Earache

[Aoibheann]

Very painful left ear when chewing food also blocked and hearing loss. Any advice please?

[Bevvy]

Could be an ear infection so really medical advise needed. In meantime paracetamol for pain could be helpful. Also whatever you do DONT be tempted to use cotton bud to unblock ear. Could make things far worse!

[Aoibheann in reply to Bevvy]

Bevvy, just finished a course of antibiotics and now the ear is worse. So difficult to get a GP appointment here in the north of Ireland. X

[Bevvy in reply to Aoibheann]

Don’t know if you have bank holiday on Monday as we do in England but you must go back to gp and insist on appointment. They need to be made aware that antibiotics not worked and need more/different ones. Do you have access to 111/out of hours services? If so I would ring them and explain. They can arrange appointment with a doctor out of hours and/or contact your gp surgery and arrange appointment next week. I know is difficult when you don’t feel well but you (or if available someone in your family) need to ensure you are seen ASAP.

[Aoibheann in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you Bevvy. X

[etheral]

A + E may even be appropriate..

[Aoibheann in reply to etheral]

No walk ins now. Appointment only.

[Bevvy in reply to Aoibheann]

Remember 111 who I suggested in previous post can do referral for A&E.

[Aoibheann in reply to Bevvy]

Bevvy, I didn’t know that. 👍

[Darkin]

My GP prescribed olive oil for my blocked ears, but it was taking too long to clear up (days). Eventually I went to a private audiologist and for 60 quid unblocked both ears using a process called microsuction . Terriffic.Any pain immediatly cleared also.

[Aoibheann in reply to Darkin]

Darkin, thank you for info. How long ago was this.?

[Darkin in reply to Aoibheann]

About a year and a half.

[Paul_Wakefield]

Which type of ear infection?

Inside the ear it needs antibiotics

In the ear canal it varies

I get Swimmers ear (Otitis)every few years. It is painful. The prescription solution is a spray called “Otomize”

It is made from a mild antibiotic and acidic acid. Acetic acid is basically vinegar.

When I feel it starting I use a straw as a pipette and put white vinegar in the ear every four hours.

Do not ever put cotton buds or other foreign object in your ear canal

[Darkin]

Also there is an earwax removal tool which I found to be brilliant, a conical shaped screw made of soft silicon rubber which literally screws out the wax. It is a best seller on amazon and i have used it regularly. More gentle than ear syringing, i can tell you.

[Chrissy1963]

Hi, I suffer with ear problems as I have something called palatal myoclonus causing constant ear pain and clicks. I would agree with getting the wax removed by microsuction and then if still a problem get yours doctors to refer you to an ear nose and throat specialist. Take paracetamol for the pain if you can tolerate it.