Ear infections commonly plague children, and also affect some adults. The infection usually affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The Eustachian tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. The resulting pain and itching can become almost unbearable, causing difficulty sleeping and leaving you even more miserable the next day. If you are at your wits end on how to sleep with an ear infection, here are some useful tips to help ease the discomfort.
How to Sleep with an Ear Infection
• Since the eustachian tube for the infected ear can only drain into the throat, try keeping the infected ear elevated by sleeping on the opposite side of the one infected. This way the tube will be …show more content…
However, when using a decongestant nose spray, only use it for a day or two, to avoid worsening the nasal congestion.
• Place a few drops of garlic or olive oil, and a drop of lobelia or mullein oil (available at local pharmacies), in the infected ear, then use cotton balls to plug your ears loosely.
How to Ease the Pain of an Ear Infection
Unfortunately, children do not know how to sleep with an ear infection. When an ear infection strikes, there are several things you can do to soothe your child until you can get them to the pediatrician.
• Use children ibuprofen or acetaminophen (when fever is present), but never use aspirin for pain, and don't bother using cold remedies.
• To help ease some of the pressure, elevate your child’s head when sleeping. If the child is over two years old and no longer sleeps in a crib, it's fine to use a pillow when resting.
• Keep your child upright in a car seat when travelling.
• Applying a warm moist towel near your younger child’s infected ear may also be of some help. With older children you may want to use a heating pad, but remember to keep the heating pad on its lowest setting and never use heating pads with