A 20-year-old female asked:
How does a doctor drain a ear for an ear infection. do you have to be put to sleep?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joseph De Santianswered
Family Medicine 30 years experience
Tapping the Drum: The ear canal and drum can be effectively anesthetized with local anesthetic drops in the office. Using the proper instruments an ENT physician can then easily make a minature incision in the membrane of the drum and allow painful, high pressure fluid accumulations to easily drain. A small tube is often inserted to allow further drainage of the infectious fluid which later falls out by itself.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Patrick Melder commented
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 28 years experience
For adults... Very simply done in the office... For children... In the OR.
Dec 9, 2011
A Verified Doctoranswered
33 years experience
Not osteopaths: Some osteopathic physicians know how to do a gentle massage that can drain the fluid naturally from the ears, down the eustachian tube as it is intended to do.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Albert Pizzo commented
Family Medicine 61 years experience
For middle ear infections that develop pus in the middle ear that will not drain out the eustachian tubes as it is like glue (called glue ear), doctors can make a small slit in the tympanic membraine to drain the ear so it can heal. They sometimes insert ear tubes until the ear is well.
Dec 15, 2011
Dr. David Astrachananswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 38 years experience
Rarely needs surgery: True fluid and hearing loss most often will clear on its own with decongestants and treatment for whatever led to the fluid in the first place (uri, sinusitis, allergy). This can be combined with holding your nose and blowing into the nose trying to "pop" your ears. Rarely fluid won't clear and adults can have it drained under a local or topical anesthetic. Fluid is often misdiagnosed - watch out!
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 47-year-old member asked:
What side should you sleep if you have an ear infection?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Rheumatology 53 years experience
It does not matter: Sleep on the side that is most comfortable for you.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 5, 2020
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.