My ear's all plugged up. I tried the remedies for excess wax, so doesn't look like it's that. I've run all kinds of water in and out of it, q-tips, everything. Someone mentioned it could be water 'trapped' in my ear. is that possible? Or have I ruptured my eardrum? anybody know?

Nero (the hypochondriac)

First of all, STOP with the q-tips.  If something is in your ear you are only pushing it in further.

Second, is it Painful or just feels plugged.

Did you try the "hold you nose and blow" trick?

If it is plugged, try one of the commercially available remedies for it.

And keep it dry.  If it persist, see a doctor.  A ruptured ear drum isn't good.  It can heal but you have to keep it dry. 


Janet

If it's water in the ear, then you'll know it. "Shake" your head from side to side and you'd feel the water move inside your head. If that's the case, don't worry about it, it'll come out soon enough. Otherwise, I can't help you I'm afraid.

i use a 40cc irrigation syringe (no needle) with hot water to clear my ears (followed by... yes... q-tips xD)

Doctors have told me for years that a q-tip must not enter the ear canal.  But using one to clean the outer parts is fine.

I have used them inside, but we are talking a possible plug in the ear.  Another old wives trick is to, using a irrigation syringe, flush the ear with hydrogen peroxide, followed by warm water.


Janet

Yes, you'd know if you busted your eardrum.  It would hurt like hell.

You probably have wax build-up blocking the ear canal.  You can buy an OTC treatment, a syringe with a solution that might dissolve the wax.  But you might also have to go to a doctor, because the clog might be too tight to let the solution get to the bulk of it.

And doctors, or Orson Bean, will tell you not to put a Q-tip into the canal, but that's what they are made for.  You just have to be careful.  Doctors also tell you not to pop zits, lance boils, take out your own stitches, or dig out splinters - because if you are an idiot, you can really hurt yourself.  They have to tell you that, because, for all they know, you might be an idiot.

My doctor also recommended castor oil to disolve ear wax.  And, yes, a ruptured ear drum would hurt.  I've ruptured my right ear drum twice.  I don't remember the first time (I was 2 years old) but the second time I remember going to bed with a terrible ear ache, and waking up a few hours later with a blood-soaked pillow.

A bit of hydrogen peroxide will help break up the buildup and clean them out.
Put some on a cotton ball, lay on your side, dribble it in, then let it soak.
Before you get up use a small piece plug it. This will absorb any running out and keep some in for a bit longer.

You would def. know if your ear drums were ruptured. I knew the moment I was conscious. It felt like Someone hit me with a b-ball bat, I couldn't hear and my ears were bleeding 

When I clean my ears out, I turn my head to the side so one ear is up. Then I pour a cap full of hydrogen peroxide in it. I let it fizz awhile then turn my head the other way to let it drain into the sink. Now I'm in position to do the other one 

I do this a few times whenever my ears start to clog too much

The general rule is don't put anything down the ear canal smaller than your elbow. It's too easy to do damage. Go to a Doctor. I agree BTW with the other girls. A ruptured ear drum is painful and you may get very dizzy.

Just another comment. We girls keep giving Nero all this advice, as Administrator shouldn't he be getting us cute Nurse costumes? I'm sure Susan has a budget for it. Susan's Health Care Package?

Hugs
Cindy

Quote from: CindyJames on September 26, 2009, 04:40:23 AM
I agree BTW with the other girls.

Ahem!!! 

Ahem!!! 

Ooops

Sorry Jaimie

Didn't see you. But you can be the Doctor when we play Drs and Nurses (Sexist and I know it )

Cindy

Nero, it sounds more like you've got an ear infection. Ear infections can lead to ruptured ear drums (mine did.) However, I'll disagree on the pain a bit. My ear hurt abominably *before* my ear drum ruptured. When it tore, it released all of that pressure and actually hurt *less*. Although the bleeding from the ear had me in the local emergency room. I walked out with several prescriptions for different antibiotics and in my case, antihistamines.

I was lucky in that I just put a small tear in the ear drum. I had tinnitus for a year, but it eventually healed. If it had made a larger tear I would be deaf in my left ear.

Get thee to a doctor - if you haven't already. Hope you feel better soon!

WR

It could very well be an infection. You should have it looked at.

My ears are very sensitive now and I have to be careful of ear aches and infection. The ringing sound has never gone away and my hearing goes in and out. Some days I can hear okay, other days I can hardly hear at all.

Oh, I can no longer go diving either because the water pressure is too much 

Quote from: CindyJames on September 26, 2009, 04:40:23 AMWe girls keep giving Nero all this advice, as Administrator shouldn't he be getting us cute Nurse costumes?

Hmm, Nero being waited on hand and foot by a few of the girls here? Why do I get the idea that he wouldn't get anything done.