Should I Consult a Doctor for Post-Ear Infection Itchiness?
Hello everyone, I’m a 24-year-old female who recently experienced a case of both otitis media and otitis externa in my right ear. I was diagnosed at an urgent care facility and subsequently treated with cefpodoxime and ofloxacin ear drops. After about three days, the pain gradually began to diminish. It has now been six days since my last dose, but I am still experiencing occasional itchiness in my ear. Additionally, I've noticed that the wax has an unpleasant odor compared to my other ear. While the discomfort isn’t severe enough to compel me to seek medical attention, I am concerned about the possibility of complications or an escalation of my symptoms. Is it typical to experience this level of itchiness and odor a week after treatment, or would it be wise to have it evaluated by a healthcare professional? Just to clarify, there is no pain involved, merely slight itchiness and a smelly sensation in the ear canal. For context, I take guanfacine on a daily basis for ADHD and I occasionally use marijuana.
Answers (1)
7/26/2025, 2:10:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
Itchiness and an unusual odor in your ear after treatment for ear infections can happen, but it's important to monitor these symptoms carefully. Let's address your concerns and provide some clarity on your situation.
Main Points:
- It's not uncommon to experience some itchiness and changes in earwax after ear infections.
- An unusual odor or persistent symptoms after treatment may warrant further evaluation.
Explanation:
After having both otitis media (middle ear infection) and otitis externa (outer ear infection), your ear may still go through changes as it heals. Itchiness can result from dryness or irritation in the ear canal. The unpleasant odor may indicate residual infection, wax buildup, or even a minor fungal issue.
It’s a good sign that you’re not experiencing pain, but persistent itchiness and odor are symptoms you should keep an eye on since they can indicate healing issues or new complications.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in itchiness, odor, or if any new symptoms arise like pain, discharge, or hearing loss.
-
Gentle Ear Care: Avoid inserting anything into your ear, including cotton swabs. You can gently rinse the outer ear with warm water while showering, but avoid getting water inside the ear canal.
-
Hydrate and Humidify: Staying hydrated and using a humidifier can help keep your ear canal moist, reducing itchiness.
-
Avoid Irritants: Since you occasionally use marijuana, be mindful that smoke can irritate your ears and further exacerbate symptoms.
-
Consider Follow-Up: If the itchiness or odor persists beyond another few days, or if you notice any changes like increased discomfort or discharge, it may be prudent to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
While it can be reassuring that your symptoms are relatively mild, staying proactive is key to ensuring complete healing. Let me know if you have any further questions!
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in the Hip Region
**Age**: 33 **Gender**: Male **Height**: 6 feet **Ethnicity**: Caucasian **Alcohol Consumption**: 3-6 drinks per week, no illicit drug use **Personal History**: When the initial episode of pain arose, I was employed as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) working 12-hour shifts on a bustling neurology and nephrology unit. This role involved assisting with the mobility of numerous patients, often requiring me to lift or adjust them physically, including actions such as bending and twisting to reposition them in bed. Although I did not recall experiencing pain during these movements, I distinctly remember feeling a sharp sensation after twisting to exit a doorway. I have since transitioned to a position as a registered nurse (RN) in an operating room, working four 10-hour shifts per week. At the time of the incident, I was in excellent physical condition, but I have since reduced my exercise routine considerably. **Injury Triggering Events**: The initial pain occurred on January 6, 2023. In the weeks leading up to this, there had been a significant ice storm where I nearly slipped, but fortunately did not fall. I vividly recall a moment of desperately trying to maintain my balance as my upper body leaned forward. Prior to the incident, I had increased my running mileage, with a notable 4.27-mile run on January 3, 2023, including a 600-foot elevation gain. Just before that, I completed a 3-mile run on December 27, 2022, but had not run at all the month prior, with only a previous 1.3-mile run. Aside from that, I also had a heavy drinking session on January 1, 2023. **Pain Location**: The discomfort is located between the lesser trochanter and the ischial tuberosity. **Pain Description**: The sensation is