Do you or your child have a painful ear infection? A very common condition, most people suffer from at least one ear infection at some point, typically during childhood. Thankfully, there are several ear infection treatments you can try. Here are five ear infection treatments the doctors at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat in Thousand Oaks routinely recommend.

1. Antibiotics

Many parents who bring their child in to their Thousand Oaks doctor for ear infection treatment expect a prescription, and for good reason. A prescription antibiotic is the most popular treatment for ear infections in children. Unfortunately, however, antibiotics don't always work and they aren't always necessary, depending on the cause of the infection and the severity of your child's symptoms. Your child's doctor at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat can let you know if an antibiotic is a good option for you.

2. Pain Relievers

If you and your child's doctor choose not to use an antibiotic to treat the ear infection, there are still several treatments you can try. If your child's ear infection is very painful, you may want to treat the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to children.

3. Rest

Because ear infections can heal on their own over time, sometimes the best treatment for an ear infection that isn't too painful is simply to get plenty of rest. Resting can also help you avoid getting sick, which can lead to or further exacerbate an ear infection.

4. Heat

Another home treatment you may want to try is heat, which can be used to help ease the pain. Use a warm, wet washcloth with a younger child or a heating pad on the lowest setting with an older child.

5. Elevation

Lastly, keeping your child's head elevated can help any fluid or blockage drain from your child's ear, clearing up the ear and the infection along with it. Use a fluffy pillow for an older child or prop your infant's mattress slightly with a rolled up towel.

Ear infections can be quite painful, but thankfully, they don't generally last too long. Use these five ear infection treatments to find relief and be sure to call your doctor at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat in Thousand Oaks if you have any questions or if the above treatments don't work.