EARWAX

 

Ear generates wax to protect the ear canal and inner ear

 

Signs of too much wax blocking the ear canal

• Pain or itching

• A feeling that your ear is full

• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)

• Odor or discharge

 

Practice the Dos and Don'ts for wax removal

 

Do

• Clean buildup to help hearing with hearing aids

• Get medical attention for ear infection, ear pain/discharge

• You can use OTC earwax removal drugs for loosening earwax or for drying ears 

• You can use OTC ear irrigation kits to clean - check with pharmacist or your doctor

• You can discuss prescription devices to remove earwax (by your doctor)

 

Don't 

• Put cotton-tipped swabs inside ear

• Insert/instill any objects or liquids without knowing more

• Use non FDA-classified home remedies

• Use ear candles (candling)

• Use any product containing local anesthetic - check label

 

Contact FDA's Drug Information Pharmacist if you have questions

druginfo@fda.hhs.gov

1-855-543-3784

1-301-796-3400

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EAR INFECTION

Anyone can get an ear infection that is commonly caused by bacteria

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Middle ear infections (otitis media)

• Common in children, but can happen in adults

• Symptoms: Pain in ears, drainage from ear, muffled hearing

• Consult with ENT who may prescribe antibiotics, ear tubes for drainage

 

Swimmer's ear (otitis externa)

• Infection due to water in outer ear canal for a long period of time, allowing bacteria to grow

• Symptoms: Pain when the outer ear is tugged, itchiness inside the ear, drainage from ear, redness and swelling

• Keep ears dry: Wear swim plugs, pull earlobe and tilt head to drain water out

• You can use OTC eardrops to dry ears 

• Avoid swimming in dirty water

• Consult with ENT

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AIRPLANE EAR

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Airplane ear (ear barotrauma) is stress on your eardrum when air pressure in your middle ear and air pressure in the environment are out of balance

 

• Change in altitude may cause your ears to hurt

• Flying in an airplane that is climbing after takeoff or descending for landing

• Driving in the mountains

• Scuba diving - divers can also get decompression sickness, which affects the whole body

 

Common symptoms

• Pain

• A feeling that your ears are stuffed

• Hearing loss

• Dizziness

 

Severe symptoms

• Severe pain

• Increased ear pressure

• Moderate to severe hearing loss

• Ringing in your ear (tinnitus)

• Spinning sensation (vertigo)

• Bleeding from your ear

 

What you can do 

• Yawning, swallowing or chewing gum

• Decongestants may help

• Try earplugs designed for use in airplanes

• See a doctor if the symptoms don't go away or are severe

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