Oh Reinhart - you are probably miserable. Can you get to the drug store?
If so, you can buy either 'Sweet Oil' or 'Mineral' oil. Warm it a little in a sauce pan. Not in the microwave. Get an eye dropper and drop a few drops of the warm oil in your ear and lay with the bad ear up for a few minutes.
You will hear alot of noise and I'm sure if your ear hurts it'll be uncomfortable. And it'll feel like it's getting under your ear drums. After about 5 minutes flip your head over and let it run out.
You may have to do it several times, depends on how much wax and how compacted it is.
You're not an idiot - everybody has done this at least once :-)
Feel better!
posted by katie82640 at 06:16 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 21, 2006 #
Nope, you're definitely not an idiot. I regularly have to visit the doctor to get my ears irrigated. But don't be hard on your mom either, because that's exactly what the doctor uses: warm water and suction. :)
I've heard of Katie's suggestion before. I was gonna say over-the-counter ear drops, since my doc tells me to use them on a regular basis so I don't have the bad buildup (and yet I don't listen), but Katie's will probably help more in the short run.
posted by valbee at 06:21 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 21, 2006 #
There is also a product called Debrox (my doctor recommended this product for my son - same problem) made just for this problem. If I recall, it was pretty inexpensive too. But it's made to loosen up and remove hardened ear wax clogs. There are also ear syringes you can buy cheap so grab one of those too, to help flush it out if ya need. You may have to repeat this a few times, my son had to do it twice. Usually we'd just buy sweet oil, warm it up like katie said - but it wasnt' working for my son. My doc said Debrox works better - I haven't tried it myself.
Doctors say never stick anything in your ear larger than your elbow - but we use Q-tips all the time, no problem. Just be careful not to cram them suckers in there, you can do a lot of damage. They are not for the inner, deepest part of the ear. Good luck, hope it works.
posted by starling02 at 07:11 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 21, 2006 #
Your not an idiot at all. All the suggests above are great. Please if you warm up the sweet oil, test it on your forearm, so you do not burn your ear canal. (kinda like you would testing a baby bottle) What ever you do, do not try ear candles. They are dangerous and can burn you.
Hope your ear problems will go away without complications of an infection.
posted by ToledoLatina at 08:37 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 21, 2006 #
You guys are awesome, I'm going to go try your suggestion Katie, it is very much appreciated!
posted by Reinhart at 09:32 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 21, 2006 #
Well not just Katie thank you to all of you, but you get the idea I'm sure. :)
posted by Reinhart at 09:35 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 21, 2006 #
I second the debrox, my ped. told me to get it for my son. They sell it over the counter at the pharmacies. Good luck.
posted by gotoledogo at 06:37 A.M. EST on Sun Oct 22, 2006 #
So did it work?
posted by billy at 01:57 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 22, 2006 #
No, it hasn't worked yet but I'm not giving up everytime I do it I get a proportionally large amount of junk out of my ear but I'm giving it a rest for the time being because the outer and some of the middle part of my ear is getting highly irritated. I got sweet oil, an ear syringe (I figured it's a good investment anyway.) and some Debrox. The warm sweet oil got some junk out but the Debrox (While sort of amusing to use anyway.) is by far giving me the greatest result (And it's about $7.00 just in case anyone was wondering.) used in conjunction with the syringe it works great... I'm kind of amazed at all the wax I'm getting out of there and it's still clogged though. I really appreciate everyone's help and I'll give another update in a day or two.
posted by Reinhart at 04:25 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 22, 2006 #
People are posting questions about their earwax on this site now? Jeez, go to the doctor or visit webmd.com or something. Seriously.
posted by Ace_Face at 08:24 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 22, 2006 #
I already did all the research I could on it and nothing was working and as I stated I have no insurance, going to a doctor is my last resort. If it really pains you that much to see someone asking for help then you must be a miserable, miserable human being.
posted by Reinhart at 09:05 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 22, 2006 #
ace_face - The subject title clearing lets you know what the topic is, and you don't have to bother reading topics of no interest to you. The people who post here have been great. Yes, ear wax may seem trivial, but it can make you miserable, and when somebody has no insurance, I see no problem with asking for suggestions. And truthfully, paying to see a doctor, he'd tell reinhart the same thing we suggested to him here, for free.
posted by starling02 at 10:34 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 22, 2006 #
I've got about 80% of my hearing in that ear back, so I'm in the clear now. It took four applications of that Debrox stuff and innumerable flushings with the syringe. Never again do I want to be practically deaf in my one ear that actually works right. Thank you again for all your help, everyone.
posted by Reinhart at 03:18 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
Oh glad to hear it!!!
