Tag: Ear Infection

Your Best Home Remedy For Swimmers Ear

Swimmers ear is an inflammation of the outer ear that is sometimes referred to by its scientific name otitis externa, or is simply called an earache. The name swimmers ear comes from the fact that since this infection is caused by excess moisture, some swimmers are prone to it.

While swimmers may be the most common sufferers of this infection, anyone can come down with it if the conditions are right. It is often recurrent, so it can be extremely inconvenient and potentially expensive to have to visit the doctor every time it occurs.

As such, many people are interested in a home remedy for swimmers ear. There are many different home remedies available, so the question becomes: which one works the best? The answer may depend on the severity of the inflammation and simply what works best for you.

However, before trying any home remedies its a good idea to visit a doctor at least once. This is because sometimes what may look like swimmers ear is actually a more serious ear infection that needs serious treatment.

If youve been diagnosed with swimmers ear before then its usually safe to try a home remedy for earaches when they recur. One option is to simply purchase over the counter ear drops from a pharmacy. They are a simple and inexpensive way to help minimize the pain of swimmers ear and cure it.

One example of such a home remedy for earaches is Burrows Solution, which is commonly used to treat rashes and bug bites. Burrows Solution is available without a prescription, making it an easy to obtain fix.

It may also be possible to treat swimmers ear with things that you already have around the house. For example, putting a little bit of rubbing alcohol into the affected ear can help to clear out any building infection. Simply tilt your head to the side with the inflamed ear pointed upward. Pull your ear to stretch out the ear canal, and squeeze just a drop of rubbing alcohol into the canal. Shake your head a bit to make sure the alcohol flows all through it, then tilt your head to the other side to drain it out.

Some similar approaches include using some other common household supplies. For example, white vinegar, or a mixture of alcohol and white vinegar can help to kill off any bacteria that are building up in the ear canal. Use the same method outline above for rubbing alcohol.

The best home remedy for swimmers ear is simply prevention. Even if you swim regularly doesnt mean youre doomed to get it. There are a lot of simple ways to help prevent the problem before it starts. For example, you might try wearing earplugs or a swimming cap, when you go swimming. This helps to keep the water from getting into your ear canal where it can promote the growth of fungus or bacteria. If you dont like earplugs, you can even use a blow dryer to manually dry out your ears after swimming.

Remember if the problem persist consult your local physician.

Try A Home Remedy For An Ear Infection

A home remedy for an ear infection may be your best option if you are a parent. Children tend to get ear infections often and it can be costly going to the doctor each time. Its especially bothersome when you are on vacation and you need a quick fix. Luckily there are many treatments you can do yourself. However, before trying any home remedies its a good idea to visit a doctor at least once.

People have been dealing with ear infections using the products they have sitting in their home for many years. These are things that have been working since the days when doctors werent readily available, so people had to treat themselves. You can take advantage of these treatments too.

A hot compress is a good option for at home or on the go. Have the child hold the hot compress to their ear with a towel or washcloth wrapped around it. You will also want them to lie on the side that is infected. This will force the build-up to come out of the ear while helping with the pain.

You probably have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your home and you can use this as a method of treating an ear infection. All you need is a couple drops into the infected ear and let it drop down in. The hydrogen peroxide will kill the infection.
Lemon juice can have a similar effect to hydrogen peroxide if you have that in your home and want to use something more natural. Lemon juice is an acidic which will neutralize the base chemical properties of the bacteria, stopping the infection.

Garlic and onions combined with olive oil can create an all natural solution to an ear infection. Youll need to simmer those ingredients together with a small amount of water. When it cools, use an eyedropper to put a few drops into the infected ear. Let it soak, and within 24 hours the infection will be gone.

Vinegar is found in most homes, and if you have it too you can use that to create an ear infection fighting solution. A combination of 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent water will make a powerful cleaning solution that is safe for anyones ear.
Although it is a strange use for a liquor, vodka can also cure an ear infection, and not by drinking it. Dab a small amount of vodka onto a cotton ball and press it against the infected ear. Make sure some of the vodka drips into the ear. The strong alcohol content will remove the infection without causing harm like a pure alcohol would.

You can choose any of these home remedies and see which one works best for your children. Once you find one you like, you can continue to use that home remedy for an ear infection each time they get one. Be sure and remember that home remedies may not work and if the infections or pain continue, you should consult with your professional health care provider.

Treatment For Deafness Problems

There are many causes to deafness problems. It could be genetic, from an accident, an illness or the side effects of medication. One thing you have to keep in mind though is that it is not an illness but a symptom of an underlying disorder.

