Homeopathic treatment of swimmer’s ear
As swimming becomes a favorite activity, many parents fear swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear or external otitis usually affects children and adolescents who do water activities in swimming pools or lakes.
Swimmer’s ear is an inflammation of the external canal that occurs after water is trapped in the ear after swimming, bathing, or showering. The inflammation is usually caused by gram-negative rods (Pseudomonas or Proteus) or by fungi (Aspergillus) that thrive in a moist environment.
Symptoms of swimmer’s ear, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, are as follows:
- itchy ear
- feeling that the ear is blocked or full
- bread around the ear
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- decrease hearing
- fever
- tenderness in the earlobes
Swimmer’s ear is not usually a dangerous infection and alternative methods of treatment can be helpful. “Homeopathic medicine is safe and natural, based on the principle of treating as equals,” according to Gad Cohen, homeopath and naturopath. Homeopathic remedies work with the whole person to eliminate the cause of the disease rather than the disease alone. “The treatment is highly personalized and the homeopathic remedy is chosen according to the symptoms presented,” says Dr. Cohen. The power chosen should be in the lower range of 6X to 30C. The patient should take the remedy every two to three hours while awake.
homeopathic treatment
Aconitum napellus: It is useful for the sudden onset of ear pain and for acute cases of fever. The patient wakes up at night in pain, anxious, and frightened and worsens after exposure to cold, dry winds.
belladonna atropa: It is effective for earaches that come on suddenly with severe throbbing pain, fever, or sweating. The patient has a flushed face, worse with movement, but better with warmth, and is not thirsty. Symptoms are worse at night.
Pulsatilla: Useful for earaches accompanied by greenish-yellow discharge from the ear, the patient is sensitive to heat, the ear is painful and hot, and the cheeks are pale. The patient is not thirsty and has a high fever.
mercury solubilis: for earaches with high fever, presence of thick nasal or ear discharge, sweating, bad breath and irritability. The pain is worse at night.
Hepar sulfuris: used for painful earache at night, the ear is sensitive to touch and cold sensation. Symptoms improve with applications of heat.
chamomile: It is useful when the symptoms worsen with heat, but improve with movement, especially if the child is moved from one side to another. A good remedy especially for earaches associated with teething.
Most homeopathic remedies are sold in pharmacies or health food stores. However, if the pain or fever persists for more than 24 hours, you should see your doctor.
