Aa
Ear drum cracked?
Just yesterday I did a really awkward dive and my ear hit the water extremely hard, this I think caused my ear drum to crack as now when I pressurize my ear by blowing my nose with it held shut air leaks out my ear, like I can blow bubbles out of it underwater and I don't want to get it infected, what is it? what should i do, thanks.
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Now what should you do (besides scheduling a visit to your doctor...!)...
1. Stop Swimming. If water enters the ear, your ear will begin to feel heavy and start discharging due to an infection of the normally sterile middle ear.
2. Stop pressurizing the ear constantly. This will not allow healing to occur as you will keep breaking the delicate membranes that form in the initial steps of the healing process.
3. Keep the ear dry. Don't allow water to enter the ear when you bathe. Use ear plugs or cotton wool. Do remember to remove the ear plug, once your bath is over!
4. Medicines...
If the ear remains dry... you could take Tab Allegra (fexofenadine) 120 mg once a day for a week to assist in keeping it dry.
If the ear begins to discharge you will need to take oral antibiotics (Tab Augmentin 625 mg thrice a day x 5 days is a good choice) or even antibiotic ear drops (Ciplox ear drops, 2-3 drops thrice a day x 5 days). HOWEVER, DO CONSULT A DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING YOURSELF ON ANY MEDICATION!!
Normally, if all goes well and the ear remains dry, the perforation will heal itself in two to three weeks time. This can be confirmed once again by the doctor looking at your tympanic membrane and verifying healing. Almost 85% of perforations heal spontaneously. The ones that don't (due to the ear getting wet, infections etc) can be fixed by an ENT surgeon, usually through a small surgery (tympanoplasty).
Hey, think positive...85% heal spontaneously.. so will yours!
Stay healthy n happy :-)