Doctors: Home remedies for ear pain can be risky

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Some residents of western Ghor province say they treat ear pain using traditional remedies such as onion juice and warm mustard oil.

On the other hand, doctors warn such methods are dangerous, urging people to visit health centres instead for treatment and relief.

Many locals rely on traditional treatment due to economic hardships and the remote location of health centres. They often treat common illnesses at home or purchase medicine without prescriptions.

Sara, a resident of Ferozkoh, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “We don’t always take our sick family members to the doctor. When my son has earache, I warm mustard oil and pour it into his ear. It usually helps.”

She added they rarely visited doctors due to financial constraints. In case of common ailments, she confirmed, many people had to be content with home remedies.

Similarly, Maryam, from Dawlatabad district, shared her child recently suffered from otalgia, her mother-in-law advised her to treat him with onion juice.

She explained: “My mother-in-law believes medicines contain chemicals that can harm children’s ears. But instead of relieving the pain, the onion juice made it worse, and I had to take my child to the doctor.”

Doctors later informed her if she had not brought the child to hospital, the infection could have damaged his eardrum, leading to a hearing loss, she recalled.

Razia, who hails from the same district, said in her village, several generations had relied on traditional treatment for earaches. She admitted her own family still practiced such methods.

“When my son had ear pain, my elders advised me to put Naswar (chewing tobacco) mixed with flour into his ear, but it only worsened the infection,” she explained.

Asked why they did not go for medical treatment, Razia responded: “We cannot afford medical care. Visiting a health centre requires money, which we don’t have. In winter, travel becomes even more difficult.”

Doctors warn against self-medication

Doctors emphasise that self-medication, even for minor illnesses, could be dangerous.

Dr. Mohammad Sharif Qazizada, an ENT specialist in Ghor, noted inhabitants of many villages, particularly in Dawlatyar district, still relied on traditional remedies for ear pain.

“Many villagers avoid medical treatment due to fear of medical procedures, lack of trust in the healthcare system and inadequate access to health centres.”

Dr. Qazizada warned self-treatment for any illness, including ear pain, was dangerous. He stressed the need to raise awareness about the risks of traditional treatment and encourage people to seek proper medical care.

He urged families to avoid self-medication and take ailing relatives to healthcare centres to prevent further complications.

Meanwhile, authorities say qualified doctors are available to treat patients at health centres in the districts, as well as in the provincial capital.

Public Health Director Dr. Abdul Sattar Mowafaq also cautioned against self-treatment for ear pain and other illnesses.

He assured: “Doctors are available in all districts to provide general medical care, including ear treatment and basic health services.”

He assured they were striving to appoint ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialists in all districts of the province to address people’s health concerns.

kk/mud