Ear infections can be painful, and can affect your daily life. It often starts with a dull throb, and moves on to become a sharp stabbing pain. Sometimes, the pain can move down to your jaw and neck, and make it difficult for you to concentrate on anything.

According to a survey, more than two-thirds of children around the world, suffer from middle ear infection at least once by the time they turn three. It is more prominent in babies between seven to nine months of age. This can be frightening for most first time parents as they cannot fathom the reason for their child’s crankiness and sleeplessness.

Today, most doctors wait up to 72 hours before prescribing any antibiotics to children.

Also, most parents and adults are hesitant to use antibiotics due to its possible side-effects. Using antibiotics should be the last resort, whether it’s you or your child. You can try some of these safe and gentle home remedies that are very effective. Read on to know more.

Olive Oil
Take some warm olive oil and put a few drops into the infected ear. Leave it for a few minutes and then use a cotton swab to clean the ear. Make sure not to insert the swab too deep into the ear.

Salt
Heat a cup of salt over low flame for a few minutes. Take a clean cloth and place the salt on it. Secure it by tying a rubber band. Lie down and place the cloth on the infected ear for a few minutes. The salt will reduce the pain and swelling by draining out the fluid and bring relief.

Garlic
Garlic is antibacterial and has pain relieving properties, making it very effective for all kinds of infections. Add two garlic cloves in two tablespoons of mustard oil and heat till it becomes black.

Strain the liquid and pour a few drops of it in the affected ear after it has cooled down a bit.

Breastmilk
In case your baby is affected by ear infection then breastmilk will bring great relief. Pour a few drops of breastmilk in the baby’s ear every four hours, to cure the infection.

Tea Tree Oil
This is an excellent herbal remedy. Mix some tea tree oil and olive oil and warm the mixture slightly. Add this into the infected ear and lay down for a few minutes. Clean the ear with a cotton swab.

Onion Juice
Cook an onion in the oven for minutes at 450F. Upon cooling (slightly warm) squeeze out juice from it. Strain it and pour it into the affected ear.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Despite its strong odor, it is still considered to be a great remedy for ear infections. Mix one part of ACV with one part of water. Soak a cotton ball into it and allow it to sit on the infected ear for five minutes. Remove the cotton ball and drain out the residual liquid from the ear.

Try any of these home remedies to get relief and cure ear infections, without the use of antibiotics.