Wellness

[godi]

I have had my ear drum explode in this ear twice so because of that I can not do the over the counter drops to dry my ear out, any other ideas? Any help greatly appreciated. I di go to doctor and she said it will come out, it's driving me nuts!!!

[deb5555]

use a blow dryer on cool  setting and the lowest speed, hope this helps!

[violann]

Try positioning yoursel with a pillow under your shoulder then wiggling around so that your ear is in several positions, with your nose higher than you ear.
Your ear canal may have some bends and curves in it,and that may help. Sometimes gravity will help.
The hair dryer is an excellent suggestion too. Hope you get relief soon!

[deb5555]

Just wanted to add to try using ear plugs when you wash your hair to keep the water out.

[godi]

thank you all for the replies.  will give them all a try. wish me luck.

[RedTop]

I have to use earplugs to keep water out of my ears, and even took them with me to the salon when I had a hair appointment.

[sylva]

What you describe sounds like the fluid builds up in your inner ear (behind the eardrum). My allergist diagnosed me calling it an eustacian tube dysfunction. An invasive procedure is to have an ENT specialist insert tubes or to treat medically with Flonase (OTC) and Astelin nasal sprays (RX, not OTC), and Guaifenesin (main ingredient in Mucinex and Robitussin). Also, making sure to stay adequately hydrated to keep fluids thin enough to properly drain is important.

I opted to try the medical route instead of tube insertion and have less sensation of fullness in my ears and seem to have improved hearing. I have been using the nasal spray, which the allergist says even though you sray it in the nose it helps decrease swelling in all the spaces of the sinuses and helps open the eustacian tubes so the fluid thinned by the Guaifenesin and adequate hydration, can drain. I have been doing this regimen now for 3 months.
I am sharing MY experience with you but of course, your physician should direct YOUR treatment. I hope you get relieve from this uncomfortable problem.

[beach-mom]

As a former synchronized swimmer, I always had a problem with this, and I still do from time to time. You said you can't do over-the-counter drops to dry your ear out. I think you mean the drops I used to put into my ears before I went into the water - alcohol based, right? Have you ever tried Debrox? I used, and still use, that, and my children use it too. They are also swimmers and one worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Debrox is like a peroxide solution. You put a few drops in, then tilt your head to the side (or put cotton in), then tilt to the other side. It usually will break up the wax. You can feel it working - it's like a bubbling sensation. It does come with a small syringe. 

If that doesn't help, go to an ENT doctor and they will do it. I've done that too. The one thing you DON'T want to do is push the wax back inside. Good luck - I hope you feel better! 

[HonnyBrown]

A great over the counter solution for water in the ear is rubbing alcohol.

1. Fill the cap half way with alcohol

2. Tilt your head to the right

3. Pour the alcohol into the left ear

4. Tilt your head to the left

When the alcohol flows out of your ear, it will pull the water with it.

I know it sounds nuts.  I had water in my ears in 2005.  I mentioned it to a coworker and she told me about this.  I thought she was loco.  When I got home, I ran it by my boyfriend, who was a surgeon.  He gave it the thumbs up.  I did it and it works with no side effects.