Top answers from doctors based on your search:
Can I go swimming with a perforated eardrum
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Dennis Diaz answered
37 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Be cautious: I think the safest thing would be to protect that middle ear from water exposure and this can easily be done with an ear plug.
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Dr. David Astrachan answered
36 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Yes, but: It is a good idea to protect your ear from water with a silicone ear plug that molds to your outer ear. Best to not use plugs that fill the canal. If ... Read More
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Dr. John Thaler answered
40 years experience Prosthodontics
No, unless..: Unless you have a perfect way to seal the ear canal, no -- very bad idea. If you saw MD for this you should be on drops and should have strict instruc ... Read More
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
A 16-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Saurborn answered
22 years experience Diagnostic Radiology
Probably yes.: You basically laid out all you need for a serious inner ear infection. 1) Lake water teeming with organisms. 2) Outer ear canal easily fills with wate ... Read More
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A female asked:
Dr. Bernstein Joel answered
59 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Possibly drainage: A perforated ear drum can be due to infection or trauma. Pills probably will not help. It is true that if a perforation exists, getting water in the ... Read More
A 43-year-old member asked:
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alexander Gorup answered
28 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Yes: The beach is no problem. You should plug that ear so that no water gets in as this may lead to an infection. Use a plug that is waterproof.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alexander Gorup answered
28 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
See ENT: Probably don't have to rush to hospital unless you can't wait to be evaluated by an otolaryngologist(ent) as an outpatient.
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A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Keegan Duchicela answered
13 years experience Family Medicine
Will likely be fine.: Many perforated eardrums heal up on their own with no complications. He shouldn't be swimming or putting anything into his ear. If he's getting more ... Read More
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sparacino answered
36 years experience Family Medicine
See below: See if it heals spontaneously, or surgically repair it.
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A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Neil Giddings answered
38 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Drainage: Acute perforation of the tympanic membrane from infection will always be accompanied by drainage. If the perforation has been present for a long time ... Read More
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A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Steven Levine answered
39 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Most heal in 3 weeks: Those that do not heal withing 3 weeks should be evaluated by an ent. There is plenty we can do to fix eardrums.
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90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
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