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Suggest Treatment For Clogged Ears While On Antibiotics For Tonsillitis

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Posted on Fri, 11 Dec 2015
Question: HI I'm having problem with clogged ears, my doctor prescribed me antibiotics for tonsillitis on friday but y ears fee really clogged as if I'm under water and my hearing in both ears is decreased. I have had a cold at the same time.

Ive tried , decongestants , steam, ear wax but nothing seems to help.

My throat is still sore but its my lack of hearing thats causing me the most problems.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
The ear problem is from throat inflammation & secretions. Try Fluticasone.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

What you are describing is consistent with serous otitis - fluid behind the ear drum in the middle ear, which interferes with hearing. Sometimes it can cause some pain too, and a sound of bubble or dripping.

When there is drainage down the throat, fluid can go up the eustachian tube of the ear (they are connected) and fluid can collect there. The fluid going down the throat from an infection also creates a sort of vacuum - pulling in the ear drum - which keeps the ear drum from moving properly and muffles your hearing.

It usually resolves a few days after the drainage in the throat or throat inflammation is over.

Treatment for strep tonsillitis is penicillin or amoxicillin. If it is strep (diagnosed by rapid strep test or culture) and you are taking one of these antibiotics, the infections should be considerably better by now. But if it is a viral tonsillitis, or, as you said you have a concurrent cold (virus), it is likely to last 7-10 days (and antibiotics won't help) and the serous otitis will last with it.

One thing you can try that might decrease the secretions is Flonase (fluticasone nasal spray). This is a corticosteroid that decreases nasal inflammation and secretions, so it may decrease the secretions going down the throat and up into your ear. In the US, it is sold at pharmacies without prescription - I don't know about in the UK.

I see you've tried decongestants. That's usually what's given as the main symptom reliever for ear congestion. I see that it didn't work for you - which might be just as well, because if used for more than a few days the fluid in the ear can become dry and sticky and cause a problem called "glue ear". The result can be that the problem can continue longer.

So see if you can get some Flonase or other corticosteroid nasal spray. Unfortunately it will take a few days to work.

I wish you well and hope you are feeling better soon! Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Clogged Ears While On Antibiotics For Tonsillitis

Brief Answer: The ear problem is from throat inflammation & secretions. Try Fluticasone. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX What you are describing is consistent with serous otitis - fluid behind the ear drum in the middle ear, which interferes with hearing. Sometimes it can cause some pain too, and a sound of bubble or dripping. When there is drainage down the throat, fluid can go up the eustachian tube of the ear (they are connected) and fluid can collect there. The fluid going down the throat from an infection also creates a sort of vacuum - pulling in the ear drum - which keeps the ear drum from moving properly and muffles your hearing. It usually resolves a few days after the drainage in the throat or throat inflammation is over. Treatment for strep tonsillitis is penicillin or amoxicillin. If it is strep (diagnosed by rapid strep test or culture) and you are taking one of these antibiotics, the infections should be considerably better by now. But if it is a viral tonsillitis, or, as you said you have a concurrent cold (virus), it is likely to last 7-10 days (and antibiotics won't help) and the serous otitis will last with it. One thing you can try that might decrease the secretions is Flonase (fluticasone nasal spray). This is a corticosteroid that decreases nasal inflammation and secretions, so it may decrease the secretions going down the throat and up into your ear. In the US, it is sold at pharmacies without prescription - I don't know about in the UK. I see you've tried decongestants. That's usually what's given as the main symptom reliever for ear congestion. I see that it didn't work for you - which might be just as well, because if used for more than a few days the fluid in the ear can become dry and sticky and cause a problem called "glue ear". The result can be that the problem can continue longer. So see if you can get some Flonase or other corticosteroid nasal spray. Unfortunately it will take a few days to work. I wish you well and hope you are feeling better soon! Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.