Does a Warm Cloth Help Ear Infections?
Ear infections can often be incredibly uncomfortable, making it hard to concentrate on day-to-day tasks as well as sleeping well at night. Pain relief is often key in helping to tackle ear infections, and one traditional method for doing this is applying a warm cloth. But does it actually help?
How Can Warm Cloths Help?
Heat is known to be helpful for pain relief, with numerous scientific studies demonstrating that it can help reduce aches and pains. Therefore, a warm cloth applied to the ear helps to reduce the pain of an ear infection, as well as excess fluid that can generally cause a feeling of fullness.
Is It Safe?
For most people, the amount of heat used when applying a warm cloth to the area is unlikely to cause any damage. However, those with diabetes or reduced feeling in the affected area should take particular care to ensure the heat applied is not too intense. People in these groups should consult their doctor before trying this method.
What Else Can Help With Ear Infections?
In addition to applying a warm cloth, there are several other things you can do to tackle an ear infection or help alleviate the pain associated with it. A few ideas are:
- Painkillers – Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen, can help to reduce pain from ear infections.
- Ear drops – Regularly putting special ear drops in the affected ear can help to reduce pain and swelling of the ear.
- Keep the ear dry – Moisture and ear infections don’t mix, so try and keep the ear as dry as possible.
Overall, applying a warm cloth to an ear infection can be a great way to reduce pain in the affected area. However, it’s important to keep safety in mind if doing this, and consult with your doctor if needed. There are also a number of other steps you can take to help manage the infection.