Discover 20 Ways to Soothe Earaches

Summary: Earaches can be super painful, but you have plenty of ways to find relief at home. Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or decongestants are great first steps. You can also try holding a warm or cold wet cloth against your ear for 15 to 20 minutes to soothe the ache. If you are trying to sleep, prop your head up so your sinuses don't drain into your ears and cause more pressure. For airplane ear, try chewing gum or pinching your nose and blowing gently to pop your ears. Some people even use a few drops of warm olive oil to soften stubborn earwax. If your pain doesn't go away after a few days, or if you have a fever or fluid draining, it's time to see a doctor. They might give you antibiotics or safely flush out the earwax.

For more details, see Verywell Health at verywellhealth.com/how-to-relieve-ear-pain-5185902 (opens in new tab)