sharp and feels as though something has given way. It typically arises intermittently, meaning that once it occurs, it is likely to be triggered again within the same day. The intensity of the pain fluctuates from a mild 1 to a significant 7. This pain does not radiate, nor does it manifest as burning or tingling. On examination, it is challenging to pinpoint the exact source, as palpation reveals tenderness in the surrounding muscles without identifying a specific painful spot. Even when sharp sensations are not present, a dull ache persists, accompanied by significant tightness in the hip muscles. **Activities that Trigger Pain**: - Walking for more than 20 minutes - Twisting while bearing weight, particularly when crouching (like trying to lift a heavy shopping cart while keeping the lower body stationary) - Pushing objects forward with improper posture (this is infrequent but can still cause pain) - Performing single-leg Pallof presses on the injured leg - Deadlifts, which induce extreme tightness but not necessarily sharp pain - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), particularly when lifting someone using one leg **Activities that Aggravate Pain**: - Prolonged standing - Extended sitting - Pushing off the right leg while twisting - Swimming (especially twisting to breathe) - Cycling (sitting position) - BJJ (standing grappling) - Most hamstring-related exercises **Treatment Attempts**: I have undergone months of physical therapy with four different therapists, who diagnosed varying conditions such as gluteal tendinopathy, instability of the sacroiliac joint, and severe tendonitis. While physical therapy has offered some relief, the progress has been disappointingly slow, and minor triggering events often revert my recovery. I have also received numerous injections of lidocaine and Kenalog (in both the joint space and deep gluteal area), multiple X-rays (which revealed no issues), and several MRIs with and without contrast that identified an anterior labral tear. I underwent surgery for this tear on August 6, 2024, during which the surgeon reshaped my femur, performed a capsular release, and addressed the labrum. After three months of rehabilitation, the procedure did not yield the expected results. **Relief Measures**: Occasionally, applying ice provides some relief. Physical therapy sessions generally help alleviate discomfort temporarily, and resting—particularly doing minimal activities on weekends—has proven beneficial. **Additional Insights**: Interestingly, activities like snowboarding and waterskiing cause me minimal irritation, despite their extensive durations. However, bench pressing can lead to soreness the following day, possibly due to the lifting aspect. Post-runs or long walks, I sometimes experience triggering pain upon stepping, even if the runs felt good during the activity. **Current Status**: I am still engaged in physical therapy, focusing on blood flow restriction (BFR) training, dry needling, and exercises targeting the abductors. I consulted a new doctor who recommended exploring shockwave therapy and possibly seeing a pelvic floor specialist or obtaining an MRI for my lower back. At this stage, I find myself in a state of desperation; the impact of this condition has significantly affected my identity and quality of life. I am actively seeking advice, anecdotal experiences, recommendations for healthcare providers in the Seattle area, or any assistance that could provide relief. Thank you for considering my situation.
Experiencing Persistent Headaches After Quitting Sertraline
Greetings! For the past couple of weeks, I've been suffering from some troubling headaches. It all started last Tuesday when I woke up feeling dizzy and extremely anxious, and I ended up vomiting twice. This same pattern occurred on Wednesday, prompting me to contact my doctor. He suggested that I might be dealing with late withdrawal symptoms from sertraline, as I have a heightened sensitivity to SSRIs. I had been on a dosage of 25-50mg of Zoloft for approximately a month, and it's now been four weeks since I stopped abruptly. Since that initial episode, I've faced ongoing issues including anxiety, nausea, and light-headedness. Additionally, from Wednesday onward, I’ve started to experience a mild headache and some blurred vision. Thankfully, the pain in my head seems to be gradually improving each day, though the nausea lingers. I tried taking migraine medication, but it didn’t provide relief; the only thing that seems to help is hydroxyzine, which I use occasionally. Concerned about my symptoms, I decided to have an MRI of my head done about two days ago to rule out any serious issues. The results are expected to come back in about three to five weeks. Should I be concerned about my symptoms? Is there anything I can do while I wait for the MRI results? Thank you for your advice!
