Concerns About Ear Canal Condition
As a 37-year-old woman with a childhood history of glue ear and related hearing difficulties, I've recently encountered a new issue with my ear. I recently purchased a camera out of curiosity to explore the appearance of my ear canal, which had previously been trouble-free. However, in the past few weeks, I observed a small mark developing on the inner side of my ear canal. Upon closer examination, it appears to be more like a perforation, and when I touch it, it feels unusually firm, almost like bone beneath the surface. Should I consider scheduling an appointment with my general practitioner regarding this? I live in England, and I'm concerned about the potential implications. I’ve decided against using the camera again for ear examination, as I prefer not to exacerbate the situation or risk causing an infection. I appreciate any guidance you can provide on this matter.
Answers (1)
8/16/2025, 4:30:57 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about changes in your ear canal, especially given your history of glue ear. The appearance of a firm mark or possible perforation in your ear canal warrants attention, as it could indicate various conditions, including infections or structural changes.
Explanation:
The ear canal's lining can change due to a variety of factors, such as infections, injuries from cleaning, or even residual effects from your childhood issues. Since it feels firm and has changed recently, it's wise to take appropriate steps to address your concerns.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor the Area: Keep an eye on the mark and note any changes over the next week, such as increased firmness, pain, itching, or discharge. Take note of any hearing changes as well.
-
Avoid Further Irritation: Refraining from using the camera is a good choice, as excessive manipulation can lead to irritation or infection. Avoid inserting anything into your ear.
-
Seek Professional Evaluation: Scheduling an appointment with a general practitioner is advisable, especially if you notice discomfort or any changes in the mark. This is important to rule out infections or other conditions that may need treatment.
-
Maintain Ear Hygiene: Keep your ears dry and clean, but avoid aggressive cleaning methods. If you notice any drainage, consider using a gentle drying agent, but consult your GP for personalized advice before applying any medication.
Although it might be worrying, taking these steps will help ensure that you get the right care and reassurance regarding your ear health. Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns!
Related Questions
Unexpected Nasal Issues After Head Injuries
I am a 46-year-old male, standing at 1.84 meters (6 feet) and weighing 84 kg (185 lb). Last year, I had an unfortunate incident while changing my car's license plate in a parking lot. As I stood up, I accidentally bumped my head against the edge of a storage unit. Initially, I felt fine, but two days later, while reaching down to pick up a toy my child had left on the ground, I noticed a small, watery liquid leaking from my nose. This unexpected occurrence caused me some concern, as I had never experienced anything like it before. Being that my health insurance was lacking at the time, I decided to visit Mexico for a medical consultation, suspecting it could be a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. During my trip, I found that bending down didn’t produce any discharge, but if I lay on my right side, a significant amount of yellowish fluid would drain from my nose. The first instance was alarming enough to create a sensation of drowning, although it only lasted a few moments. This event repeated twice more the following day, and I even demonstrated it to my mother, who is in the medical field. An MRI and examination by an ear, nose, and throat specialist yielded no abnormalities. They speculated that it might be a coincidence or possibly sinusitis. Meanwhile, the leakage persisted, though it seemed to shift from my nose to the back of my throat. I had assumed I needed to adapt to this situation. Doctors suggested that allergies in my living environment could be causing such excessive drainage, which ultimately prevented the formation of typical mucus and prompted a watery discharge instead. Fortunately, after several months, the issue resolved itself without any clear timeline of its duration since my concern had diminished. Fast forward to 2024: while playing with my kids at a playground, I was bending over to catch one of them when I collided with a tube on the structure, hitting my head yet again. This incident worried me since I feared a recurrence of my previous problems. Sure enough, a few days later, I began to notice a wet sensation on the left side of my nose, with the liquid once again draining towards the back of my throat. I sought help at the emergency room; an MRI confirmed that nothing was amiss, yet I endured persistent headaches for nearly two months. To cope, I began wearing a hat to distract from the mild discomfort, which felt more like surface irritation than anything within my head. Concurrent with these symptoms, I noticed that I was struggling to recall certain words, which unnerved me, especially since English isn't my first language. I remember distinctly forgetting the word "butter" and experiencing difficulty recalling common names and terms. The fear of possibly developing dementia prompted me to consult a neurologist, which culminated in a panic attack—a new and unsettling experience for me. However, he reassured me that my condition was manageable. People around me attributed my symptoms to stress, exacerbated by job-related anxiety and visa uncertainties at that time. A subsequent MRI showed normal results. I traveled to Mexico in December, but the trip began poorly as my ability to focus remained severely compromised. However, after some weeks, I felt improvement; I started recalling words more easily, and my overall clarity returned, making life more manageable, both personally and at work as a software developer. Just last week, I faced another setback when, while tying my shoes, my child accidentally kicked me in the head. The familiar watery sensation returned, alongside a recurrence of throat irritation. I waited in hopes that the symptoms would subside, but by last night, the headache reappeared, this time localized on the right side of my head. Concerned, I returned to the emergency room for evaluation. Once again, they conducted imaging and determined there were no apparent issues. This morning, I noticed soreness in my throat while drinking, consistent with the previous episodes. I'm currently feeling a moist sensation on the left side of my nose as I type this out, and I’m perplexed because I have sought advice from two ENT specialists and two neurologists, all concluding that my MRI results were normal. One neurologist mentioned the possibility of collecting the fluid for further examination to check for a CSF leak, though obtaining a sufficient sample is challenging since the sensation doesn’t consistently produce a noticeable amount of liquid. It's frustrating not knowing whether these symptoms are stress-related, coincidental allergies, or something more significant. During my last emergency visit, a doctor suggested that perhaps my sinuses react unusually following head injuries. I find myself at a loss for what to do now and thought I might seek advice on Reddit, hoping to connect with others who might offer insight. If anyone has recommendations for a doctor in the Los Angeles area who could assist me, I would sincerely appreciate the help. I haven't yet received the scans from last night but intend to follow up with the hospital this week. EDIT: I've opted to create a throwaway account for this post, as I prefer to keep this off my main internet history!
