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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Swelling & Pain In The Ear Canal After Trying To Clean With A Qtip

Last night the inside of my ear was itching a lot. I went to clean my ears out with a Q tip like I normally do and there was tons of drainage and there shouldnt be seeing how i just cleaned my ears out a few nights before. My ear started to get sore and tender last night not long after i cleaned it out. As the night progressed my hearing became muffled. I thought maybe i had dislodged some wax and clogged my ear up. This morning I used an over the counter ear was remover kit. My ear canal has got more painful and swollen. Now I can barely hear anything out of it other than a ringing noise kind of like static. I have tried use the kit twice and nothing has come out other than some of the oil and the water. If I shake my head around now though it also sounds like something is moving around inside my ear. I am just not very srue what this is or what to do. What should I do?
Fri, 23 Dec 2016
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ENT Specialist 's  Response
Hi,looking at your symptoms,you are suffering from Acute Otitis Externa(it is an acute infection of the skin of outer ear canal).

The skin in the outer part of ear canal is very thin.Trauma may occur to this skin followed by secondary bacterial infection by manipulation like ear cleaning with a Q-tip.This can lead to swelling in the outer part of ear canal,pain in the ear,blockage of ear canal with reduced hearing-which you are suffering.

The discharge which got removed by Q-tip would probably be wax.The feeling that something is moving around your ear might be due to dislodged wax.

You need to take Analgesic(like Ibuprofen),Antihistaminic(like Cetrizine),Antibiotic ointment (like Soframycin cream)to be applied over the swelling over ear canal.

Only when the swelling regresses,discharge or wax can be cleaned from ear
by an ENT Specialist doctor.

Don't try to clean your ear by putting any instrument like Q-tip or Ear cleaning kit.Avoid water going inside ear while taking bath.You may use Ear plug to protect your ear from water.

Wax in the ear is a normal thing.You need to remove it only if is is causing pain,itching or ear blockage.Also in the future ,never try to clean your ear by self as the wax or discharge might go further inside and infection in the ear canal might occur.Take help of an ENT consultant.

By taking the above measures,if still your complains are not reducing ,you need to consult an ENT Specialist Doctor.He/She might start oral antibiotics.And in few cases,pus may form in the swelling,which the doctor can remove after putting an incision.

Hope this answers your question.Take care.
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Suggest Treatment For Swelling & Pain In The Ear Canal After Trying To Clean With A Qtip

Hi,looking at your symptoms,you are suffering from Acute Otitis Externa(it is an acute infection of the skin of outer ear canal). The skin in the outer part of ear canal is very thin.Trauma may occur to this skin followed by secondary bacterial infection by manipulation like ear cleaning with a Q-tip.This can lead to swelling in the outer part of ear canal,pain in the ear,blockage of ear canal with reduced hearing-which you are suffering. The discharge which got removed by Q-tip would probably be wax.The feeling that something is moving around your ear might be due to dislodged wax. You need to take Analgesic(like Ibuprofen),Antihistaminic(like Cetrizine),Antibiotic ointment (like Soframycin cream)to be applied over the swelling over ear canal. Only when the swelling regresses,discharge or wax can be cleaned from ear by an ENT Specialist doctor. Don t try to clean your ear by putting any instrument like Q-tip or Ear cleaning kit.Avoid water going inside ear while taking bath.You may use Ear plug to protect your ear from water. Wax in the ear is a normal thing.You need to remove it only if is is causing pain,itching or ear blockage.Also in the future ,never try to clean your ear by self as the wax or discharge might go further inside and infection in the ear canal might occur.Take help of an ENT consultant. By taking the above measures,if still your complains are not reducing ,you need to consult an ENT Specialist Doctor.He/She might start oral antibiotics.And in few cases,pus may form in the swelling,which the doctor can remove after putting an incision. Hope this answers your question.Take care.