What means are available?

Many home remedies are said to have healing effects that are supposed to help fight acute middle ear infection. However, none of the known household remedies can, according to current scientific opinion, eliminate the cause of the disease. Nevertheless, they can help to alleviate the symptoms that are usually associated with acute middle ear inflammation and thus make the course of the disease somewhat more pleasant.

A particularly well-known household remedy is the use of the kitchen onion. In various applications, it is said to help to effectively treat the inflammation. Especially so-called onion or chamomile bags are frequently used in the home.

Chopped onions or chamomile flowers are placed in a small bag made of thin cloth or in a tea towel and fixed on the affected ear for a certain time. The vapors of the onion as well as the calming effect of chamomile are said to disinfect the affected organ and have an antibacterial effect. Sometimes it is also recommended to put onion juice directly into the ear canal.

This is in no case recommended. Since the inflammation takes place in the middle ear and therefore the external auditory canal is separated from the affected middle ear by the eardrum, the juice applied there cannot reach the place where it could exert its presumed effect. If the eardrum is already damaged and the onion juice reaches the middle ear as a result, the course of the disease may be worsened.

The onion juice also allows pathogens to enter the middle ear and may cause the inflammation to worsen. In addition to the onion, the active ingredients in garlic are also said to have a healing effect in acute middle ear inflammation. Garlic is particularly popular as a household remedy as a whole clove is placed in the external auditory canal.

A healing effect of garlic, as with the onion, is considered very unlikely and therefore treatment with garlic cannot be recommended. Another substance that is often drizzled into the ear canal and is said to have a healing effect is tea tree oil.However, even tea tree oil cannot penetrate the eardrum and, in the worst case, can aggravate the course of the disease by spreading germs when the eardrum is destroyed. The affected persons also find a treatment with so-called red light pleasant.

The red light treats the affected area with heat. The same effect can be achieved by filling a hot water bottle with hot water and placing it on the affected area. It is important not to expose the affected area to the warming measures for too long.

There is no scientifically proven background that the course of the disease is promoted by such a therapy. However, there is nothing to be said against warming the affected area with red light or a hot water bottle if this measure alleviates the symptoms. One household remedy that can effectively relieve a common symptom of acute middle ear inflammation is calf compresses.

With this method, wet cloths are tied around the calves and thus effectively lower the body temperature of the affected person. Chewing chewing gum can also promote the course of the disease. Since the ear trumpet is swollen in an acute middle ear infection and thus no ventilation of the middle ear can take place, chewing gum can help to restore this pressure and thus shorten the course of the disease.

For all the household remedies listed, it is best to discuss their use with a doctor so that the ideal healing process is not hindered. Home remedies alone should never be used in self-therapy for acute middle ear inflammation without consulting a doctor. It is too dangerous for the inflammation to progress, the symptoms to worsen and complications to arise.

For this reason, people who experience the typical symptoms of acute otitis media should always consult a doctor. The treating physician can also best assess the use of home remedies and give tips on which home remedies can actually have a positive influence on the course of the disease. The walk to the physician should not be shied away only because it is assumed that an immediate therapy with antibiotics is prescribed. Immediate antibiotic therapy is not always recommended, but in some cases it can be useful to wait and see whether the immune system can fight the inflammation on its own.