How do you treat an adult ear infection at home?

You don't: Ear infections can be of the skin of the ear canal or fluid behind the ear drum. An infection of the ear canal requires cleaning and antibiotic ear drops. An infection behind the ear drum requires oral antibiotics.

Comfort measures: Some viral ear infections self heal in 2-4 day. Bacterial infections tend to persist and may lead to real complications. If not better after 3-4 days of comfort care, an evaluation and treatment is advised.Prior to antibiotics, hearing loss due to chronic middle ear disease was not uncommon and a significant complication called mastoiditis requires surgical drainage.

See a doctor : These can turn to glue ear or ruptured ear drums or other things. See a doctor.