A ruptured eardrum is a common injury among children. It can be painful and sometimes cause hearing loss.
A perforated eardrum is a rip or hole in the middle ear membrane. This can occur if an infection develops inside the ear or if the eardrum is damaged. You may have difficulty hearing out of that ear or notice a buzzing sound. You may have an earache, and fluid might drain from your ear
If you experience an earache, your Lockhart ENT doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help treat the infection. If your eardrum does not heal in a few weeks, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair it.
Here are some tips for taking care of a ruptured eardrum.
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1: Keep the area clean and dry.
Clean the area with a mild soap and cool water. Dry the area with a soft cloth.
2: Apply a cold pack to the ear every few hours.
Apply a cold pack to the ear for 20 minutes every few hours to help reduce inflammation and pain.
3: Avoid loud noises and vigorous activity.
Avoid loud noises and vigorous activity until the eardrum has healed completely. This will help prevent further damage to the eardrum.
4: Apply warm compresses to the ear.
If you are experiencing a ruptured eardrum, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The first step is to apply warm compresses to the ear. This will help to reduce the amount of pain and promote healing. If you experience severe pain or if the eardrum has not healed within two weeks, you should see a doctor.
5: Take painkillers as needed.
Ruptured eardrums can often be treated at home with painkillers, but if the pain is severe, the person may need to go to the hospital. If there is a lot of fluid in the ear, the person may need to go to a hospital for surgery to remove the fluid and fix the eardrum.
6: Avoid loud noises while you have an earache.
Avoid loud noises and vigorous activity until the eardrum has healed completely. This will help prevent further damage to the eardrum.
7: Seek medical attention if your child’s ear continues to hurt or doesn’t improve within 24 hours of treatment.
If your child’s ear hurts and doesn’t improve within 24 hours of treatment, it is important to seek medical attention. Ear ruptures can be very serious and can lead to hearing loss. If you or your child notice any other concerning symptoms, such as a high fever, intense pain, or discharge from the ear, please contact your doctor immediately.
8: Do not use petroleum jelly or other similar products on a ruptured eardrum. These may seal in fluid and make healing more difficult.
If you have a ruptured eardrum, do not use petroleum jelly or other similar products. These may seal in fluid and make healing more difficult. If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If the eardrum does not rupture and the infection is mild, your doctor may simply advise you to keep the ear clean and dry and to avoid loud noises. If the eardrum has ruptured, your doctor will clean it with a solution of water and soap. He or she will then put a small piece of gauze over the opening to keep out dust and debris. The patient will be instructed to keep the gauze in place with a bandage for several days while the eardrum heals.
9: Be patient – your child will heal!
There are many possible causes of a ruptured eardrum, including loud noises, sudden changes in air pressure (such as during a flight), extreme cold or heat exposure, or a head injury. Most ruptures occur from sudden pressure changes on the eardrum. If the rupture is small and does not cause any noise or hearing loss, the person may only experience mild discomfort. If the rupture is larger, however, fluid may escape from the ear and cause hearing loss or pain. In most cases, surgery to repair the rupture is required.
Taking good care of a ruptured eardrum is important for healing and prevention of future injuries. Follow these tips to help your child get better fast!