Question 1

how can i reduce swelling in ear canal?

Accepted Answer

Swelling in ear: A steroid ear drop will be able to reduce your ear swelling.

Question 2

swelling in the ear canal. small lump just inside the ear canal. what could this be? should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

External otitis: Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal skin and often is very painful.  The small lump in the canal may be an abscess.  You need appropriate ear drops.  See an ENT doctor for correct diagnosis and treatment. Do not use Q-tips.

Question 3

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 4

i have swelling on the external acustic meatus or on the cartilage of the ear canal...what could be wrong?

Accepted Answer

See ENT: You should see an ear, nose and throat doctor to look at your ear and then he can tell you what is going on and if you need any treatment.

Question 5

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 6

my right ear canal is closed over due to swelling. i started otodex yesterday and no change 24 hrs. should i return to gp?

Accepted Answer

Give it a bit longer: External ear infections can be extremely uncomfortable, and so i understand your desire for quicker relief. You are on a good drop to reduce the inflammation, but it likely will take more than 24 hours to get better.  If you are not running a fever with it, and can take the edge off with some oral pain meds, i would try to get through a couple of days before deciding treatment not working.

Question 7

resolved painful swelling of outer ear canal (from swimming) w drops, oral antibi & steroids, still have fluid in middle ear. can decongestants help?

Accepted Answer

Slowly: Decongestants  are appropriate, alone or with new generation antihistamines. However, nothing helps dramatically and it can take some time to fully recover. Smoking is a direct negative factor by irritating the throat opening of eustachian tube. Increased fluids are also appropriate. There are adults, very infrequently, with tubes when problem persists with nothing helping.

Question 8

ear ache.  ear canal is swollen and swelling around the ear. pain level is 10/10. i am a rn  and try to look what cause the discomfort but now the ear?

Accepted Answer

See ENT doc: What you described suggest bacterial otitis extena and you should see an ENT doctor for proper care. You may take acetaminophen for pain, but the infection will require topical or systemic antibiotics.
Wish you good health! - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 9

my ear canal is swelling, pain behind eye and down neck.
ear has spurts of pain and throbbing and it is red no additional detail

Accepted Answer

You : You might have an infection of the skin of the ear canal or outer ear. You should definitely go see a doctor right away.

Question 10

i have a mild swelling in my left ear from sinus drainage and allergies.  is there a home remedy i can use to clear any bacteria from my ear canal?

Accepted Answer

Not related: The ears and sinuses are not directly connected and from your description, I cannot tell if the problem is from a bacterial infection or something else.  It is best for you to get these checked out by your doctor. Once the diagnosis has been made, then you can decide on what kind of Rx may be best for you

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Swelling of the ear canal

A member asked:

How can i reduce swelling in ear canal?

A member asked:

Swelling in the ear canal. small lump just inside the ear canal. what could this be? should i be concerned?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

I have swelling on the external acustic meatus or on the cartilage of the ear canal...what could be wrong?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

My right ear canal is closed over due to swelling. i started otodex yesterday and no change 24 hrs. should i return to gp?

A member asked:

Resolved painful swelling of outer ear canal (from swimming) w drops, oral antibi & steroids, still have fluid in middle ear. can decongestants help?

A member asked:

Ear ache. ear canal is swollen and swelling around the ear. pain level is 10/10. i am a rn and try to look what cause the discomfort but now the ear?

A member asked:

My ear canal is swelling, pain behind eye and down neck. ear has spurts of pain and throbbing and it is red no additional detail

A member asked:

I have a mild swelling in my left ear from sinus drainage and allergies. is there a home remedy i can use to clear any bacteria from my ear canal?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?