Is it effective to use fragrant oil drops for otitis media?

Nov 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Lu Cheng

Introduction

In general, treating otitis media with sesame oil drops is usually ineffective and may worsen the condition in certain cases. To relieve ear discomfort, it is important to keep the ear canal clean and dry, and avoid instilling any unknown liquids into the ear. Take protective measures during bathing or swimming to prevent contaminated water from entering the ear. If symptoms such as ear pain, ear fullness, or pus discharge occur, seek medical attention promptly to determine the cause and follow professional medical advice for appropriate medication.

Under normal circumstances, applying sesame oil to the ear for otitis media is generally ineffective and may worsen the condition in specific cases. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Sesame oil primarily consists of unsaturated fatty acids and lacks anti-inflammatory or antibacterial properties, thus it cannot address the infectious causes of otitis media. During an episode of otitis media, inflammatory secretions are present in the ear canal. Adding sesame oil can block the ear canal, preventing the discharge of secretions and leading to pus accumulation, which aggravates symptoms such as ear fullness and pain. Moreover, since sesame oil is not sterile, applying it into a ruptured eardrum or inflamed ear canal may introduce bacteria, causing secondary infection and further worsening the condition.

To relieve ear discomfort, it's important to keep the ear canal clean and dry, and avoid instilling any unknown liquids on your own. Take protective measures during bathing or swimming to prevent contaminated water from entering the ear. If symptoms such as ear pain, ear fullness, or pus discharge occur, seek medical attention promptly to determine the underlying cause and follow a doctor’s instructions for treatment with appropriate medications. In daily life, avoid frequent ear canal probing to reduce the risk of eardrum damage, maintain regular作息 (sleep patterns), strengthen overall health, and lower the likelihood of developing otitis media.

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