Common Ear Problems

It is very common to have eczema in the ears. Eczema can effect anywhere on your body where there is skin.

Eczema in and on your ears can cause dry skin, itching, soreness and sometimes a wet discharge. It can lead to Outer Ear infections and infections of the skin of the pinna (external ear).

To try to manage this olive oil drops or spray (Earol) daily can keep the skin moisturised. You may need hydrocortisone 1% cream on the skin on the outer aspects of the pinna when it gets red/cracked, sore or itchy.

If any area of the ear becomes red and swollen and painful seek medical assistance.

If needed please seek medical attention with us or with your GP surgery.

This is a condition where the small tube which connects your middle ear and your throat, becomes blocked. It is usually blocked with mucus or swelling from a cold or hayfever or sinusitis.

This tube is how your body equalises the pressure in your middle ear, which is otherwise a closed compartment. When this tube is blocked and your middle ear cannot equalise, the middle ear becomes a vacuum.

This makes it feel like you have a blocked ear and it can also distort your hearing, cause tinnitus and crackling and popping in your ear. It can also cause pain if the eardrum is pulled back tight like a drum. This condition can often feel like you have wax in your ears or an ear infection.

Examination will show no wax and a retracted ear drum.

It can also sometimes lead to a middle ear infection.

It can be helped by using steam inhalations but NOT with boiling water, use water just hot enough to make a steam. Inhale through the nose if possible, 4-5 times then BLOW YOUR NOSE.

You can also buy online an apparatus called Otovent – this helps to clear the tube. https://otovent.co.uk/what-is-otovent-for

If you have sinus issues you may find some relief from Beconase or Mometasone nasal spray 2 puffs twice a day.

If you are on other medications or have any medical conditions please check with medical personnel or your pharmacist before use.

You can buy both over the counter.

If needed please seek medical attention with us or with your GP surgery.

This is a bacterial infection of the middle ear. This does not cause ear discharge UNLESS you have a perforated eardrum.

It does not always perforate, it is painful and you may develop a fever.

If it does perforate, the discharge will be pustular and may be blood stained. The perforation would have caused pain.

If treatment is needed this will be oral antibiotics.

If needed please seek medical attention with us or with your GP surgery.

This is the most common ear infection. It can be either a bacterial or a fungal infection of the ear canal .

Bacterial infection can cause a discharge and it can be painful. It is usually treated with eardrops or earspray but if there is more extensive infection oral antibiotics may be needed.

Fungal Otitis Externa is usually itchy and feels wet. It can have a watery or creamy discharge. This is usually treated with eardrops but as it is fungal it can take up to a month to treat.

If needed please seek medical attention with us or with your GP surgery.

Please apply 2 drops of olive oil twice a day twice a week.

This keeps the earwax soft as it is made and enables the natural removal of wax and reduced wax buildup.

If needed please seek medical attention with us or with your GP surgery.