Swimmers ear, home remedy?

Question

My son went swimming, got water in his ear, now it hurts, and has clear to yellowish stuff draining out, what can I do to relieve the pain until I can get him into the doctor? Is there a home remedy that I can use to get rid of it all together, he has had tubes in his ears, and the swimmers ear drops say NOT to use if the eardrum has a hole in it, which it does. Can anyone help me?

Notice I said swimmers ear drops say NOT to use them? They have alcohol in them, apparently that can NOT get behind the ear drum...? Have done the hot towel, and tylenol, he said the pain is going away, but he's going to wake me up if it starts coming back during the night. Thank you! I worry though, that the Dr. can't get him in tomorrow. Last time I was sick, it took the Dr. 5 DAYS to get me in! I can't see waiting that long for his ear, and I won't, if the Dr can't get us in tomorrow, he'll be in the ER...I won't wait for an ear, especially if he's still in pain.

Answer 1

Mild swimmer’s ear can also be treated with a few drops of white vinegar placed in both ears. Put a few drops of vinegar in one ear and leave it in the ear canal for about five minutes before turning the ear down in order to drain the solution.

This sounds like an infection for sure, this might help the ball rolling for the Doc.  Good luck.

Answer 2

Get epsom salts, wrap into a towel and heat in the microwave.  The salts hold the heat longer and work a bit better than a heating pad.  Keep taking the tylenol.  I had another remedy which I pulled after rereading and seeing he had a perforated eardrum.

I know this is a stupid question, but have you made sure all teh water is out of his ear now - you can actually use a hair dryer against his ear to dry it out.  It's bacteria in the ear canal from the water remaining and it's serious without treatment.   If  it's still a problem tomorrow, if you can't in to your doctor, see if you can get into one of those "Urgent Care" type clinics.  

Sorry couldn't be more help - all of the advice includes adding ear drops, and even on natural medicine sites recommends seeing a doctor.  

GOOD LUCK!  

Here was the warning on the Mayo clinic site:

When To See A Doctor

The following symptoms need immediate attention, says Laura Orvidas, M.D., senior associate consultant and instructor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

* Drainage (especially a foul-smelling yellowish or milky discharge) from the ear

* Hearing loss

* Sudden, sharp pain in the ear

"Even in the absence of a fever, these symptoms indicate a serious infection that requires medical treatment," says Dr. Orvidas. "Your doctor will most likely prescribe an antibiotic and eardrops containing cortisone."

Answer 3

It sounds like his eardrum has already burst.  When my son had stuff draining out of his ears, the doctor had a look and said BOTH ears had burst, but that the holes didn't require surgery, they would heal fine, with no hearing loss.  He has a high tolerance for pain, and so I didn't know anything was wrong with him until I saw the stuff in his ears.

I hope your son feels better soon, but I would NOT put anything IN the ear until the doctor sees him.  He could try laying his head on a heating pad with a washcloth or small towel covering it, though.