Salt Therapy for Ear Infections

What is an Ear Infection?

Ever feel sick? Sometimes this is the result of an infection. Infections are caused by various types of pathogenic agents, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths, and prions. To infect a person, these agents usually go through a breach in the skin, or through the eyes, nose, or mouth. This is done through insect bites, liquids, air, and skin contact. Eventually, these microbes multiply within the body and invoke a response from the body’s immune system. [1]

Infections can affect many parts of the body. If ever you feel pain in your ear, then this can be a sign of an ear infection (also known as otitis media). Out of the usual agents that cause infections, ear infections are usually caused by viruses or bacteria. The pain associated with this comes from inflammation and fluid build up in the middle ear— the part of the ear just behind the eardrum. To treat the symptoms, patients typically are given pain medication and occasionally ear drops. If things worsen, especially if the problem is caused by bacteria, then antibiotics may be prescribed.[2]

How Can Salt Therapy Help?

Salt therapy, as an alternative treatment to use alongside primary treatments, is known to help the body in many ways. For those seeking to beautify their skin, it may help with pH levels. For those looking to ease their discomfort with respiratory issues, it may help lower inflammation.[3]

In addition to these benefits, salt therapy may also help those suffering from ear infections.[4] To do this, salt therapy sessions rely on a halogenerator. First, salt is poured into the machine. The machine then crushes the salt into fine particles. Afterwards, they are blown out into the open air of the facility. Those occupying a salt booth, or salt room, either benefit from inhaling these particles. or by letting them settle on the ailing areas. [5]

Evidence for this being effective has been recorded. In one study,[6] a salt therapy device was tested to investigate its effects upon those suffering from ear infections. While one group of pediatric patients received salt therapy, the other received only standard care. This took place for one year, with assessments taken within each month of the year. When the year ended, it was found that ear infection flare-ups decreased within those who received salt therapy, as opposed to those who didn’t. The researchers concluded that salt aerosol does have a positive impact.

The reason behind salt therapy’s success in reducing ear infection may be due to its anti- microbial properties. For most bacteria, salt can be deadly. To kill, salt uses osmosis as its weapon. Whenever salt is present on one side of the bacteria’s membrane, water will move through from the other side to join the salt. This eventually kills the bacteria, as bacteria needs water to function internally.[7] Similarly, salt acts against viruses. Within the body itself, salt already plays an important role in helping to signal an effective anti-viral response from the immune system.[8] However, externally, it has also been shown to be effective against viruses upon contact. For example, a study found that facemasks with a special salt-covered filter were effective in virus-deactivation.[9]

If you’ve any discomfort in your ears, don’t hesitate to go to the doctor. And if you seek further comfort for the problem, alongside primary care, do give our salt therapy services a try!

Sources:

[1.] Institute of Medicine. (2011). What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

[2.] Normandin, B. (2019, March 7). Ear Infections. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/ear-infections

[3.] Salt Therapy Association. (2018). Benefits of Salt Therapy. Salt Therapy Association. Retrieved from: https://www.salttherapyassociation.org/benefits-of-salt-therapy

[4.] Sandu, Ion & Chirazi, Marin & Canache, Maria & Alexianu, Marius & Sandu, Andrei Victor & Vasilache, Viorica. (2013). Research on NaCl saline aerosols I. natural and artificial sources and their implications. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal. 9 (60), 883.

[5.] EPIC Services. (2020, July 16). What is Salt Therapy? EPIC Services. Retrieved from: https://www.epicservices.co/blog-1/2020/7/16/what-is-salt-therapy

[6.] Horowitz, S. (2010). Salt Cave Therapy: Rediscovering the Benefits of an Old Preservative. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 16(3), 161-162.

[7.] Walsh, E. (2019, July 2). How to Kill Bacteria with Salt. Sciencing. Retrieved from: https://sciencing.com/kill-bacteria-salt-12029250.html

[8.] Zhang WC, Du LJ, Zheng XJ, Chen XQ, Shi C, Chen BY, Sun XN, Li C, Zhang YY, Liu Y, Xiao H, Leng Q, Jiang X, Zhang Z, Sun S, Duan SZ. (2018). Elevated sodium chloride drives type I interferon signaling in macrophages and increases antiviral resistance. J Biol Chem, 293(3), 1030-1039.

[9.] Quan FS, Rubino I, Lee SH, Koch B, Choi HJ. (2017). Universal and reusable virus deactivation system for respiratory protection. Sci Rep, 7.