Question 1

how should i treat an ear canal infection (otitis externa)?

Accepted Answer

See below: This type of ear infection is treated with prescription antibiotic ear drops. The otc swimmer's ear drops can help prevent swimmer's ear, but they are not effective treatment.

Question 2

i have ear canal infection and swelling, what to do for treatment?

Accepted Answer

Call doctor: Call your physician to get an appointment to get your ear looked at, then appropriate medication can be prescribed.

Question 3

ear canal swelling due to sinus infection. how do i get it to go down?

Accepted Answer

Let a doc look: The external ear canal shouldn't swell with a sinus infection. The little eustachian tube could get plugged with mucous, but you couldn't tell by looking--it's internal.

Question 4

for the past few months the inside of my ear canal smells sour. i noticed it when taking out  earphones. dr said he didn't see infection. it's nasty?

Accepted Answer

You may need: to consistently clean the ear phones (if they are like buds).

Question 5

painless pimple/cyst in ear canal, busted. how should i proceed with cleaning out pus-afraid to clean with qtip due to pushing the infection deeper?

Accepted Answer

Allow drainage: To encourage spontaneous drainage of an abscess, warm moist compresses can by applied with gentle pressure.  Squeezing or pressing on the site should be avoided.  If possible, keeping the site moist by applying antibacterial ointment will help prevent crusting over, which prevents drainage (usually key in healing).

Question 6

i had my ear irrigated, then the ear canal became itchy, then i got a middle ear infection, now the infection has gone its itchy again? what will help

Accepted Answer

Tincture of time: And try not to submit to scratching the itch too much.  This is likely self limited.  Ask your doctor if there is some type of moisturizing or anti-itch cream you could put on (very small amounts) but i would not recommend applying it with anything like a q-tip or anything.  Remember, nothing should go in your ear except your elbow!  lol!  hear! hear!

Question 7

i went for head massage and therapist put his finger in my ear canal which might lead to scratch. can this lead to hiv infection if he has cut ?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: The odds are greatly in your favor against any kind of transmission.

Question 8

tingling feeling in right ear canal only, almost feels like hairs moving or i have a ear bud(headphones) in that ear. no infection or wax. some kind of nerve issue, i can put my finger in the canal and the feeling stops. what could cause this?

Accepted Answer

Need ear exam: There are many nerve endings in the auditory or ear canal. Any type foreign body in the canal can stimulate this feeling or your eustachian tune may also cause this feeling. Rarely is it anything serious

Question 9

i currently have some kind of outer ear infection. all my jaw and my ear bones are very painful. also inflamated ear canal. i took ibuprohene but not helpful. was wondering if 1mg dilaudid for pain and cyprofloxacin or corticosteroid drop would help?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: It is clear you have made some assumptions about what is going on. Without a proper exam, it is hard to consider using a prescription at all, much less a controlled drug that might hide important symptoms. Drops only work in some ear conditions, not most. It is time to go to urgent care and have someone find out what is going on.

Question 10

my 3 year old is on her 2nd set of pe tubes (t&a removed).left tube is in the ear canal &  is infectioned.is it recommended/safe to replace this tube?

Accepted Answer

Ear tubes: If the tube has come out and infections return, it is reasonable to replace the tube.  Consider adenoidectomy if it hasn't been done yet.  Don't worry, your child will most likely grow out of this.

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Doctor answers about:

Ear canal infection signs

A member asked:

How should i treat an ear canal infection (otitis externa)?

A member asked:

I have ear canal infection and swelling, what to do for treatment?

A member asked:

Ear canal swelling due to sinus infection. how do i get it to go down?

A member asked:

For the past few months the inside of my ear canal smells sour. i noticed it when taking out earphones. dr said he didn't see infection. it's nasty?

A member asked:

Painless pimple/cyst in ear canal, busted. how should i proceed with cleaning out pus-afraid to clean with qtip due to pushing the infection deeper?

A member asked:

I had my ear irrigated, then the ear canal became itchy, then i got a middle ear infection, now the infection has gone its itchy again? what will help

A member asked:

I went for head massage and therapist put his finger in my ear canal which might lead to scratch. can this lead to hiv infection if he has cut ?

A member asked:

Tingling feeling in right ear canal only, almost feels like hairs moving or i have a ear bud(headphones) in that ear. no infection or wax. some kind of nerve issue, i can put my finger in the canal and the feeling stops. what could cause this?

A member asked:

I currently have some kind of outer ear infection. all my jaw and my ear bones are very painful. also inflamated ear canal. i took ibuprohene but not helpful. was wondering if 1mg dilaudid for pain and cyprofloxacin or corticosteroid drop would help?

A member asked:

My 3 year old is on her 2nd set of pe tubes (t&a removed).left tube is in the ear canal & is infectioned.is it recommended/safe to replace this tube?

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