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Ear Canal Problems (Swimmer's Ear)
About this symptom
You may be able to relieve your ear canal problem.
- If you are quite sure that you do not have a
ruptured eardrum:
- Gently rinse the ear using a bulb syringe and warm saline solution or a half-and-half solution of white vinegar and warm water. Make sure the flushing solution is body temperature. Inserting cool or hot fluids in the ear may cause dizziness.
- If your ear is itchy, try nonprescription swimmer's eardrops, such as Star-Otic or Swim-Ear. Use them before and after swimming or getting your ears wet.
- To ease ear
pain, apply a warm washcloth or a heating pad set on low. There may be some
drainage when the heat melts earwax. For more information about earwax removal,
see the topic
Earwax.
- Do not use a heating pad when you are in bed. You may fall asleep and burn yourself.
- Do not use a heating pad on a child.
- Do not use ear candles. They have no proven benefit in the removal of earwax or other objects in the ear and can cause serious injury.
To insert eardrops
- First, warm the drops to body temperature by
rolling the container in your hands or placing it in a cup of warm water for a
few minutes. Inserting cold eardrops can cause pain and dizziness. See a
picture showing how to insert eardrops safely
. - Have the person lie down, ear facing up.
- Place 2 or 3 drops on the wall of the ear canal so air can escape and drops can get into the ear. Gently wiggling the outer ear will help.
- You may find it easier to insert eardrops in a small child's ear by holding the child on your lap with his or her legs around your waist and head down on your knees. If possible, remain in this position for 2 to 3 minutes.
| Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain: |
|---|
Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine. |
| Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
|---|
|
Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate the symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:
- Ear pain persists or gets worse.
- The ear canal, the opening to the ear canal, the external ear, or the skin around the external ear becomes swollen, red, or very painful.
- Drainage from the ear that does not appear to be earwax develops.
- Drainage from the ear that smells bad develops.
- Dizziness or unsteadiness develops.
- Ear discomfort lasts for longer than 1 week.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 20, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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