I did something to my ear...?

Question

I had alot of earwax in my right ear so I twisted the corner of a kleenex and put it in my ear. I got alot of it out but when I put the kleenex in I started getting sharp pains.. I ignored them but now my ear REALLY hurts. Did I perforate my eardrum or is there just alot of build-up? I know I shouldn't clean my ear like that but it feels good to get the stuff out.. :x

I already put eardrops in my ear, they are not helping.. what should I do? How should I sleep on it? My mom probably not take me to the doctors for this for at least a few days so I wanna figure out if it's something I should be concerned about.

Answer 1

You could have pushed the wax into the eardrum and tore it. They can't do anything for torn eardrums (they heal on their own, but hurt like... well, you know) but the wax is a problem - doctors have special tools to remove it without jamming it farther in - I would NOT try it again and I would stop with the drops, as well - you could just be introducing nasties into your inner ear if it IS torn.

Best of luck! Convince mom that you are in dire need of a doc if it still hurts tomorrow!

Oh yeah- I would sleep with that side facing down in hopes that gravity would help pull a little of the junk out.  

Answer 2

If you let earwax build up, then you are prone to an ear infection which you probably have now. If your mom won't take you to the doctor, just go to the emergency room and get it checked. By law they can't turn you away, and they MUST see you. Hopefully you can drive, or have a friend who can drive you.

But for tonight, (providing you can't go to the emergency room) use a small heating pad for 30 minutes on low. take the pad off and let your ear cool down. Roll over so that your ear is facing down with the heating pad under you. When you want to go to sleep, turn the heating pad off. Not a good idea to sleep with it on.

Answer 3

I doubt that your kleenex went that far into your ear to have reached your eardrum. Lay your head on its right side on a heating pad and see if that helps.