Ruptured eardrums can be quite painful, and during such instances, we might wonder how to alleviate the pain to some extent. Situations like this cannot be managed that easily at home, and most of the time it requires proper medical care and attention.

In addition to that, when it comes to ruptured eardrums, taking proper rest is also very important. But, if you are experiencing severe pain then you might find it quite difficult to take proper rest, as well as get some sleep. During such instances, you might also wonder what side should i sleep on with a ruptured eardrum.

Here, we will be taking a look at the sleeping positions that can be considered as the best if you are suffering from a ruptured eardrum. We will also be taking a look at some important tips that can promote faster healing.

In addition to that, we will also be going through some remedies that can be tried out if you are suffering from a ruptured eardrum. Keeping these points in mind will help in promoting faster healing. So, without wasting further time, let's see how you should be sleeping if you have a ruptured eardrum.

See what side should i sleep on with a ruptured eardrum..

  • It must be kept in mind that how you sleep is of immense importance when you are having a ruptured eardrum. If you sleep in an inappropriate manner, then it might worsen your condition to a great extent.
  • Likewise, if you sleep properly, then it will promote faster healing. The correct method of sleeping with a ruptured eardrum is actually very easy, and it is not as complicated as it might seem.
  • You must keep in mind that you should always keep pressure off the affected ear. This will help the ear to heal properly without giving rise to any other complications.
  • So, if you have a ruptured eardrum in one ear, then it is highly advisable that you lie down and sleep on the other side of the body. This way, you will not be putting any kind of pressure on the ear that has a ruptured eardrum.
  • So, if your left ear is affected, then you must sleep on the right side. In the same manner, if your right ear is affected then you should be sleeping on the left side.
  • On the other hand, if you have eardrum ruptures in both the ears, then you must sleep with the head elevated to a few inches above the rest of the body. To make it convenient, you should try to sleep on two pillows instead of a single one.

How to encourage faster healing?

  • In case you are wondering what side should i sleep on with a ruptured eardrum, then you might also want to know about some tips that can encourage faster healing. In the case of every health issue, how we are taking care of ourselves is very important, and it will determine the recovery period.
  • In the case of ruptured eardrums, it is highly recommended that you keep the ears dry at all times. It is advised that you plug your ears using cotton balls that have been slightly coated with Vaseline while washing your hair. This will prevent the water from entering into the affected ear.
  • Make sure that you are avoiding taking baths and going swimming until your healthcare provider advises you to do so. This will help in preventing the aggravation of the condition.
  • In spite of these measures, if water still enters your ears, then you must turn your head to one side. This will help the water to drain out of the affected ear.
  • Alternatively, you can also try pulling the earlobes in different directions. This will produce gentle suction that will help in draining out the water.  However, you should not pull the earlobes too harshly as it might aggravate the situation.
  • You can also use a blow dryer for drying the ears. But, you must make sure that you put the dryer on the lowest setting. In addition to that, you should always hold the dryer about 3 or 4 inches away from the ear. This will help in preventing unnecessary pressure, and irritation.

Some home remedies for managing ruptured eardrum

  • Now that we know, what side should i sleep on with a ruptured eardrum, let's take a look at some efficient home remedies that can be tried out if you are suffering from a ruptured eardrum. You will be relieved to hear that in most cases, the ruptured eardrums will heal on their own within a few weeks
  • Some people might try out the herbal remedies which have been traditionally used for the purpose of managing earache. But, when it comes to ruptured eardrums, these remedies are not that helpful. But still, if you want to give these remedies a try, then you can definitely go ahead with it. 
  • There are a number of herbs out there which contain effective chemicals that can fight off numerous bacterial infections. You can definitely give these herbs a try. For instance garlic oil prevents the growth of a number of harmful bacteria, as well as yeast. This in turn helps in preventing bacterial and yeast infections.
  • Tea tree oil also has the capability of killing different harmful bacteria. In addition to that, it also helps in preventing herpes outbreaks. You can also try using some sage oil and eucalyptus oil, as they also have amazing antibacterial properties.
  • Along with that, coneflower can also be regarded as an amazing option for managing ruptured eardrums. It contains aspirin like compounds which can help in easing the pain, and irritation. 

Conclusion

We have seen what side should i sleep on with a ruptured eardrum, how to encourage faster healing, as well as some home remedies that can be tried out for the management of this condition. However, it is always recommended that you get in touch with your health care provider during such instances, and thereafter, follow the instructions given by him or her. As we all know, every patient is different, and only the doctor will be able to decide which course of treatment is best for you.