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Suggest Remedies For Earwax Buildup

Posted on Thu, 27 Apr 2017

Question: On March 31st I had a yearly physical. I mentioned to my doctor I had excessive wax in my right ear, which I've had an issue with before. He saw a small amount of wax, so he sent his nurse in to flush out. I've had this done before, but just as she was saying let me know if this starts to hurt, I almost yelled out in pain. She stopped because it was starting to bleed. Dr. came in and said to wait 5 or 6 days then use Debrox to break up the clot. Said to wait till ear wasnt so irritated. The day after the ear wash I woke up with dried blood in my ear and down the lobe. I've been using Debrox for a couple days with no results. Also tried placing my ear over a cup of hot water to let steam in, and letting warm water run in the ear in the shower. Today I'm doing the Debrox again 2x and will try a humifier. Any other suggestions? Don't want to pay a $70 copay to see an ENT when my GP office caused the major problem! Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No interventions needed. Likely to be take a week.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query. I am quite certain that the bleeding was due to nobody's fault and the only way to deal with it is to be patient. You need to give it time to heal. It will take about 5-7 days for the crusting off and healing. Prior to that, unless you develop fresh bleeding, you need not visit your GP or an ENT doctor. In the meantime, you need to forget about it. No intervention like steam, warm running water or anything else is needed. You may continue to apply Debrox but do not expect any results.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (40 minutes later)

The crusting went away the next day. The problem I have now is the continuous feeling of my ear feeling like it needs to pop, the sensation when changing altitudes. It has gotten worse the last 2 days, but that is when I started the twice a day Debrox. With my MS I have problems with balance, which the plugged ear seems to exacerbate. So you think I should just wait till it resolves on its own and just leave it alone for another 5 to 7 days? Not try a Q tip either? I just didn't know if it could eventually cause permanent damage. Thank you. I value your opinion.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation should help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for clarifying . I would insist you to take steam inhalation a couple of times a day. This is important and you need not wait about this.

Please do not try Q tip.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (30 minutes later)

Thank you. I will try steam again for a few days. I also read to try drops of hydrogen peroxide but not for too long. If I haven't had any relief by the end of the week, I will call my Dr., as this is miserable. Thanks for your help!

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation should help.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response. Please do not apply hydrogen peroxide. It will do more harm than good. Feel free to contact your doctor back after a week.

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. Raju A.T