Dealing with Dizziness and Health Challenges
Hello everyone, I’m a stage 4 cancer fighter standing at 5'6" and weighing 92.3 kg. Recently, I had a blood transfusion because my hemoglobin levels had plummeted to 7.4 three weeks prior. I went in for chemotherapy last week, but my neutrophil count was dreadfully low at .36, which meant I couldn’t proceed with the treatment. We’re now scheduled to try again this Wednesday, with hopes for a treatment session on Thursday. Yesterday, I experienced frequent bouts of lightheadedness whenever I moved my head, and today has been somewhat similar. Earlier, I felt quite nauseous but, unfortunately, I didn’t have any anti-nausea medication on hand. Later in the afternoon, my nausea returned, and I ended up vomiting before I could take Zofran. My current regimen, apart from the chemotherapy, includes a multivitamin, calcium with vitamin D, senna, a zinc supplement to address a deficiency, 175 mcg of Levothyroxine daily, 10 mg of Eliquis each day, 40 mg of Pantoprazole twice daily, a .075 mg Estradiol Transdermal System per day, and 200 mg of Progesterone daily. Additionally, I take 60 mg of Duloxetine daily for pain management due to a fractured femur, use a Butrans patch delivering 20 mcg per hour for pain control, and take Olanzapine 5 mg to help me sleep. I also take Pepcid before bedtime. A friend of mine is worried that my hemoglobin may have dropped again and thinks I shouldn’t wait until Wednesday to monitor my lab results. The nearest emergency department affiliated with my care team is quite far away—93 miles each way—and since I can’t drive due to my femur injury, I would rely on someone else for transportation. Additionally, driving while feeling dizzy is not ideal. If any medical professionals have advice or insights, I would greatly appreciate your input. I’m truly thankful for the support I’ve received throughout this difficult journey, and I aspire to pursue a career in medicine after overcoming this relentless cancer. I’m considered treatable but not curable, and I’m currently on my last treatment option for esophageal cancer. I cherish all the wonderful people I’ve met during this process, including nurses and doctors who feel like family. So, even on your hardest days, know that there are patients like me who find inspiration in your dedication to helping us! ❤️
Understanding Arachnoid Cysts: My Experience
I am a 29-year-old woman living in the southern region of the United States. I occasionally indulge in vaping and consume alcohol. In January 2021, I was involved in a car accident, during which doctors discovered an arachnoid cyst measuring 3.5cm by 2.2cm by 2.4cm. Six months post-accident, I underwent an MRI scan that revealed the cyst had slightly increased in size to 3.6cm by 2.4cm by 2.8cm. The medical professionals reassured me that this was not a cause for alarm. However, just yesterday, I found myself at the emergency room of a different hospital due to numbness and heaviness in my left arm. Initially, the medical team suspected it might be a stroke, leading to a series of tests. Ultimately, they determined that I was experiencing hyperventilation and released me a few hours later, though they noted the presence of an arachnoid cyst. Upon reviewing my medical report, I saw that the cyst had now increased to 4.4cm by 3.2cm. Comparing it to my earlier findings (I do not have past imaging), it appears that the cyst is accumulating more fluid. The hospital I visited referred me to a neurologist, and I plan to make the call on Monday. I had always believed that arachnoid cysts were generally stable and did not enlarge. Should I be worried about this development?
Tingling Sensation in Left Leg
Hello everyone, I’m a 21-year-old male, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. My alcohol consumption includes around six beers weekly, plus infrequent use of nicotine (Zyn). Lately, I’ve been experiencing a tingling sensation, similar to pins and needles, in my left leg—specifically in the back of my thigh and calf area. This has been ongoing for the past week or two. Fortunately, it's not causing me any pain, but I find it concerning. The sensation is intermittent; it doesn’t occur constantly and appears to happen sporadically without any clear pattern. I haven’t noticed any weakness in my leg, and it doesn't feel numb. Instead, it’s akin to an internal itch that I can’t alleviate. I transitioned off Zoloft recently, and the tingling sensations began after I started that medication. I also experienced severe nausea during its use, which has since subsided. Due to my significant health anxiety, I’m worried that I could be facing a serious neurological disorder. I've been attending therapy to help manage my anxiety surrounding health issues. I am scheduled to consult with both my psychiatrist and primary care physician soon, but I would appreciate any initial insights or guidance that anyone might have regarding these symptoms.