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How Can Earache With Pinkish Fluid Discharge Be Treated Post Perforated Ear Drums?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Apr 2018
Question: I perforated my ear drum on sunday night with a qtip. I went to the ED, they told me there was nothing to be done. They did not give me antibiotics. Since the perforation I have had a steady 1-2/10 dull pain that worsened with hiccups, burps, and deep breaths. There has been a relatively steady seapage of pink/clear fluid. Today in the shower two things happened; first, the earplug I was using started letting water in and I took it out, then, by habit, I blew my nose. Now I have had an 8/10 pain in my ear that feels like someone is jamming their finger into it. It has lasted about an hour and a half and is radiating to my cheek and jaw. The fluid seems to be clearer now and seeping at a quicker rate. Positional changes of my neck occasionally alleviate the pain a little with a feeling of pressure relief, but the pain doesn't all the way away and gets worse fast. Ibuprofen is not helping.

there is no swelling or increased tenderness to palpation of the outer ear or behind the ear. no fever. no vomiting. pain is localized to the right inner ear with radiation along the zygomatic bone and the angle of the mandible.

pain began to decrease about 1 hour after taking the ibuprofen
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Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Tympanic membrane traumatic perforation

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to HealthcareMagic and thanks for putting up the query
Any traumatic perforation of the ear drum heals by itself in 3 to 4 weeks but ear must be kept dry. Avoid any ear pressure like inflating mouth and pushing air into the ears and any nasal infection. This can delay healing.
If clear fluid has increased, take an antibiotic like cefixime 200 twice daily for 5 days.
Avoid putting any ear drops or any ear plugs.
Take medicine in case you have any nasal or throat infection.
All the medicines I have prescribed will be available only on prescription
Any further questions are always welcome.
Take care
Thanks and regards
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. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1389 Questions

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How Can Earache With Pinkish Fluid Discharge Be Treated Post Perforated Ear Drums?

Brief Answer: Tympanic membrane traumatic perforation Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to HealthcareMagic and thanks for putting up the query Any traumatic perforation of the ear drum heals by itself in 3 to 4 weeks but ear must be kept dry. Avoid any ear pressure like inflating mouth and pushing air into the ears and any nasal infection. This can delay healing. If clear fluid has increased, take an antibiotic like cefixime 200 twice daily for 5 days. Avoid putting any ear drops or any ear plugs. Take medicine in case you have any nasal or throat infection. All the medicines I have prescribed will be available only on prescription Any further questions are always welcome. Take care Thanks and regards