ear

[valB]

In UK there are drops which they claim avoids having ears syringed. Anything like that here as my ear is blocked and driving me crazy for the last couple of days. I am going to the Pharmacie later so would be nice to know what to ask for.

[Théière]

Otex ear drops are Urea hydrogen peroxide so if the brand doesn't exist maybe you could ask the pharmacist

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001961.html

[PeterG]

Most doctors recommend putting a couple of drops of olive oil in the ear, to soften the wax. This should be done for about 2 weeks.

It worked for me without the need for irrigation.

[Danny]

I have tried eardrops from the chemist here before but they were not as effective as tepid olive oil for a week followed by a syringing at the doctors. I forget the name of the product I used but if you say " J'ai un bouchon du cerumen", the pharmacist will find you some appropiate eardrops.

Bouchon = blockage. Cerumen = earwax

good luck

Danny

[valB]

Thank you for the replies. I will see what I can get this afternoon as we have family arriving on Saturday and I was hoping it would be cleared by then. My ear is making a whistling noise which is so annoying.

[Bernice]

You can get Cerulyse drops from the pharmacy to dissolve the wax.  They also sell a "Poire" made of soft rubber which you can fill with warm water and use to wash out the ear.  It's easy to use and very gentle.

Bernice

[valB]

Thank you for that, Bernice. That sounds very positive so hopefully I can avoid having to pester the doctor.

[Théière]

Crikey it gets worse,

Otex = urea and hydrogen peroxide, thats sweat and hair bleach, don't know whos sweat but it works.[:-))]

Cerulyse = xylene, thats paint thinner.[geek]

Cerumol = peanut oil, thats turpentine, paint thinner again [:$]

Olive oil, if that doesn't work at least its a salad dressing [+o(]

Feeling better?[:D]

Caveat added This information is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always see your GP / medical professional. [:D]

[AnOther]

I use Cerumol ear drops when I have wax problems, which I do once or twice a year. A few drops two or three times a day for two or three days followed by a DIY warm water 'syringing', which I actually fine a quite pleasant experience, soon solves the problem.

Interesting article HERE

Did you know that the skin inside your ears is continually growing in a spiral motion, I didn't !

Top tip: Granny always told me to never put anything smaller than my elbow in my ear [:D]

[Danny]

[quote user="AnOther"]

Top tip: Granny always told me to never put anything smaller than my elbow in my ear [:D]

[/quote]

wise granny....[:D]

Danny

[Alan Zoff]

Cotton buds are apparently one of the biggest culprits. Apart from the risk of pushing something into the ear-drum, the odd fibre from the bud/swab is prone to sticking to the lining of the ear canal. Contamination then builds up on the fibre and before you know it you have an infected ear canal - which can be very difficult to treat effectively. (Voice of experience, I regret to say. If anyone knows an effective treatment, please fire away as no matter what I use, it soon comes back.)

Wish I'd been given a good talking to by Granny.

[AnOther]

I do cringe whenever I see people do that, it's potentially extremely dangerous.

[Théière]

[quote user="Alan Zoff"]

Cotton buds are apparently one of the biggest culprits. Apart from the risk of pushing something into the ear-drum, the odd fibre from the bud/swab is prone to sticking to the lining of the ear canal. Contamination then builds up on the fibre and before you know it you have an infected ear canal - which can be very difficult to treat effectively. (Voice of experience, I regret to say. If anyone knows an effective treatment, please fire away as no matter what I use, it soon comes back.)

Wish I'd been given a good talking to by Granny.

[/quote]

White vinegar

http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_swim.htm

This information is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always see your GP / medical professional.

 

[valB]

The Pharmacist gave me A-cerumen drops and an antiseptic wash to use after the drops. This morning it seems worse but I will carry on with it and see what happens.

[NormanH]

[quote user="valB"]Thank you for that, Bernice. That sounds very positive so hopefully I can avoid having to pester the doctor.[/quote]

 You aren't 'pestering the doctor'

In France they are paid by the 'acte', i.e they want to see you as often as possible for little things like that.

This is different from the system in the UK, and gives rise to the impression that Healthcare in France is better, while in fact it is  running up huge deficits

I use Cérulyse eardrops for 4/5 days then see the Doctor, who syringes my ears. The preparation makes a lot of difference, and the wax  is usually very easy to remove.

[valB]

Brief update. Woke this morning and my ear was dreadful, totally blocked and somewhat painful. I decided to see the doctor and she said that my sinuses were blocked and that both ears were blocked but one worse than the other. I have medication for the Sinus problem and I have to see someone in Niort to " extract " the wax from both ears. No mention of it being done in the surgery so I will have to put up with it until an appointment can be arranged.

[Théière]

[quote user="valB"] I have medication for the Sinus problem and I have to see someone in Niort to " extract " the wax from both ears. No mention of it being done in the surgery .[/quote]

Frenchie, [;-)]

Fetch your tools, you need some hot water, towels and the icing syringe [:-))]

[Russethouse]

 May be they will be vacuumed rather than syringed  (which a specialist operative does )- I had mine done (and a long forgotten gromit was discovered, but thats another story) I think Will has had his done too......

I was dreading syringing so was pleased not to have that done.....

[Alan Zoff]

I tried the white vinegar. Stings a bit at first but seems to be helping with the infection after a few applications. Only side effect so far has been a weird dream about fish and chips....

Sorry that I have infiltrated this thread with a slightly different problem - infection rather than blockage - but am grateful for the tips.

Ps. The vinegar was something of a last resort, having got nowhere with the medical profession after several months. I wouldn't suggest it for general use as it does amount to putting acid in your ear, after all.

[Poppy]

For many many years used oli_e oil for blockages and lemon juice for infection. Problem has always cleared up within 24 hrs. Dreams tend to be about boiled fish rather than fish and chips [:D]

[Gemonimo]

Anyone ever used ear 'candles'? They are apparently very effective.

[Clair]

[quote user="Gemonimo"]Anyone ever used ear 'candles'? They are apparently very effective.[/quote]

I did think of Hopi candles but refrained from posting about them...

I have used them before and they did help remove cerumen.

They're painless and even quite pleasant to use.

They should be available from health shops: Bougies Hopi

[Théière]

[quote user="Russethouse"]

 I had mine done (and a long forgotten gromit was discovered, but thats another story) [/quote]

Maybe they will find an equally long lost Wallace in the other ear. [;-)]

Alan its only a mild acid and compared to the paint thinners (my other post) that are sold commercially. If it didn't sting you know it was working [:)]

Candles Cathy? I thought the idea was to get wax out not put it in [:D]

[DZ]

This is quite heartening, so many people with ear problems - I don't feel alone any more!  Had my ears syringed yesterday, having used the "paint thinner", and now can hear better than I ever did in 10 years.  Maybe I will learn to speak better French now?!

[Bluebells]

yes last year had my 10 days olive oil etc under docs totalage Then she tried to syringe er no, so off to NIORT and this specialist who applied a very powerfull vax to me ear oles and voila a fag butt in each one (well at least thats what it looked like) amazing I could even here other half say - do you know where the washing up bowl is,needless to say it was stright back to the cotton buds!!!!