Ear Infections: Holistic Treatment & Support

2 nurses, 1 topic: Ear Infections

This guide and Instagram post was a collaboration with Jessica, FNP. She is a functional nurse practitioner with her own practice providing holistic care to local families in her community.

An ear infection is inflammation and infection of the ear, often caused by bacteria or viruses. It can affect different parts of the ear (outer, middle, or inner) leading to pain, discomfort, and sometimes temporary hearing issues.

Types of Ear Infections

• Outer Ear Infection (Otitis Externa / Swimmer’s Ear) Infection or inflammation of the ear canal, usually caused by bacteria or fungi. Common in swimmers or those who frequently have moisture in the ear. Symptoms include ear pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes drainage.

• Middle Ear Infection (Otitis Media) Infection behind the eardrum in the middle ear. Often occurs after a cold or respiratory infection, especially in children. Symptoms include ear pain, fluid buildup, hearing difficulty, and sometimes fever. Subtypes include:

  • Acute Otitis Media: Rapid onset infection with noticeable pain and possible fever.

  • Otitis Media with Effusion: Fluid remains in the middle ear without active infection; can cause mild hearing loss or a feeling of fullness in the ear.

  • Recurrent Otitis Media: Multiple episodes of acute infections over a short period

• Inner Ear Infection (Labyrinthitis / Vestibular Neuritis) Infection or inflammation of the inner ear, often viral. Affects balance and hearing, sometimes causing vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and hearing changes. Less common than outer or middle ear infections and warrants medical treatment.

Risk Factors (who is most susceptible)

• Age (children, especially under 5, are more prone)

• Recent colds or upper respiratory infections

• Allergies

• Exposure to smoke or irritants

• Swimming or frequent water exposure

Root causes of ear infection: 

• Viral: Viruses can directly infect the ear or weaken the body’s defenses, creating conditions where bacteria thrive. Common viral root causes include:

  • Upper respiratory infections (colds, flu, RSV, adenovirus): These inflame the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes, leading to fluid buildup in the middle ear.

  • Viral sinus infections: Congestion and pressure changes can spread into the ear canal.

  • Measles, influenza, or other systemic viral illnesses: Less common today but still possible, especially in children.

  • Weakened immunity during viral illness: Allows opportunistic infections to take hold.

• Bacterial: Bacteria often invade after a viral illness has already caused congestion and fluid retention. Root causes include:

  • Secondary infection after a viral cold/flu: Trapped fluid in the middle ear becomes a breeding ground for bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae.

  • Sinus infections: Bacteria spread from the sinuses to the ear.

  • Allergies: Cause inflammation and fluid buildup that can predispose the ear to bacterial overgrowth.

  • Anatomical factors: Enlarged adenoids, cleft palate, or chronic congestion can impair drainage and increase bacterial infection risk.

• Swimmer’s ear (external ear infection)

  • Can be caused after swimming when the water does not all drain from the ear canal. Since it is a dark space and now moisture is in there as well, there is the increased possibility of bacteria present from the water, infection can occur. This type of infection usually causes more pain externally, sometimes even itching. 

• Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: 

  • The cause of the actual infection is lack of drainage in the eustachian tube. This tube connects to the nasal sinuses and drains. In children the tube is more horizontal vs in adults it is more vertical, allowing gravity to more easily assist with drainage. This is often why we see a decrease in ear infection frequency as kids get older and in adults. However, even in adults, if there is swelling in the tubes or around the tubes, whether from colds, allergies, or even if the adenoids are enlarged; drainage can become impaired causing bacteria/viruses to cause an infection. 

Prevention Tips (Holistic & Practical)

• Encourage hand hygiene and reduce exposure to colds/viruses

• Limit secondhand smoke exposure

• Keep ears dry after swimming or baths

• Support immune health with nutrient-rich diet and hydration

  • Immune Support Guide: How to Strengthen Your Immune System and Support Natural Healing

Otoscope

When planning on treating ear infections (especially if using home remedies), having an otoscope on hand is important! Reminder - pull down on the earlobe when looking into a child's ear under 3 years old. Pull up on the earlobe when looking into an older child's or adults' ear!

Here are links to a few options:

• Otoscope 1: This one includes a picture chart and a hard case

• Otoscope 2: This one is an ear camera which may provide a better picture

• Otoscope 3: This is a variation with a soft case (the one I have!)

Here is a simple video on how to hold an otoscope.

Here are 2 charts of what you may see through the otoscope. The chart above shows simply what a normal, infected, or perforated eardrum may look like. The chart to the side is a bit more complex with a few more common ear disorders pictured.

Traditional treatment:

Traditional treatment for otitis media includes antibiotics which are often prescribed at the first sign of ear infection, whether viral or bacterial. There are a few pediatricians who will wait and see if antibiotics are absolutely necessary before prescribing.

Amoxicillin or Augmentin are first line for these and typically taken twice a day for 5-10 days.

