Ear aches

[Dattebayo]

Sooo....do people not use hydrogen peroxide to rinse out ears anymore? I don't know how much it actually does, but it usually appeases my "ear aches."

If not, what do you recommend? Assuming no fever.

[tamarae1]

I make a heat pack by putting 2-3 paper towels folded into a snack size baggie. Wet it until soggy. Wring out most of the moisture and microwave about 8 seconds. Zip the bag up, wrap in a paper towel to avoid scalds (it is never hot enough to scald) and give it to the student. Goes in the trash when done.

I tried the reusable gel packs. If they made it to the classroom, they never came back. Had 48 disappear in 6 weeks or less. I was so sad.

I could never use an ear ease, if they stayed in my clinic long enough for the thing to go from warm to cold they'd never go away. Most of my ear ache cases NEED to be seen by a doctor. Ear canals completely blocked or eardrums bulging. I call a parent and ask them to make an appointment as soon as possible. If no answer, a letter goes home stating what I saw with my otoscope and my concern for the ear canal and why.

[Amethya]

Ear-Ease

[scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have an otoscope as well, and I always look in ears. Most of the time it is wax build up. Our policy does not let us clean ears, or use anything in ears, so I usually send a note home with the kid telling parents that ear has wax build up and to clean. Or if there is an obvious infection, call and tell them.

[foggnm]

Yes. And the ear wax removal kits at the grocery/pharmacy stores are peroxide based (Debrox), but are designed to work over several days with multiple treatments. When I worked in a primary care clinic we had people use debrox for 3 days then we would flush their ears with tepid water. I've also used diluted peroxide. But honestly if you have good technique, plain old tepid/warm water can do a lot. I have flushed out the nastiest most debris filled old man ears with just 5 minutes of water flushing (using a 20ml syringe with a 1 cm segment of butterfly needle tubing screwed on to the end to direct the water in the ear). At home I'll just use a bulb syringe and diluted peroxide and rinse my ears out now and then. You can also just let soapy water run in your ears when you're showering and then turn your head to the side. People have this idea that you shouldn't put water in your ears, but you can actually 'wash' your ears.