Home Ear, nose and throatEar diseases and infections Mucus in the ear: Causes and treatment

Mucus in the ear: Causes and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Several situations can cause the ears to plug; it is a reasonably common condition regardless of the age or sex of the person, although it is more frequent in children because their structures are not fully developed. This occurs due to an obstruction in the Eustachian tube or pharyngotympanic tube, a tube that connects the inner Ear with the pharynx and that, among its functions, is to drain the fluids produced in the Ear.

This blockage causes mucus to accumulate and symptoms such as not hearing well, perceiving a sound, or feeling that there is something inside the Ear, causing discomfort. Mostly it is not a matter of seriousness. Still, it is essential to see your doctor if this condition is causing you problems or if it is very constant, mainly to avoid complications such as otitis. For this reason, at FastlyHealwe want to inform you about mucus in the Ear: treatment.

Causes of mucus in the Ear

There are different causes why you can have mucus in the Ear. Presenting mucus in the Ear can be:

  • Due to more excellent production of this substance, for example, an infection.
  • Due to a blockage in the pharyngotympanic tube.

Mucus is usually produced inside the Ear and is kept regulated by its expulsion through the Eustachian tube, but when this structure becomes inflamed and fluids have no other outlet, they accumulate in the middle Ear, for example, due to allergies or infections. ; however, it can also be closed due to the increase in the size of the adenoids due to their location close to the Eustachian tube.

While excess mucus could be caused by a common coldsinusitis, allergy, or rhinitis, among others, this mucus is produced in the nose and, as there is no more space, it travels through the pharyngotympanic tube until it accumulates in the middle ear space, where it unbalances the pressure inside and outside the Ear, altering hearing capacity.

Medical treatment to remove mucus in the Ear

The use of drugs is not usually practical to reduce the mucus inside the Ear, although sometimes corticosteroids can be helpful in case of inflammation in the area. On the other hand, the doctor could prescribe medications to combat the factor that is causing the accumulation of fluids, which may include:

  • Antihistamines
  • Antibiotics
  • Decongestants

With this, the pharyngotympanic tube will be able to drain the mucus, and the hearing capacity will recover.

But if the drug treatment does not work, the specialist will probably indicate the tympanic drainage; it is a straightforward, fast, and painless procedure. A small cut is made in the eardrum, and the accumulated mucus is suctioned out.

If excess mucus recurs in the Ear, the most recommended is tympanic drainage with ventilation tubes, which begins as the previous procedure. Still, after eliminating the fluids, small boxes are placed in the cut of the eardrum, allowing communication between the middle Ear and the outer Ear, which favors the flow of air and the expulsion of mucus through the Ear. These tubes usually fall out on their own, although they can remain for up to 8 months approximately, and if the problem in the Ear is still present, it will be necessary to place some ventilation tubes again.

Mucus in the Ear: home remedies

Since this problem can be related to excess mucus in the nose, cleaning this area is the most effective solution. There are several home remedies in traditional medicine to remove mucus in the Ear.

Steam treatment

The best known is the steam treatment since it helps the mucus to loosen and it can come out quickly; you have to put a little hot water in a container; it also helps to add tea or some herbs such as chamomile and eucalyptus, then Places a towel that covers your head and reaches over it to breathe in the steam. The steam from a hot shower or a sauna works simultaneously.

Saline solution

You can also apply a saline solution to the nostrils, which favors the expulsion of mucus from the nose and, therefore, from the Ear. For the preparation, you need to properly mix 300 ml of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt without iodine. You must tilt your head to the left at an angle of 45 ° and, with the help of a rubber pear, a squeeze container, or a neti pot, pour the solution into the right nostril and let it flow out of the left nostril. Breathing should be through the mouth, and, in the end, you should blow your nose to do the same with the opposite nostril.

Natural decongestants

Another alternative is to use ointments with decongestants and anti-inflammatory properties. The best ones include mint, eucalyptus, or thyme, and you can buy them at any pharmacy or health food store. However, you could prepare it at home, but it is more elaborate.

Decongestant movements

If the accumulated mucus is little or of a liquid consistency, you can carry out some movements that favor the exit of said substance. To do this, you have to stand on one foot and keep the other raised until the end; then, you must tilt your head to the side of the affected Ear and, carefully so as not to lose your balance, push yourself up slowly without separating your foot from the ground. Perform the repetitions that you consider necessary. The second option is that you lie on the side of the Ear with mucus and rest your head on the pillow, staying like that for at least an hour so that the substance comes out by the force of gravity.

With compresses

Following the heat from the steam, placing a warm compress on the Ear with accumulated mucus makes this substance detach from the walls and can be expelled quickly. You need to lie down and stay with the compress for several minutes.

More natural treatments for mucus in the Ear

Also, other measures in the form of a supplement to combat mucus in the Ear is to stay well hydrated and include in your everyday diet foods that stimulate the immune system, with decongestant and expectorant properties, for example, garlic. However, it is essential to remember that these remedies are not a substitute for what is indicated by the doctor.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Mucus in the Ear: treatment , we recommend that you enter our category of Ear, nose and throat .

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