Ear congestion is often described as a blockage in your ear canal. This is usually caused by the build up of fluids in your middle ear. Your ears may also feel congested on account of air pressure changes inside your inner ear that normally occurs at high altitudes.
Besides these two reasons, ear congestion can also take place due to excessive build up of ear wax. Ear congestion can cause ear aches, infection and also affect your hearing. However, there are several home remedies that can ease ear congestion.
Effective Home Remedies For Ear Congestion
Tackle Fluid Buildup
If your ear congestion is being caused by fluid accumulation in your middle ear or due to sinus congestion caused by colds and seasonal allergies, check out these home remedies.
Try Hot Water Treatment
Fill a bowl with hot, steaming water. Cover your head with a towel. Hold your face over this bowl of water and inhale the steam. The nasal passages, ear and throat are connected. So inhaling steam will help loosen the mucus in your sinuses as well as ears and ease congestion.Alternatively, you can place a warm compress or a hot water bag over the affected ear to alleviate congestion. Taking hot showers or having a sauna bath are other recommended hot water treatment methods.
Take Advantage Of Gravity
Lie down on your side, keeping your head resting on a pillow. Make sure that the congested ear faces downward on the pillow. Rest in this position for 30 minutes to an hour. Gravity can help pull the fluid out from your ear.
Tackle Air Pressure Changes
Travelling in an airplane or driving at high altitudes can cause ear congestion in your inner ear, also called “airplane ear”. To cure ear congestion due to air pressure changes, check out the following home remedies.
Yawn Or Swallow
Swallowing saliva or yawning will normalize air pressure in your inner ear. You will hear a popping sound when the ear congestion has disappeared.
Use The Valsalva Maneuver
Pinch your nostrils together and blow your nose gently. This will regulate air pressure in your ears. A popping sound occurs indicating that the ear congestion has cleared.
Tackle Wax Build Up
Excessive accumulation of ear wax is another major reason for ear congestion. Failure to remove ear wax regularly causes accumulation of wax in your ear.This ear wax can get pushed deeper into your ear canal if you use q-tips and rolled up fabric, causing ear congestion. Use these home remedies to remove ear wax.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Make a solution with equal parts of distilled water and hydrogen peroxide( 3%). Use a dropper to drop 2 -3 drops of this solution in the affected ear. Hydrogen peroxide easily dissolves ear wax. After 2 minutes, tilt your head so that the affected ear faces the floor.Wait for the solution to drain out, bringing the dissolved ear wax out along with it. Prolonged ear congestion accompanied by pain and fever may indicate infection or a perforated ear drum. In such cases, do not hesitate to consult a medical practitioner immediately.
Vinegar And Alcohol Solution
Make a solution by mixing equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and apple cider vinegar. Use a ear dropper to drop 2 -3 drops of this solution in the ear canal. This helps dissolve the ear wax.
