Understanding Ear Wax Buildup vs. Eardrum Injury
19 years old, standing at 5'11" and weighing 220 pounds, I’m Caucasian and currently on Wellbutrin. The sole health issue I believe relevant here is mild balance problems, though I'm uncertain of the specific diagnosis. Today, I utilized an ear-cleaning endoscope, as I’ve noticed a persistent buildup of earwax—something I’m genetically inclined to have. While I removed a significant amount of wax from my right ear, I started to experience some discomfort as I continued, although it wasn't too intense. At that point, I began to feel an unusual fullness in my ear, similar to having it blocked. I paused my efforts and applied a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in hopes of softening any remaining wax, but the fullness persisted. Afterward, I took a shower and let water gently flow into my ear, aiming to wash out the peroxide and further dislodge any buildup. Though this approach is already challenging for such a sensitive area, I foolishly tried to use the endoscope again. I noticed more wax present, but unfortunately, I accidentally touched my eardrum, which resulted in a sharp stinging sensation. Thankfully, there hasn’t been any bleeding, but the fullness and persistent ringing remain. I would prefer to avoid a visit to a physician if I can help it. Generally, I wouldn’t be overly concerned about this situation, but I’m curious if the sense of fullness and ringing will resolve on its own, and if there’s a risk of eardrum damage. Don’t worry, I won’t be trying to clean my ear out again! Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 3:51:17 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've had quite an experience with your ear cleaning efforts, and it's understandable to be concerned about the fullness and ringing you're experiencing. Here are the key points regarding your situation:
Main Points:
- You may have caused some irritation to your ear canal or possibly your eardrum, leading to feelings of fullness and ringing (tinnitus).
- Generally, if symptoms are mild and there’s no bleeding, they can often resolve on their own, but some careful monitoring is essential.
Explanation:
The sensation of fullness in your ear and the ringing you're experiencing might be due to a few factors:
- Earwax Buildup: Though you've removed some wax, residual wax or irritation might still be causing the feeling of fullness.
- Irritation: Accidentally touching the eardrum or manipulating the ear canal can lead to temporary irritation, which may manifest as discomfort, fullness, or tinnitus.
- Water Entrapment: Sometimes, water can get trapped in the ear canal, leading to feelings of fullness.
Since you mentioned the discomfort isn’t severe and there's no bleeding, it indicates that there may not be serious damage. However, persistent ringing and fullness should still be monitored.
Next Steps:
- Give It Time: Allow your ear some time to recover. Avoid any further cleaning attempts for at least a few days to give the ear canal a chance to heal.
- Manage Symptoms: To alleviate discomfort, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers if needed and apply a warm compress to the outside of your ear to soothe any irritation.
- Stay Dry: For the time being, try to keep your ear dry. If you suspect there’s water trapped, tilting your head and gently pulling on your earlobe may help.
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of how the fullness and ringing change over the next few days. If you notice any worsening symptoms, such as increased pain, discharge, or difficulty hearing, consider seeking further evaluation.
While you prefer to avoid a physician, if symptoms don’t improve in a week or worsen, it would be best to get them assessed professionally to ensure no serious issues are present.
Take care, and I hope you find relief soon!
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