Earaches: How to Relieve the Pain, Speed Healing, and Calm the Screaming
It always seems to happen at night, doesn’t it? Your little one starts tugging at their ear, whimpering in discomfort. You try everything—adjusting their pillow, offering a drink, even their favorite stuffy—but nothing seems to help.
Do they have an infection?
Should you head to urgent care?
Or is there a way to soothe this at home?
Before we dive into natural remedies, let’s take a step back and talk about what’s actually happening when your child complains of ear pain.
Earache vs. Ear Infection: What’s the Difference?
Not all earaches are ear infections! Knowing the difference can help you decide your next steps with confidence.
Signs It’s Not an Ear Infection
Your child may have an earache, but that doesn’t always mean there’s an infection. Some common causes of non-infectious ear pain include:
Congestion from a cold (fluid buildup behind the eardrum can cause discomfort)
Teething pain (pain can radiate to the ears)
Sinus pressure
Changes in altitude (like on an airplane)
If your child’s pain comes and goes, they have no fever, and they seem generally well otherwise, it’s likely not a full-blown infection.
Signs It May Be an Ear Infection
Persistent ear pain that worsens over time, along with any of the following symptoms, could indicate an infection:
Fever over 100.4°F
Fussiness, trouble sleeping, or excessive crying
Ear drainage (fluid, pus, or blood from the ear)
Loss of balance or changes in hearing
Still not sure? My Let Me Feel Your Forehead checklist is designed to help you evaluate symptoms clearly and decide your next steps with confidence.
Download the free checklist here →
Are Antibiotics Really the Best Option?
For decades, the go-to treatment for ear infections has been antibiotics. A child tugs their ear → parent calls the doctor → a prescription is called in without much discussion.
But science now tells a different story.
One study found that 70% of ear infections are caused by viruses.
Antibiotics do NOTHING against viral infections.
Ear infections heal within 7-10 days—whether antibiotics are used or not.
Antibiotics are a major medical advancement and can be life-saving when truly necessary, but they’re not without their risks—especially when overused. The more we rely on antibiotics for minor illnesses, the more we contribute to antibiotic resistance, making future infections harder to treat. Beyond resistance, antibiotics also disrupt the gut microbiome, wiping out both harmful and beneficial bacteria. Since the gut plays a major role in immune function, digestion, and even mood regulation, frequent antibiotic use can leave kids more prone to recurring infections, food sensitivities, and weakened immunity.
Whenever possible, it’s best to support the body’s natural healing process first—reserving antibiotics for cases where they are truly necessary.
Why Do Ear Infections Happen?
There’s a reason why earaches tend to spike after the holidays or during colder months:
Excessive Sugar – Too much sugar weakens the immune system, making it easier for infections to take hold.
Lack of Sleep – Busy schedules and disrupted sleep leave the body more vulnerable.
Cold & Damp Exposure – Cold wind on the ears and neck can contribute to congestion buildup. I always insist on neck covering!
I’m a huge fan of prevention, which is why I’m always advocating anything that strengthens our kids’ immune systems. I’m not suggesting that kids should never get sick, but the more resilient their immune systems, the less sick they become and the more quickly they recover - win/win all around!
If you’re a family that struggles with recurrent ear infections, the most effective long-term results are found with lifestyle and dietary changes-anything that heals kids gut microbiomes and bolsters their immune systems - especially when they’re not actively sick.
Natural Remedies for Earaches & Ear Infections
There’s a great advantage to having a few natural therapies for earaches in your medicine chest, as they can often help relieve pain even more quickly than antibiotics.
My TOP recommendations for both prevention and taking action at the first sign of symptoms:
Less sugar, or even better none. It’s super important to eliminate sugar if there are even the slightest hint of symptoms, as sugar feeds the infection causing pathogens.
More naps, early bedtimes, and pulling back on packed schedules
Keep necks warm (even indoors) with turtleneck shirts, bandanas, or scarves. You’ll be surprised how effective this is!
Once you’re got those in place, begin working through this list implementing as many ideas as possible until the earache eases.
1. Probiotics. Strengthening the Gut = Strengthening Immunity
Did you know that ear infections are often linked to gut health?
80% of the immune system resides in the gut—so a healthy microbiome plays a huge role in preventing infections.
Kids who have taken antibiotics in the past are more prone to recurring ear infections.
