Hi all,
After a recent viral infection I find that after the little nasty had attacked my tonsils, chest and given me a slight fever, it left me with fluid (pus I would guess) in my middle ear which is proving remarkably reluctant to drain away. The effect is like when you get out of a swimming pool and find you have water lodged in one ear. The difference is, you can't clear this in the same way as it's behind the ear drum. I first noticed this 8 days ago. Any suggestions as to how to get rid?
After 8 days I'd be back at the Dr's.
Chewing chewing-gum may help to open up the passages.
Owain
Puff out your cheeks hard to get as much air into your ears as possible, then hold your nose and crank your jaw wide-open to open your eustachian tube and hope the air forces the liquid out?
SCUBA divers know a thing or two about blocked ears
Valsalva manoeuvre Toynbee manoeuvre Frenzel manoeuvre Otovent manoeuvre - photo please if you try this one! Lowry technique Edmonds technique
It happens to me after a cold is gone, occasionally.
With lips closed and nose pinched, use lungs to raise air pressure in nose/mouth, until you hear your ears pop, which forces air into the middle ear. It will escape with the fluid when you release the pressure (and maybe swallow a few times). May need to repeat a few times a day.
Note this also raises your blood pressure momentarily, so may not be a good idea if you've had a stroke or very poor blood clotting.
BTW, unlikely to be pus unless you have raging ear-ache too. Most likely to be nasal mucus, which gets up there when there's an excess of it around.
You need to see a doctor
You might need a grommet inserting in the eardrum which will allow it to drain out.
I have some spare grommets which I used with metal back boxes when rewiring my house, but unless you have ears the size of an elephant I don't think they'd be suitable and so this is not a DIY job!
Try a nasal de-decongestant such as Beconase.
I know cos I had one prescribed a few weeks ago by Dr for a similar problem - it will help clear a blocked Eustachian tube (leading from inner ear to throat) and allow inner ear to drain.
Its highly unkiely to be pus as otehrwise you would have a raging earache.
Of course, you could always pop along to a pharmacist or a Dr if you don't fancy the DIY approach ;-)
Jeye's Fluid or see your Doctor - take your pick. I would not use WD40.
See a doctor, practise nurse or pharmacist.
Don't be tempted to poke around. The general advice is you should only go inside your ear as far as you can reach with your elbow.
Another Dave
Angle grinder?
Tim
Vitamin D tablets
I was going to suggest an angle grinder but in this case I think a simple trepanning with an electric drill ought to be sufficient.
Nick
It may be blocked sinuses - try steam - breathing in from a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head. Perhaps add spearmint or peppermint.
As someone who gets this often when I get a cold (but without full on ear ache):
Don't force it by holding your nose and blowing - if it's reluctant, all you'll do is blow air in which probably won't come out until it's ready
- leading to some discomfort.
Try dry swallowing with head at various angles and walk about a bit. It will often encourage the tubes to open a little. You'll know because you'll notice odd crackling/popping sounds.
If it's not clearing soon, I'd pop along to the doctor.
Perhaps add spearmint or peppermint.
To taste? ;-)
Seriously, this is where small calibre handguns come into their own. Procure a .22" live shot pistol and one round of ammunition. Remove the lead bullet from the cartridge casing, discard, and pack *soft* tissue paper into the cartridge casing so as to keep the propellant explosive in place. Insert the modified round into the pistol, position the muzzle tightly against the outer ear so as to form a gas-tight seal, and discharge the weapon. That should instantly clear the obstruction.
*NOTE:* only use *soft* tissue paper as anything else (like that awful Izal stuff) may risk damaging the eardrum.
Many people prefer vitamin D taken in capsules. Though not usually for ear issues specifically...
Capsule - that might work. Try pushing it through the ear canal with the end of a pencil.
At the beginning of last year, I had mild flu' but serious sinus blocking. My daughter in Australia suggested the traditional steaming bowl of boiled water and the towel over the head. I remember my parents doing the same with Beecham's powders.
I gave it a try, not realizing that this would open the capillaries in my nose leading to an unstoppable nose-bleed and NHS Direct's urge to 'get him to as hospital within the hour'.
I was lucky. The designated hospital was Watford General. Apparently it was our nearest yet I had never been there before. They were magnificent. From reception, through triage to examination and treatment, just Rolls Royce. The lovely east European junior doctor took a swab and within an hour was able to say 'well its not man-flu'!
Take care. You may not be as lucky as me. :)
Alan s
I thought this year the standard was a pressure washer?
Andy
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