Grommet, Ear Infections With Discharge, Wax In Ears. Olive Oil The Treatment Option ?

Posted on Tue, 22 May 2012

Question: my daughter has a grommet and has had repeated ear infections with discharge. The gp said she had wax in her ear and suggested olive oil. We put a few drops in while she was asleep and she woke up immediately screaming in pain

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (23 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for the query

There are two possibilities involved in this
a. The wax would have got swollen after absorbing the moisture when the olive oil was put and the child developed pain because of this sudden swelling.
b. Secondly, it could have been because of the retained grommet and olive oil trickling into the middle ear through this would have irritated the middle ear and hence pain.

According to your history, if she is having recurrent ear discharge, then the probability of wax getting accumulated in the ear canal is less and more likely to be an irritation of the middle ear by olive oil.

As these are just speculations, the exact cause of this problem can be identified only after examining the ear of the child.

Hope I have answered your query, if you have any more doubts you are welcome.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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