor. If the process of softening the blockage and irrigating your ear doesn’t help, then consider seeing your doctor. He or she will have several methods available to safely remove the blockage.<ref name="rf15428" /> Your doctor will also be able to exam your ear and form a proper diagnosis. Your problem may not have been an earwax blockage in the first place. Other causes of a congested sensation in your ears include:<ref name="rf15436">http://www.md-health.com/Pressure-In-Ear.html</ref>

#Equalize the pressure in your ears. Most often, the sensation of ear pressure isn’t a blockage at all but a brief dysfunction of the Eustachian tube in your middle ear.<ref name="rf15437">http://www.md-health.com/Ear-Congestion.html</ref> You can force this tube open to equalize the pressure in your ear with various easy steps, including:<ref name="rf15437" />

#Stay hydrated. For sinus congestion that leads to ear pressure, you can also help reduce the pressure by simply staying hydrated. Fluids help to thin the mucus causing the pressure.<ref name="rf15436" /> Try to drink at least eight cups of water each day.

#Sleep with your head elevated. By adding an additional pillow and keeping your head elevated, you make it easier for your sinuses to drain properly.<ref name="rf15436" /> This will help to reduce ear pressure.<ref name="rf15436" />

#Put a warm compress on your ear. Try heating a towel and then placing the towel over your ear for several minutes. You can also place a cup over the portion of the towel covering your ear to help trap the heat.<ref name="rf15436" />

#Take a hot shower. If the pressure is due to sinus congestion, you can also take a hot, steamy shower. This will help to thin and drain the mucus plugging your sinuses, which will help to relieve the pressure.<ref name="rf15436" />

#* Cerumenolytics - These products essentially act the same way as olive oil to help soften the blockage if earwax is the cause of the pressure.<ref name="rf15429" />

*If your earwax doesn't improve, see a doctor. Doctors have special tools for removing bad wax buildups, including micro-suction devices that can suck it out like a vacuum cleaner.<ref name="rf15428" />

*Don't let a bad wax buildup go untreated. If it completely blocks the path to your eardrum, the increased pressure can damage or rupture the eardrum.<ref name="rf15428" />