You can sometimes relieve ear congestion at home, avoiding a trip to the doctor. However, if a fever persists or you have other pains and discomforts, you should seek the advice of a doctor.
Instructions
1. Gently clean out ear with a cotton swab. Don't put anything on the swab, and just do a quick swipe. Many people do more damage while thrusting a cotton swab into their ears.
2. Soak two cotton balls with olive oil, and place one in each ear. Let them sit for 15 minutes. Remove cotton balls and discard.
3. Run a vaporizer or humidifier in your bedroom at night. Oftentimes the ear congestion is a symptom of a chest cold or nasal congestion. By adding moisture to the air, you can help alleviate the congestion.
4. Try sleeping upright, or at least add a few pillows to your bed. This can help any sinus drainage from backing up in your nasal passage and ears.
5. Take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen if the ear congestion is painful. If the pain is severe or is accompanied by a fever, schedule a visit with your doctor.
Tags: cotton balls, cotton swab