Discomfort in Big Toenail After Extended Standing
Today, I spent about five hours assisting with grape harvesting. Although I’ve walked for long durations in the past, I haven’t stood still for such a lengthy period before. The terrain was somewhat uneven, which added to the challenge as I remained in one spot for quite some time. Upon returning home and finally relaxing, I realized that my big toenails were experiencing discomfort. It felt like there was a pressure emanating from beneath the nails. While my little toes felt slightly similar, the sensation was much more pronounced in the area of the big toenails. After noticing the discomfort, I examined my toenails. They appeared neither red nor bruised. A few hours later, I took a photo in a dimly lit room, and it seemed to reveal a slight pinkish hue at the top of the nail beneath the white section; however, this area wasn’t the source of pain. The pressure and soreness are concentrated more towards the center of the toenails. I can confidently say this is not an issue with ingrown toenails, as I have encountered that problem previously, and this experience feels entirely different.
Concern Over Nail Integrity
I've been dealing with paronychia and have spent the past week on antibiotics for treatment. However, as my nail begins to grow back, I've come across an unsettling issue: the left side, where the infection had been trapped beneath my nail, now features a hole in the nail bed. It appears almost detached from the base of my finger, which is causing me quite a bit of concern. I'm feeling quite anxious about how this will affect the nail's growth moving forward, and whether it could lead to my nail completely coming off. I would appreciate any advice or information regarding this matter. I'm a 21-year-old female, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, generally in good health, a non-smoker, and without any significant health problems aside from this issue.
Red Marks on Skin
I'm a 29-year-old female, 5'8" tall, and I'm not taking any new medications. Recently, I noticed some red marks on my arm when I woke up. Initially, I thought it might be a burn from the heating pad I used, but after about a day, they disappeared. However, this morning I discovered a similar red patch on my left breast. It's not raised, doesn't cause any pain, isn't itchy, and feels cool to the touch. The skin texture is normal compared to the unaffected areas around it. Does anyone have an idea about what this might be?
Navigating Drug Tests and Medical Cannabis
I seek guidance and suggestions and I apologize if this isn’t the right forum for my question. I am a 51-year-old woman weighing 135 pounds, managing chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). My health regimen includes a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from 2002, along with medications such as Synthroid, Wellbutrin XL, Protonix, ibuprofen, and a daily intake of 500 mg of calcium and a Centrum multivitamin specifically formulated for women over 50. Occasionally, I take 1 mg of alprazolam when necessary. I maintain an active lifestyle, averaging between 15,000 to 20,000 steps each day through running and walking, while working outdoors in hot conditions, leading to significant perspiration. I stay well-hydrated, consuming nearly a gallon of water daily. Recently, I had resumed moderate use of medical marijuana, indulging in a few dabs and a joint five weeks back after a two-month hiatus from all substances. I typically use a 2:1 CBD/THC and a 2:1 CBN/THC edible about five times weekly, but I discontinued the edibles on August 6th. Now, I face a urine drug test for a position that requires high safety standards. I self-tested last Saturday and again today, both of which returned positive results for THC. The pre-employment test is expected to take place within the week. I am concerned about my ability to clear this test. Will it be possible to pass? The testing will be conducted at a laboratory. Are there specific foods or supplements that might expedite the elimination of THC from my body? Conversely, are there any items I should avoid? I am eager to learn if there are any effective methods to rid my system of THC. I have heard about using synthetic urine for drug testing, but I’d prefer to explore legitimate avenues for detoxification. Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.