Red light lamp for earache

If you've ever suffered from ear pain, you know it's no joke. The pain is ever-present and catches up to you with almost every everyday movement. Maybe you know exactly what we're talking about here.

You want to drink something cold? The earache is becoming unbearable. You feel like playing a round of sports? The pain in your ears is slowing you down. Your children suffer from earache? You notice how badly they are feeling.

Regardless of how ear pain is affecting you at the moment, quick relief is needed. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol - but also ASA - can help. But if medication isn't your first choice or doesn't have enough effect, what can you do for the affected ear?

Possibly, red light therapy is a solution. The warming light of red lamps has been considered an effective home remedy for decades. But can red light lamps really relieve the severe pain and discomfort? And if so, how?

Exciting fact in advance: There are now red light lamps that have nothing to do with the heat lamps of the past. They are operated with LEDs and are supposed to work in a different way. What these lamps can do and whether they should also be used for earaches, you will also learn in this article.

Is heat good for earache?

Many people make a mistake: they confuse a red light lamp with a heat lamp. Yes, it's true: Heat lamps are often also available under the name red light lamp. And yes, they are characterized - in addition to their warming effect - by their red light. But there is a difference:

Heat lamps, as you may know them from physio practices, have a thermal or warming effect. This is generated by a filament in the lamp. Modern red light lamps, on the other hand, use LEDs. And as you may know, they do not get warm or even hot. But: Their cold light works with very specific wavelengths to create an effect. And these can help with earaches.

Back to the question of this section: Is heat good for earache?

In principle, mild to moderate earaches can be relieved by heat. For acute symptoms, you can place a hot water bottle on the painful ear and enjoy the warming effect for a few minutes. Or you can irradiate your ear with a heat lamp for a few minutes. Both can relieve the pain - and both are considered proven home remedies for earaches.

LED red light lamp as an alternative?

As already mentioned, modern red light lamps, such as our Lichtblock Uno, have no significant warming effect. The application of such lamps is not about their warming effect, but about the effect of the light emitting diodes (LEDs). Their cold light works with very specific wavelengths to achieve an effect.

LED technology is characterized by high light intensity with minimal heat generation. Therefore, in German-speaking countries we also speak of 'cold red light' when describing treatment with an LED red light lamp.

But how can the cold red light work?

In the human body, there are enzymes that can absorb photons from certain wavelengths. These enzymes are located in our mitochondria. Maybe you remember from your biology class: mitochondria are considered the power plants of the cells.

But what does that have to do with red light now?

Certain wavelengths of light between 600 and 1100 nm can have a special effect on mitochondria. Red light can have an effect on the superficial skin structures. Near-infrared light can penetrate further into the tissue and have an influence there.

Therapy with near-infrared red light can help the mitochondria to better make energy available to the body in the form of the energy carrier adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In addition, near-infrared light and red light can support the organism in regeneration processes. For example, the light can fuel protein production and thus promote cell repair.

A particularly positive effect for ear pain: irradiating the ears with a modern red light lamp can cause the blood vessels in the ear area to dilate, thus improving blood circulation. This, in turn, can lead to an improved supply of macro- and micronutrients to the tissues. Plus: immune cells can better reach the tissues. And that's desirable when you're in pain.

Is red light good for otitis media?

Middle ear infections are not to be trifled with. This means: If you suspect you have this disease, then go to the ENT doctor. Here you will get a diagnosis and the right treatment for the inflammation.

Nevertheless, you can use red light as a supplement to your treatment - but ideally in consultation with your doctor.

The supplementary radiation with red light can be worthwhile. After all, the medications you are prescribed promote your healing. The infrared light, on the other hand, can provide quick relief. And that's worth its weight in gold for earaches, isn't it?

How does the red light provide relief?

As already mentioned, infrared radiation can provide strong relief for chronic ear pain. Among other things, the radiation can stimulate blood circulation and thus stimulate the metabolism of the diseased ear. This in turn leads to the fact that inflammatory secretions can flow out of the ear canal and pain relief occurs.

The same can also help relieve the pain of a middle ear infection.

Treat otitis media in children

In some circumstances, it is not you but your child who is affected by the painful inflammation. This is actually nothing unusual. This is because children suffer relatively frequently from middle ear infections, especially when they are young - between six months and six years old. This is due, among other things, to their short eustachian tube, which can swell quite quickly in the event of an inflammation. And that, in turn, can lead to a deterioration in pressure equalization and the drainage of fluids.

