ear plugged up?

Question

I went in the pool the other day and now my right ear is totally blocked??I can hear the water if i touch my ear. have to start wearing ear plugs cuz this happened the last time. How long does it take to open up? and do a lot of people experince this? I can not put swimmers ear in cuz it stings as there is a cut in there

i don't have medical insurance so i am hoping it will pop on it's own like it did the last time. If i have too, I will go to a walk in clinic but i would rather it pop out on it's own. It's like i am deaf in one ear

i lightly did a Q-tip in that ear and brown was on the Q-tip but still blocked so i am assunming it's just wax and will pop when it's ready

Answer 1

"Swimmer's ear - chronic

Alternative names

Ear infection - outer ear - chronic; Otitis externa - chronic
Definition

Swimmer's ear is an inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. Swimmer's ear usually responds to treatment, but a small number of cases become chronic. This means the infection does not go away, or it comes back multiple times.

See also swimmer's ear - acute.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is fairly common. It consists of inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal. Swimming in polluted water is one way to contract swimmer's ear. Moisture predisposes the ear to infection from water-loving bacteria such as Pseudomonas. Other bacteria, or rarely, fungus, can also cause infection. Swimming is not the only cause, however -- the condition can be caused by scratching the ear or an object stuck in it.

Chronic swimmer's ear may result from inadequate treatment, or may suggest the presence of a disease in underlying bone, a complication called malignant otitis externa.

Symptoms

Ear pain -- may worsen with pulling on the external ear
Itching of the ear or ear canal
Persistent drainage from the ear -- yellow, yellow-green, pus, or foul smelling
Hearing loss
Signs and tests

When the physician looks in the ear, it appears red and swollen, including the ear canal. The ear canal may appear eczema-like, with scaly shedding of skin. Touching or moving the outer ear increases the pain. It may be difficult for the physician to see the eardrum with an otoscope, or the eardrum may appear red.

The outermost part of the ear, the tragus, may ultimately become infected, and appear red and swollen.

Treatment

The goal is to cure the infection, usually with ear drops containing antibiotics. Corticosteroids can reduce itching and inflammation. Sometimes other remedies such as acetic acid (vinegar) drops may be used.

If the ear canal is very swollen, a wick may be placed in the ear to allow the drops to travel to the end of the canal. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help relieve pain.

In elderly individuals or diabetics with persistent ear pain or drainage, malignant otitis externa is a possibility. The ears should be evaluated with CT scanning to look for bone erosion. Malignant otitis externa is treated with high-dose intravenous antibiotics effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Expectations (prognosis)

Chronic swimmer's ear usually responds to treatment. Treatment may be prolonged or repeated. If untreated, complications may develop.

Complications

Infection of the surrounding skin
Malignant otitis externa, which can cause bone infection, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing
Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of chronic swimmer's ear, or if acute swimmer's ear does not respond to treatment.

Prevention

Dry the ear thoroughly after swimming. Individuals who swim frequently should consider earplugs. Swimmer's ear from any cause should be treated completely, and treatment should not be stopped sooner than recommended by the doctor.


Update Date: 6/15/2005

Updated by: Monica Gandhi, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.



A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics ( http://www.hiethics.com ) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch)."

Answer 2

Have the same trouble sometiimes. Try gently swabbing your ear with Q-tips. If that doesn't wokr, you better have the doc look at it cuz U don't want it to get irritated or infected. Luck!

Answer 3

You can go to a local drugstore to get ear drops to unclog your ear.