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What should I do if my ear is infected?

What can happen if you flush an ear canal infected with swimmer's ear?

  • I was diagnosed with swimmer's ear yesterday, and I received prescribed drops to help treat it. It was relatively mild, but unfortunately I wasn't completely informed about how to go about with the treatment. When taking the dosage, the doctor told me to let the drops sit for only 30-50 seconds at a time(instead of the 5 minutes advised by the website, as I learned later). Later, as my ear infection began to resurface, I took another dose to try and calm it down. Unfortunately the treatment didn't seem to be working keeping it in for such a short period of time. After two doses in a two hour period (the doctor told me I could take them whenever the pain persisted) I decided to try flushing them out with a couple of cups of water, like the nurse had done earlier. I figured I'd be relatively safe, since the doctor told me that using a simple syringe wouldn't damage the canal or the ear drum. And since there weren't any warnings about it on the medication, I thought nothing more of it. As you can guess, the treatment only made it worse, and my canal has been swollen tight ever since. It wasn't until I looked online for details on the dosage a few hours later, did I learn that I had to keep the ear dry, and take leave the drops in for up to 5 minutes. (Neither piece of info, was written on the medication slip) Now that it's been in there for a while, I'm worried whether my infection might escalate or cause any real damage. Is there anything I can do to help this problem (aside from continuing to use the medication)? Any help would be deeply appreciated.

  • Answer:

    This is a problem I suffer from often. It is known as Otitis Externa and can be excruciatingly painful. http://www.medicinenet.com/otitis_externa/article.htm You now have a full-blown infection. Because you made the area wet, the bacteria already present had a field day and really multiplied and now you have a problem on your hands. Whilst permanent damage can occur, it is usually only after a long period of neglect and so a couple of days shouldn’t hurt. However, go back to the Dr ASAP as it could affect your balance also. The Dr will give you some anti biotic drops to combat this infection and please, follow instructions. You must not get the ears wet. Take Ibuprofen in the meantime, to help with the pain and reduce swelling and redness. Once you start using the drops, you should feel much better in about a week.

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I have had swimmers ear before and the same thing happened to me. What I did was dry out the inside of my ear with a q-tip, put about 2-3 drops in my ear, let it sit for about 30 seconds, and then dry it out again. I did that about every 1-2 hours for an entire day, and by the next day, i was fine! you should try it, and if not, schedule an appointment with your doctor so he can make sure that it;s not anything serious.

Yeah you have a lazy doctor or bad one on that matter you can sue you know... anyways it looks like you already have in infection feel free to go to the ER but make sure you have the money to afford it, if not just find another doctor. Personally what i've done is this: Open your mouth as big as you can to open the ear canal to flush it down to your mouth and spit it out, another thing you can do is shake your head while opening your mouth as big as possible, open your mouth as big as you can about 10-20 times a day. Make sure the area is clean and that you properly clean them. SUE YOUR DOCTOR! For the medicine and any other services you will need to fix the problem, get a free lawyer that barely starting, it's an easy case, the doctor will have to pay for all expenses that you make to fix the problem && DONT BLACK MALE!

it depends on the severity of the infection. if you have sores, or your ear is oozing, follow the doctor's instructions completely. do not deviate! however if the pain is killing you, just take some Advil and and drop some rubbing alcohol in your ear. by no means put a q-tip in your ear. it may be partly why you have swimmer's ear. so just chillax and you should be fine. if you get swimmer's ear often, dont bother going to the doctor unless your ear is oozing or has sores on it. and : no showering, swimming, and no getting rain in your ears. try keeping ear plugs with you at all times if you are going into a humid environment they will be your life saver. also try ice on your ear for the pain.

I have had your problem severly scince the age of two. First off he should have prescribed you drops and an oral antibotic. This fights the infection both ways. If the outer ear infection you have should go inner the antibotics take care of that two. Second of all when I use to use the drops I would lay on my side for about between 15 and 30 mins as long as it took to penetrate the ear and were the infection is. In some severe cases the doctor had to suction out my hear with a air machine to get the secretions dried and wet. This is most effective and provides emeditly releif although it does tickle a bit. I suggest you ask him for a referal for an ear nose and throat doctor who is the only one who proforms this. I think a spealist is the best way to go. Your doctor seems to be lacking a bit of competence and that concers me.

Swimmers ear is caused by a bacterial infection of either pseudomonas or proteus, both gram negative bacteria that respond to antibiotics, but need enough contact with the medication for it to work. I'd go back to the doctor pronto, but I'd choose somebody else. That first guy doesn't seem to be with the program. Why should you pay him and then go find your own information later? Swimmers ear is not rocket science for a doctor with an ounce of ability to practice medicine.

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