references
  
      Turkish Annals of Otorhinolaryngology : "Antimicrobial Activity of Garlic Derivatives on Common Causative Microorganisms of the External Ear Canal and Chronic Middle Ear Infections"
    
      Pediatrics: "Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children"
    
      U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Nausea and acupressure"
    
      Practice Nursing: "Does olive oil prevent earwax build-up? An experimental study"
    
      Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews : "Probiotics for preventing acute otitis media in children"
    
      NIH: "Pain in the Ear"
    
      Pediatrics: "Cost-Effectiveness of Watchful Waiting in Acute Otitis Media"
    
      Cochrane: "Pain relievers for children with acute middle ear infection"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Earwax Buildup & Blockage"
    
      Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Mild or moderate earaches can be treated at home, but you should see a doctor for severe pain.

Image Credit: LaylaBird/E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: LaylaBird/E+/GettyImages

  • Herbal Ear Drops
  • Rice Compress
  • Acupressure
  • Watchful Waiting
  • Carbamide Peroxide Ear Drops
  • Olive Oil
  • Hot or Cold Therapy
  • Distraction
  • Vicks Vapo Rub
  • Vitamins
  • Supplements
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • When to See a Doctor
  • Earache Causes

Try these home remedies to ease the pain of an earache, but be sure to see your doctor if the pain is intense or gets worse, you have a fever or trouble sleeping, or if symptoms don’t resolve in two to three days.

It's best to buy herbal ear drops rather than making your own.

Image Credit: vlada_maestro/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: vlada_maestro/iStock/GettyImages

If you've ever used rice to revive a water-damaged phone, this remedy should sound familiar.

Image Credit: Theerasak Piam-On / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages

Image Credit: Theerasak Piam-On / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages

Acupressure may not work for everyone, but there's no harm in trying it for earache relief.

Image Credit: AH86/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: AH86/iStock/GettyImages

Some mild ear infections may go away on their own.

Image Credit: Dean Mitchell/E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: Dean Mitchell/E+/GettyImages

If you’re giving medicine to a child, make sure to ask your pediatrician about the correct dosage.

Peroxide ear drops can help soften painful, built-up wax.

Image Credit: chameleonseye/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: chameleonseye/iStock/GettyImages

You can try olive oil to treat an earache caused by wax buildup.

Image Credit: fcafotodigital/E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: fcafotodigital/E+/GettyImages

Apply heat to ease the ache.

Image Credit: FOTOGRAFIA INC./E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: FOTOGRAFIA INC./E+/GettyImages

Playing outside won't get rid of an earache, but it can take a child's mind off the pain.

Image Credit: jacoblund/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: jacoblund/iStock/GettyImages

Vicks is an old-fashioned remedy for an earache.

Image Credit: shironagasukujira/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: shironagasukujira/iStock/GettyImages

The 5 Best Ways to Get Water Out of You Ear

      Turkish Annals of Otorhinolaryngology : "Antimicrobial Activity of Garlic Derivatives on Common Causative Microorganisms of the External Ear Canal and Chronic Middle Ear Infections"
    
      Pediatrics: "Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children"
    
      U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Nausea and acupressure"
    
      Practice Nursing: "Does olive oil prevent earwax build-up? An experimental study"
    
      Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews : "Probiotics for preventing acute otitis media in children"
    
      NIH: "Pain in the Ear"
    
      Pediatrics: "Cost-Effectiveness of Watchful Waiting in Acute Otitis Media"
    
      Cochrane: "Pain relievers for children with acute middle ear infection"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Earwax Buildup & Blockage"
    
      Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain"