Ear Problems

[PaletteOwl]

Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me what the issues are with my ear, I'd appreciate it.

I used to listen to my music LOUD, everyday, and would clean my ears with a q-tip once a week. I don't have a history of headaches, but started to get a mild one and was drowsy, one day, with tightness, stiff pain in my neck. The next morning, when I got up, the room was spinning, vertigo. It lasted 3 days, at its worst, and went away, slowly. I was drowsy for weeks.

Now I haven't cleaned my ears since, until today. I had a foul odor that came from my left ear, my right one doesn't seem to be as bad. A week prior I had a paiful spot at the opening of my ear canal, was something like a bump, and it drained after I touched it. Today, my ear seemed a bit irritated, and the odor had me suspicious, so I cleaned my ear, and out came this nasty, smelly, opaque discharge. It was whitish, not typical earwax.

Is that an ear infection? What can I do?

I lightly swabbed my right ear, barely, and the color looked fine, and there was no odor, although sometimes that ear does get irritated. Also, I would like to know if ear infections, or whatever this is, can cause sinus problems. Whenever there is ear irritation, nowadays, I have sinus pressure and drainage in the back of my throat. Speaking of which, right now, after I cleaned my ear, I have drainage inthe back of my throat, and pressure in my cheeks and nose.

Please give me some advice as to what this is, and I would appreciate it. I hope I didn't write too much! Thanks! :)

[Vivek V Gurudutt, MD]

It is very possible that the whitish drainage with smell you experienced are the results of an infection.  It is possible to get infections of the ear canal (external ear infection) as well as an infection of the middle ear (if there is a hole in the ear drum, drainage can escape to the ear canal).  A careful exam of the ear by a physician will help differentiate the two.  If there is an infection, you would need treatment with antibiotics.  Using Q tips in the ear canal is not the best idea.  It tends to push wax in further rather than remove anything.  It can irritate the wall of the ear canal and cause an external ear infection.  The cerumen left behind tends to get harder and pushing on it with a q tip the next time can lead to damaging the ear drum.  Consider over the counter ear drops to help keep your ear canals clean.  The dizziness you experienced could stem from one of many sources.  An inner ear infection or irritation of the nerve for balance may be implicated but sounds like this has subsided.  Sinus trouble can lead to ear problems as inflammation in the nose makes it harder for the eustacian tube to open.  This tube equalizes pressure in the middle ear ("pop" of the ear when in an elevator).  It would be in your best interest to see an ent to evaluate your ears, your nasal symptoms and drainage, as well assess your balance.  Good luck.

[PaletteOwl]

Thank you very much, that was a big help, but, I don't have insurance....is there any possible way that this will subside by itself?