Deafness problems can be classified into two namely conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. The first one can be treated surgically or medically. The second cannot be corrected which is why the use of implants is very common.

Your doctor will only know the degree of your deafness problem after reviewing the results of the audiology test.

There are different types of conductive hearing loss. These are namely blocked Eustachian tubes, fluid in the ear, infection, infected mastoid bone, otosclerosis, ruptured eardrums and wax buildup.

If you happen to have blocked Eustachian tubes, the doctor will have to insert tubes to the eardrum to stop the blockage.

Fluid in the ear is usually caused by an infection. It may go away on its own which is why doctors will wait and see what happens before draining it after making a small incision in the ear drum.

In the event that you have an ear infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or eardrops.

If there is an infection with the mastoid bone, this can be treated with antibiotics and in some cases may involve surgery.

Ruptured eardrums similar to fluid in the ear can heal on its own or with the use of an antibiotic. If there are no changes, then the doctor may have to perform surgery.

The only way to treat otosclerosis is an operation. The doctor will go in and replace the damaged bones of the middle ear and put in tiny metal replacements.

Should there be a wax buildup, a trained professional will first do a probe and then use either water irrigation or a suction device to remove the wax.

As mentioned earlier, there is no way to permanently treat sensorineural hearing problems. The only thing that doctors can recommend is a cochlear implant. Installing this device will allow the person to hear.

This is different from a hearing aid because the implant does not amplify sound but works directly by stimulating any functioning auditory nerves inside the cochlea with electric field stimulated through an electric impulse.

The cochlear implant consists of a microphone, speech processor and an RF transmitter. According to one study, more than 100,000 people have had cochlear implants.

Why so low you might ask? This is because cochlear implants are very expensive. It may cost between $40,000 to $100,000 depending on an individuals needs and the center at which the surgery is performed. Those who have undergone the procedure say it was worth it because it helps them read lips better.

So if you had the money, does this mean you can have a cochlear implant? Not yet because you must have certain requirements. You must have severe or profound sensorineural hearing impairment in both ears, have a functioning auditory nerve otherwise it wont work, have good communication skills, tried other hearing aids with no improvement, fit to undergo surgery and have facility close by to monitor your progress.

Treating deafness problems could be both easy and complicated. If you want to hear, you have to see a doctor to find out what is wrong before any option is presented on the table.

The Truth About What a Yeast Infection Looks Like

How to Identify a Yeast Infection

At some time in your life, you will probably need to know what a yeast infection looks like. A yeast infection will have different characteristics depending on which body part it has attacked. In most cases, it looks like a patchy red rash that is not raised at all. After a while, this rash can generate pus.

Babies usually get yeast infections in their mouths, where the fungus finds a wet, enclosed space in which to live. This type of yeast infection often resembles a layer of white, milky mucus over a red area of the skin. When the mouth is in this condition, it makes drinking and eating difficult and painful.

Babies and children still in diapers may also develop a yeast infection from the wet, warm environment. The more vigilant you are in changing the diaper, the more likely your child can avoid a yeast infection. Dry clothing is key to keeping yeast infections at bay. The yeast infection on a babys bottom will look similar to the red patches of rash mentioned earlier in the article.

Yeast infections can also occur in the skin between fingers and toes. In this case, it will look red and dry and feel quite irritated. Sweaty socks can often contribute to this problem, so go for socks that provide a looser fit and allow your feet to have some circulation.

When found in the ear, a yeast infection looks like a standard ear infection, causing the ear to look red or swollen. There may be a cottony discharge that comes from the affected ear.

A vaginal yeast infection has to be the most well known type of yeast infection. Up to 75% of many women suffer from this condition at least once in their lives. It is important to know what this kind of yeast infection looks like.

Often, you will notice a red patch of skin that looks inflamed and swollen. The soft tissues surrounding the vagina may also become swollen and irritated. Excessive dryness of the vaginal area is another indicator that you may have a yeast infection.

Other Symptoms of Yeast Infections

Vaginal yeast infections also present with a host of other symptoms. A white, thick discharge will most likely occur; this will look different from the normal discharge a woman experiences when ovulating. It may have an odd smell, which some women compare to the smell of baked bread. You may notice a difference in coloration when discharge is due to a yeast infection.

Yeast infections in the ear can also be identified in children by the affected childs behavior. Often, the child will act fussy due to the ear pain, or repeatedly pull on or rub the infected ear. Children with ear infections usually have trouble sleeping.

Once you are acquainted with what a yeast infection looks like, you can begin treating this condition much more quickly than before. Always consult with a doctor before taking medications, as some medicines can actually cause a future yeast infection to be more resistant to drugs.