"AlleyGator" > wrote in message
...
> My daughter is in her mid-teens, and has tears in her eyes because she
> has an earache,
(snippage)
> Honestly, I don't ever remember having this myself. For some reason,
> I think they used to blow smoke in your ear. How this could help, I
> have no idea.

I remember only one earache as a child, and mom did blow smoke in my ear. I
can only assume they thought it was warm and would be soothing. Don't
remember that it helped any. I also assume that it was otitis media
(middle ear infection) because I don't remember being in incredible pain.
OTOH, I experienced otitis externa (swimmer's ear) about 5 years ago, and
I'd sooner have another baby than experience that again. The pain was
excruciating, I could barely swallow without crying so eating was out of the
question. Even talking was painful. After about 36 hours on antibiotics
(drops and oral) the pain subsided and things went back to normal.

Gabby