my wife complains of an ear ache. she has a lot of wax build up and has been putting the over the counter ear drop wax remover in her ear for a couple of days. the box says to flush the ear after three or four days but i told her she should do it after each time she puts the drops in her ear. granted i am no dr. but it only seems smart to me. please clear this matter for us.
Reply: -------------------------------
Commercially available ear wax removal kits generally contain ear drops designed to soften the wax. In most cases it will work best if you let the drops work for a couple of days before irrigating the ear. However, simple irrigation of the ears with luke warm tap water using a bulb syringe often works by itself for removing ear wax. If there is significant ear discomfort or ear pain, a physician should be consulted. Persistent non-painful plugging of the ears not associated with upper respiratory infections that fails to resolve with one or two attempts at self-irrigation of the ears to remove wax also warrants physician consultation.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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