Red light lamp for otitis media

If your children suffer from earaches or even a middle ear infection, you can irradiate the affected ear with red light for up to ten minutes. Caution: If you use a red light heat lamp, please ensure a minimum distance of 50 centimeters. Otherwise burns could occur. With modern LED red light lamps, you and your child can keep a distance of at least 20 cm.

Is red light anti-inflammatory?

The anti-inflammatory effect of near-infrared and red light has been and is being investigated in a wide variety of studies. Some of them confirm that red light can have an anti-inflammatory effect. And this both in the prophylactic sense - that is, before the inflammation arises - and in acute inflammation.

"PBM is able to upregulate antioxidant defense and reduce oxidative stress. It has been shown [in a study] that PBM can activate cells. One of the most reproducible effects of PBM is an overall reduction in inflammation. [...] PBM can reduce inflammation in the brain, abdominal fat, wounds, lungs, and spinal cord."

PBM - this is photobiomodulation. And this is what we are talking about when we talk about modern red light therapy. PBM is the further development of classic red light therapy, as you know it from the past with a heat lamp.

Photobiomodulation thus makes use of special LED light waves from a light spectrum of the red and near-infrared range, which can be absorbed particularly well by the cells or mitochondria.
This mode of action of red light takes on a very special significance when one considers that science now sees chronic inflammation as the main cause of most chronic diseases. These include heart disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

How many times a day red light for earache?

If you or your loved ones suffer from earache, red light can help. But you are probably asking yourself how often and how long the irradiation with a red light lamp should take place. There is no general answer to this question. However, there are guidelines in which the home remedy has proven to be particularly effective.

Basically, you should follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your red light lamp. In general, however, the following applies: Irradiation should last a maximum of 15 minutes. You can irradiate your ear up to three times a day for this period.

You can also ask the manufacturer for the recommended distance to the lamp. Generally, a distance of between 30 and 80 centimeters is recommended.

Important: When you point the red light lamp at your face, please wear protective goggles. This also applies when irradiating the ears, as the light is close to the eyes. For children, you should monitor the irradiation and make sure that they do not look directly into the red light.

Red light for hearing problems - latest findings

Recent studies are increasingly looking at the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on hearing problems. One among them is a study from 2022: The effects of photobiomodulation therapy in individuals with tinnitus and without hearing loss

In this study, the effect of photobiomodulation therapy was evaluated in individuals with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss. For this purpose, 20 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to group 1: red light with active low-level laser (LLL) and group 2: red light device without laser.

There were 12 sessions for the groups. Both groups showed a reduction in tinnitus. For those with chronic tinnitus, symptoms reduced. The group receiving PBMT also improved in satisfaction levels, regardless of the timing of the assessment or the number of sessions.

For us, this means that LED red light therapy can lead to the improvement of hearing problems such as tinnitus - even without the use of lasers. In addition, we assume that PBMT can have a beneficial effect.

What this means for you is that you don't necessarily need a laser to treat your hearing problems. LED red light therapy can be enough to relieve the pain and other problems.

Conclusion: Red light lamp as a home remedy for earache

Experience shows that warming red light lamps can have a positive effect on acute earache. The pain can decrease and the discomfort disappear more quickly. The warmth is usually good for sufferers and can promote the healing process.

Modern LED red light lamps that do not emit significant heat can also help with pain and discomfort in the ear. This is suggested at least by some recent studies, which, among other things, deal with the anti-inflammatory properties of PBM and also investigate the fight against acute hearing problems with the inclusion of PBMT.

We deduce for us that you can definitely use red light as a home remedy for acute ear pain. Our Lichtblock Uno uses light with wavelengths of 630, 660 and 850 nm, which could help with acute ear complaints. Or at least could contribute to a relief.

Nevertheless, the following applies: In the case of acute illnesses, always consult a doctor. Especially if the symptoms have already lasted for several days. This is the only way to exclude the presence of serious diseases and to determine the optimal therapy for you.

However, to alleviate the symptoms, the use of a red light lamp is conceivable in any case.

By the way: Red light therapy does not always have to be used to acutely combat symptoms. You can also simply use the light as a soothing wellness moment during the cold season. 10 minutes of irradiation in the evening can have a pleasant effect. If you also irradiate your ear in a targeted manner and use the red light lamp regularly, this can possibly prevent ear diseases such as otitis media and the like.