An infection of the ear can be annoying and may develop due to fungal infection, ear wax build-up, or due to pressure created while resting.
Ear infections develop when certain bacteria or viruses attack the middle ear, located behind the eardrum. It results in fluid build-up and inflammation of the middle ear, causing severe pain. Ear infections may be acute or chronic. Acute infections are painful but remain only for a short period. Chronic infections recur and may lead to permanent damage in the inner and middle ears.
Are Ear problems common during pregnancy?
In most cases, ear issues during pregnancy are mild and temporary. But they do a range, from the fairly common to the very rare.
One kind of common ear infection that may happen during pregnancy is the swimmer’s ear. This ear infection happens in your outer ear canal, typically after swimming in unclean water or accidentally scratching the inside of your ear.
A very rare, temporary ear issue that might happen during pregnancy is sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). It’s not an infection, and researchers don’t know exactly why some people get this rare disorder in pregnancy. However, it usually happens in the second or third trimester and clears up after fewer than 10 days.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any ear pain or changes to your hearing.
Causes of Ear infections during pregnancy
Infections in general are more common when you’re pregnant. And ear, nose, and throat changes during pregnancy might increase your risk of ear infections in particular. An ear infection can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
Pregnancy changes that may make this more likely include:
Higher basal metabolic rate (BMR). During pregnancy, your body requires increased oxygen levels and blood volume. This means that your heart also works harder to move all this fluid around. You might get an earache — though not necessarily an infection — if there’s fluid buildup inside the ear.
Hormonal changes. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels go up. These hormones can affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness from bacteria and viruses. However, the exact link between hormones and infections isn’t entirely clear.
More fluid. Increased blood flow means more fluid staying in your body. This can lead to other side effects. For example, you may have noticed that during pregnancy you often have a stuffy nose. More fluid in your nose and sinuses during pregnancy might increase the risk of an ear infection.
Changes during pregnancy can also cause other temporary ear issues like vertigo or dizziness. Your hearing and balance might be affected during pregnancy if you have an existing condition like Meniere’s disease.
And if it’s allergy, cold, or flu season, everyone has a higher chance of getting ear and other infections.
Infection or damage in the inner ear can sometimes lead to:
- vertigo
- hearing loss
- tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
8 Home Remedies for Ear Pain
1. Sleep positioning
Lying down flat can sometimes worsen the feeling of pressure and pain in the infected eardrum. To reduce the pooling of fluid in the eardrum, consider the best sleep position. For children who are old enough to have pillows in their sleep space (age 1 and older), an additional pillow under the head may help. Although young infants should always be put on their “back to sleep”, older children can be encouraged to sleep on the unaffected side.
2. Warm, moist heat
Wrapping a hot water bottle in a damp towel and holding it against the aching ear for a few minutes may provide some pain relief. If you don’t have a hot water bottle on hand, a rice sock can be heated in the microwave for short bursts. Another alternative is a warm, wet washcloth. If you use a washcloth, be sure to wring it out well. You want to avoid dripping water into the infected ear.
3. Olive oil
Olive oil is often sold in drugstores as a Cerumenlytic—an ear canal lubricant that can loosen troublesome ear wax and provide soothing relief. To apply, warm the olive oil to a lukewarm temperature. Test a drop on your fingertip before putting any oil in your child’s ear. The oil should be close to body temperature; fluids that are too hot or too cold can cause dizziness. Tip your child’s head to the side and, with an eyedropper, put 3–5 drops in the affected ear. You may put a piece of cotton in the ear as needed so that the oil doesn’t leak out. Do not put drops in the ear if your child has ear tubes, or if you think there is a chance that the eardrum has ruptured.
4. OTC numbing drops
Dr. Nguyen-Huynh recommends avoiding numbing drops. “The effect is very brief, and sometimes it does the opposite and stings the ear.”
5. Garlic
Garlic is a natural remedy for earache that has been used for thousands of years. Allicin, a compound in garlic, is said to be helpful in fighting bacterial infections that may be causing an earache.
Eating raw garlic is said to help reduce ear pain. However, garlic may interfere with antibiotics, so it is important to speak with a doctor before taking it.
6. Ice pack
Holding an ice pack or cold, damp washcloth to the ear for 20 minutes may help numb ear pain and reduce any potential inflammation that is causing it.
7.Warm olive oil in the ear
Chandrasekhar says there’s no proof this works but says it’s okay to try as long as the olive oil isn’t piping hot and there’s no hole in the eardrum. “It may soothe or it may not soothe,” she says. “If there’s no swollen eardrum, [olive oil] may not cause any harm whatsoever.”
8. The juice of an onion
Several articles and YouTube videos claim that onions are the secret to curing an earache, which is advice that supposedly dates back to the 1800s. Onions contain a flavonoid called quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. One method calls for heating an onion at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. Then, once it is cool, cut the onion in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Put a few drops of the juice into the ear. Or, you could place the onion half directly over the infected ear. Chandrasekhar says it’s “perfectly reasonable [to try it], but give yourself a time limit like, ‘Okay, if it’s still bothering me in three days I’m going to go in to see a doctor,’” she says.
Symptoms Of Ear Infections During Pregnancy
There are several symptoms of an ear infection.
- Earaches, which are severe and feel like a throbbing inside the ear
- Hearing loss
- Headache
- Fluid discharge from the ear
- A feeling of pressure inside the ear
- Swelling in the inner or middle ear
Also read: Things You Should Do Before You Go to Sleep: Health Trends
Medical treatments for ear infections during pregnancy
Check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter pain medication. Acetaminophen is considered safe during pregnancy, but you should avoid aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
In most cases, antibiotics are used to treat serious bacterial ear infections. However, during pregnancy, many antibiotics may not be safe to take. Your doctor can select the best option.
Your doctor will look inside your ear canal for inflammation. They may remove fluid to be tested.
If you have a serious bacterial ear infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ear drops that will need to be used for up to 2 weeks. Other treatments that may be safe during pregnancy include ear washes and ointments.
Also read: Side Effects Of Ginger And Who Should Never Use It