posted by katie82640 at 07:39 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
Now dont laugh at me, but my grandmother always told me to use whiskey instead of oil. but you know whats funny? it acually works. 8-)
posted by tm at 07:59 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
I'd heard that... but I don't know about putting whiskey into my ear canals, hehe. It seems though that whiskey has a wide variety of medicinal uses.
posted by Reinhart at 10:27 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
While the whisky does tend to burn a bit, it breaks up the ear wax AND kills pesky germs while its working on the wax. Its great for sore throats also, a shot or 2 and the pain is gone 8-)
posted by tm at 10:49 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
Whiskey is alcohol and it helps dry and remove moisture from the ear canal. Some people find it helpful. If you have any inflammation going on in there I don't recommend it. Ear candles work. They will pop the most stubborn load of ear wax right out. Although they work exceptionally well I don't recommend their use either. If you have a compromised eardrum you could hurt yourself. I swim and used to dive. Problem ears caused me to quit the latter activity. Been there done that as they say.
posted by holland at 10:52 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
I think I'll drink to tm and his ear solution.
posted by MikeyA at 11:26 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
I think I'll drink to tm and his ear solution.
Acually its "her" (hehehehe) and i too will drink to that! 8-)
posted by tm at 11:44 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
sorry tm. I wasn't thinking in terms of pronouns when I wrote it. I was just trying to quickly get something down so I didn't forget the joke.
posted by MikeyA at 02:24 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
I stand by my statement about the earwax drama. I am pretty tolerant about off topic posts, but this one did it. The site is called "ToledoTalk" people! It should (at least primarily) be about NW Ohio. Would you go to a sports website and post about how much you like butterflies? Or ask the folks at DailyKos what they think that squeaking sound coming from your car is?
Rant over.
posted by Ace_Face at 04:10 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
Hey aceface, get a life. You would think that she committed a mortal sin for asking for help.
posted by rooky at 05:26 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
"Or ask the folks at DailyKos what they think that squeaking sound coming from your car is?"
Hey, we've done that before on this site: Auto Repair question - electric system.
I don't see anything wrong with someone asking for help. Nor is there anything wrong with people offering solutions. What's wrong with people helping people? And who knows, threads like this may help others.
posted by jr at 06:14 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
Does anyone remember "Ask Your Neighbor" on WSPD a few years back? What was the guy's name? Ron something. I really liked that show.
posted by SherryET at 08:38 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
I am mostly a lurker, seldom poster. I love all the different types of topics/posts. Recipes..politcs..ear-ache remedies, etc. A person can learn from this place.
JR..Thanks for this site.
posted by aperson at 09:17 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 23, 2006 #
I agree, I'm still a kid but I love to learn and I've learned a great deal about politics (Obviously, mostly local politics.) from this place. Also, I greatly appreciate the (Generally) mature attitude people exercise here which is a stark rarity on the Internet. So I second that thank you, jr.
posted by Reinhart at 01:45 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 24, 2006 #
Thats what i love about this site. the diversity of the posts. There is more to life than just politics and news. Personnaly my favorite is recipes. 8-)
posted by tm at 08:23 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 24, 2006 #
Ace_Face wrote: I stand by my statement about the earwax drama. I am pretty tolerant about off topic posts, but this one did it
Since this was posted in the HEALTH forum it's hardly off topic. I'd venture a guess that it's actually spot on topic.
This isn't just a political forum, it's about life in NW Ohio.
You should check which forum you're posting in on this message board before you complain about off topic posts :)
posted by OhioKat at 08:31 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 24, 2006 #
OhioKat - interesting that you use the phrase "spot on" as I've just recently heard it...do you know the origin?
posted by MaggieThurber at 03:24 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 24, 2006 #
I'm pretty sure spot on is of British origin... but I'm not exactly sure.
posted by Reinhart at 04:04 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 24, 2006 #
As far as I know it is British in origin as Reinhart says. :)
posted by OhioKat at 08:21 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 24, 2006 #
Front page posting by Turboman moved here as a comment.
---- start ----
Ear infection - by Turboman on 05:56 P.M. EDT on Mon Nov 06, 2006
A while back someone had asked what to use to clear an ear infection. Does anyone remember the over the counter med? I think that my ears could use a good cleaning.
---- end ----
posted by jr at 09:11 P.M. EST on Mon Nov 06, 2006 #
I'm pretty sure spot on is of British origin... but I'm not spot on sure.
Ouch!!! posted by Reinhart at 04:04 P.M. EDT on Tue Oct 24, 2006 #
This, as well as "bloody hell", "bollocks", "bum & arse" and "brilliant" have been introduced into my vocabulary by my wife.
But whatever you do, don't offer your "fanny pack" to a Brit. It's called a "bum bag", because "fanny" to a Brit is a "vagina".
I put several drops of rubbing alcohol in my ear 3 to 4 times to soften the wax and flush with water.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 04:43 A.M. EST on Tue Nov 07, 2006 #
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