How to use ear drops correctly?

People with ear diseases often use ear drops, which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-swelling and analgesic effects. Although ear drops are very common, many people do not know how to use ear drops when their doctors prescribe them. Or some people use incorrect methods, which leads to ear discomfort after using ear drops. So what is the correct way to use ear drops?

Step 1: Cover before dripping

In addition to hearing sounds, the human ear is also an important organ for maintaining balance. Some patients will store ear drops in the refrigerator (the temperature of the medicine is much lower than human body temperature). If they are dropped directly into the ear, the vestibular organ in the inner ear that is "responsible" for balance will be stimulated by the temperature and cause dizziness. To avoid this situation, before using ear drops, clean your hands with running water and soap, hold the bottle in the palm of your hand for a while, and then drop the medicine into the ear canal when the liquid is close to body temperature.

Step 2: When dripping: pull it

Sit up with your head tilted to the side or lie on your side in bed, with the "sick" ear facing up. Pull up the ear backwards and upwards to straighten the external auditory canal as much as possible. Place the ear drops toward the ear canal opening and drip in the number of drops specified by the doctor (generally, ear drops are given three times a day, once every 8 hours, 2-3 drops each time. Dripping too much not only wastes the medicine, but also may cause dizziness and other uncomfortable reactions). When dripping the medicine, be careful not to touch the skin of the external auditory canal wall to avoid contamination of the dropper with bacteria.

Step 3: After dripping: press

After applying the medicine, maintain the posture for 3 to 5 minutes, and gently press the tragus (the protrusion in front of the ear canal opening) with your fingers 3 to 5 times to help the medicine reach the affected area directly.

What are these 4 common types of ear drops used for?

1. Antibiotic ear drops

Ofloxacin ear drops can be used for external otitis, suppurative otitis media, myringitis, etc. caused by sensitive bacteria.

Chloramphenicol ear drops can be used for acute and chronic suppurative otitis media.

2. Phenol glycerin ear drops

It is used for sterilization, analgesia and swelling reduction in acute otitis media without tympanic membrane perforation, as well as external auditory canal inflammation. Note that it should be used before the eardrum is perforated, and cannot be used after perforation. It is generally only used for 3-5 days and should not be used for a long time. Long-term use may cause thickening of the eardrum and hearing loss.

3. Sodium bicarbonate ear drops

It is an alkaline solution that can dissolve and soften earwax, facilitating subsequent cleaning and ear canal flushing.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

A strong oxidant that can decompose and release oxygen, and has antibacterial, cleaning and deodorizing effects. It can be used to clean the external auditory canal before dripping medicine. After cleaning, other therapeutic medications can be dripped in.