Looking for earache relief?  Before you start worrying about how to treat the pain you better have an idea of what is causing the pain.

For example, most earache's follow or come along with a cold or soar throat.  In the process, the tube running from your eardrum to the back of your throat can get clogged.  Then, pus or whatever gets backed up and starts causing pain.  The more it gets backed up the more pain you have.  Technically, when you have a fluid-filled eardrum it's an ear infection.  And, despite popular thought, even ear infections should generally NOT be treated with antibiotics.

Evidence shows us that most children do just as well on a watch and wait basis vs. being given antibiotics.  Even at 7 days out!  Also, giving kids antibiotics when they don't need them only contributes to antibiotic resistance that is starting to become such a problem.

The point is whether you use the term ear infection or earache it's usually best to take a watch and wait and use pain control remedies.  The exception?  If your child is under six months old.  Generally speaking, most doctors recommend the child be given antibiotics.

But, there are instances where you might get an earache without a cold or sore throat.  If that's the case don't mess around with any sort of home remedies.  You'll want to get to a doctor - preferably an ear, nose, throat specialist and get checked out.

Some examples are:

• Pain only with chewing.  This could be a jaw disorder called TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).  A doctor can diagnose this
• Blood in the ear

Also, while it's rare, remember that bugs and other foreign object can get into your ear.  Normally, they work their way out.  Sometimes they can't.  Then, it's time to flush the ear.  I'll discuss ways to do that in a second.

But again, make sure you know what is causing the earache in the first place.  The ear is very delicate and is involved with the throat and nose also, so you don't want to go fiddling around with it and hurt yourself even worse.

But, for run-of-the-mill earaches there are some things you can do for relief.
Natural Earache Relief

(1)  Warmth. 

You've probably heard it before but adding a warm compress of some type to your ear does provide some relief.  Nothing fancy.  Just a warm wash cloth or a heating pad under your ear as you lay on that side.

Warm mineral oil can also help.  But first a warning: don't heat the oil too much.  You could burn your ear and harm your eardrum.  It only has to be warm (comfortable) not hot.

(2)  Start Early. 

Too many people wait until the pain is excruciating before worrying about it.  Remember, the earlier you start the better able you'll be to control the pain.

(3)  Hydrogen Peroxide. 

Normally, I'll use hydrogen peroxide to control wax buildup.  I'll use one of those baby bulb syringes and put 5-10 drops in the ear and then lay on my side for 10 minutes to keep the peroxide pooled in the affected ear.  It works great.  After 10 minutes simply tilt your ear over the sink, let it drain out and then gently (repeat: gently) flush your ear out with water.

Hydrogen peroxide also has the added effect of being a potent germicide if you catch it early.  I learned this trick from a doctor who was inclined towards natural therapies. 

So, whether it is wax causing the pain or bacteria the hydrogen peroxide can help.

(4)  Avoid Aspirin. 

Parents, in their vest to fix the earache, may want to give their kids aspiring.  Don't. 

While it's rare, aspirin can lead to a rare disorder called Reye's Syndrome.

If you feel you need to use some sort of over-the-counter medication for your child stick with Children's Tylenol.

(5)  Decongestants. 

Actually, if you can get a hold of a decongestant (they monitor them closely now in stores) it can help with problems in the ear.  Not foolproof.  But it might be worth a shot.  One caveat: decongestants have a tendency to keep people up so you may not want to take it at bedtime.  Of course, if the pain is bad enough you won't be sleeping anyways?

(6)  Let Your Body Do It's Job. 

While this is certainly the least appealing option you can always just let your body do what it normally does.  Which is, fix the problem itself.

Actually, I saw this first-hand with my oldest son who had an earache at only 3 or 4 years old.  One day, after about a week of grabbing his air and just generally being tough to be around, I noticed he quit fussing.  I looked in his ear and noticed a smelly chunk of what looked like soggy cardboard in his ear.  It spooked both of us and we took him to the walk in clinic.  Diagnosis?  Perforated eardrum.  While it sounds sinister the doctor actually said this is the best thing to happen because it's the bodies way of clearing things up.

Long story short.  My son has not had an earache since.

(7)  Over the Counter Drops. 

Most drugstores nowadays have over the counter drops you can try.  In my opinion, they are worth a shot.  They are generally inexpensive and safe.  And in some kids and adults they help.  Also, most of them have been used for quite a while in other countries (where they are astute enough not to turn to antibiotics for every little shot of ear pain).