Healthy bacteria in the gut is essential for normal immune function, so boosting microbiome health is a foundational treatment. Supplemental probiotics and/or using ‘live cultured foods’ like sauerkraut as a condiment are especially valuable ways to rebuild if your patient has ever had antibiotics (including through their mother at birth). Studies have shown that the microbiome is still altered even 31 months after a single round of antibiotics, which is when the study concluded and they stopped checking.
Unfortunately, yogurt is not the best choice when it comes to live cultured foods, as dairy’s mucus qualities can complicate this clogged ear thing for some people. Also, since few kids will eat it plain, the sugar is an issue again.
Best probiotic for ear infections?
An excellent probiotic when there’s tendency towards ear infections is Biotics Research Children’s ENT-Pro lozenges. This link gives you assess (Biotics is a practitioner-only brand) in my earache protocol on Fullscript, my online pharmacy source.
2. Keep Bowels Moving
It may not be the first thing you think of, but if nothing is moving out, infections are harder to clear! Respiratory symptoms are lessened with optimal bowel health, and when we have less mucus, we have less ear pressure - in turn relieving pain.
Aim for 1-3 healthy bowel movements per day
Support with magnesium citrate, Epsom salt baths, applesauce, fresh fruits & veggies (even juiced)
Avoid processed foods and dairy, which can increase mucus production
3. Warm Fluids = Natural Drainage Support
Hydration is key for clearing out congestion and preventing fluid buildup in the ears.
Herbal teas (like chamomile or elderflower - or my Be Well Family Immune Tea)
Homemade broth (nutrient-packed and soothing!)
Warm lemon water with honey
❌ Avoid sugary drinks like hot chocolate—opt for raw honey or real maple syrup instead.
4. Hyland’s Homeopathic Ear Drops
These gentle homeopathic ear drops can be given orally or applied topically in the ears. I’ve seen quick relief with these drops—definitely a must-have in your natural medicine chest!
💊 Find them here → [Affiliate Link]
5. Warm Compress or Heating Pad
Applying gentle warmth to the affected ear can relieve pain and encourage drainage.
You could try one of these:
Fill a sock with coarse sea salt, warm it up, and rest it on the ear.
Use a hot water bottle or heating pad for soothing relief.
6. Essential Oils for Earaches
While essential oils should never be dropped into the ear canal, they can be applied topically around the ear for support.
My favorite essential oils for ear pain:
+ Melrose (antimicrobial)
+ Tea Tree Oil (antimicrobial)
+ Immune-supporting blends
How to use: Dilute 1-2 drops in 1 tbsp carrier oil (like coconut or olive oil) and gently massage around the ear.
I recommend starting at the little dent under the ear, where the hinge of the jaw joins the skull, then gently stroke down, following the crease behind and under the jawbone. Repeat many times, and encourage your child to do the same. This motion encourages fluid to drain from the Eustachian tubes.
How to Tell When It’s Time for Extra Support
Most earaches can be safely managed at home, but sometimes, a little extra support is helpful.
Here are a few signs that a visit with a doctor or other care provider might be helpful:
+ Ear pain that lasts more than 48 hours without improvement
+ Fever over 102°F
+ Dizziness, hearing loss, or trouble balancing
+ Swelling around the ear
+ Fluid, pus, or blood draining from the ear
Want help evaluating symptoms and deciding if more support is needed? In my free webinar, Where to Start When the Kids Are Sick, I walk you through exactly how to assess symptoms, decide when to treat at home, and know when it’s time to seek medical care.
Watch the free webinar + download my "Let Me Feel Your Forehead" checklist here →
And if you’re looking for even more natural ways to relieve ear pain, shorten recovery time, and strengthen your child’s immune system, my online course Get Well Soon is full of even more simple, effective tools to help you handle earaches and more with confidence.
Earaches are a pretty common call for help from parents I work with. I bet we’ve all had a night like these parents:
"Our baby girl had a really hard night last night. She was up a lot, and couldn't be consoled. She would maybe fall asleep for an hour at most, and then start crying; it seemed like she was in pain but there was no temperature. She ate, but not like normal. She'd gnaw her fist while we walked her...but then she'd just cry again. She doesn't want to be put down, but then bucks me if I try to put her in the carrier.”
Only one hour after using these suggestions they reported: "We tried the Melrose behind her ears diluted with coconut oil, and it perked her right up. We're getting big smiles, and she's seeming more like herself."
24 hours after our phone consult: "She slept almost all yesterday and pretty well through the night. She was up just a few times to eat and change diapers. As soon as I put on the oil she wanted food and has been eating much better. Our older child used to get ear infections, but I forgot about them!"