Traditional treatment for otitis externa, swimmers ear, is antibiotic ear drops and in some cases oral as well. In addition to this, they suggest avoiding swimming for a few days to allow the infection to clear and to keep the ears dry.

Holistic treatment: 

Lymph Massage: can be very beneficial for both otitis media and externa. You do this by using your hand to massage down from around your ear and jaw down towards your collarbone. 

Here is a video example of lymph massage around the ears. It can be done a few different ways, but the important part is to start and end at the collarbone, and massage down around the ears

Ear oil:

• Garlic oil: Garlic has long been used as a natural remedy for infections because it contains allicin, a compound with strong antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Garlic oil drops can help:

  • Soothe pain by calming inflammation in the ear canal.

  • Fight bacteria and viruses that may be contributing to the infection.

  • Support immune function locally, right where the infection is brewing.

• Colloidal silver: Colloidal or ionic silver has been traditionally used as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, known to inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When used as drops in the ear:

  • It may target infection-causing microbes and prevent further spread.

  • It can reduce irritation and support healing of inflamed tissue.

  • Some parents use it alongside garlic oil for a synergistic effect.

  • Silver works differently than herbs as it interferes with microbial replication and weakens pathogens so the body can clear them out more easily.

  • If using just colloidal silver, apply 1-2 drops into the ear, then drain it back out in 5 minutes.

• Recommendations:

  • Rowe Casa Earache Oil contains both garlic and colloidal silver

  • Earthley Earache Ease: Natalie10off for 10% off

    • contains mullein which is antibacterial

  • Hylands Naturals Ear Drops: homeopathic remedy

Homeopathy:

• Belladonna: Chosen when the ear infection comes on suddenly with intense pain, redness, and throbbing. The child may also have a high fever, flushed cheeks, and sensitivity to light/noise.

• Pulsatilla: Useful when the pain is shifting, mild to moderate, and the child is clingy, whiny, or seeking comfort. Often used when earaches follow a cold, with thick yellow/green mucus. Symptoms are often worse at night and better with fresh air.

• Chamomilla: Considered when the pain is severe and makes the child extremely irritable and inconsolable. One ear may be red and hot. The child might seem angry or hypersensitive to touch/pain.

• Hepar sulphuris: Used if the pain is sharp, sticking, or feels like a splinter. Ears may be sensitive to the slightest touch or draft. The infection may be moving toward pus formation.

• Ferrum phosphoricum: Often recommended in the early stages of an ear infection, especially when there is fever, redness, and mild pain but not yet severe symptoms.

• Silicea: Chosen when infections are recurrent or when fluid/discharge seems trapped behind the eardrum. May be useful in children prone to repeated earaches.

Breastmilk has antimicrobial properties. Can put a few drops in and around the ear

Warm compresses can also help alleviate some of the pain and help with drainage. Can use a warm wet washcloth, hot pack, or a bag of warm water.

Staying hydrated can help thin any mucous out and allow for easier drainage. 

Chewing gum and yawning can help to open the tubes as well and promote drainage. 

Hydrogen peroxide can help clear out any ear wax that could be hindering the healing process. Does not heal infection, use sparingly.

Chiropractic care by a licensed chiropractor including adjustments of the ears can help with the flow through the eustachian tubes.

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Treatment Cheat Sheet

At first sign of illness/congestion, start with facial lymph massage several times a day. If your child is prone to ear infections, consider a visit to the chiropractor before ear pain starts. 

Once a confirmed infection with an otoscope:

1. apply warm compress to affected ear

2. lymph massage

3. apply garlic oil / colloidal silver into ear and allow to sit for 5 mins before draining. Follow with Hyland’s Naturals eardrops or Earthley Earache Ease for pain relief (I would rotate between the two). 

Repeat these steps every 4 hours! If child has a fever, remember to support the fever rather than suppress it to help the body fight the infection. 

Consider medical treatment if no improvement in 3 days.

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When to seek medical treatment:

Typically, an ear infection will clear up with holistic methods within 3-5 days. Some lasting up to 7. Typical suggestions are to try holistic methods for about 3 days, or as long as your child tolerates.

Seek medical care: (antibiotics may be warranted in these situations)

• If symptoms persist without improvement by day 3

• If any drainage that looks like blood or pus occurs from the ear

• If swelling of external ear or surrounding area occurs

If ear drum is perforated, and would like to try managing symptoms holistically, NOTHING can enter ear canal, but lymph massage, hydration, chiropractic care, chewing gum, and warm compresses can all still be very helpful. Ear oil or remedies cannot be put in the ear, but it can be put around the ear externally which may provide some benefit.

If dizziness occurs, seek medical treatment as this most likely turned into an inner ear infection and can affect balance and hearing.

Ear infections can also have fevers accompany them. Check out the full fever guide with how to support and treat fevers, and when to get medical care: Fever Guide: Home Remedies or ER?

We hope that this guide is helpful for you and your children in navigating how to support ear infections at home! As always, this is not medical advice. If you ever have concerns or a gut feeling that something is wrong, talk to your trusted provider. You got this!