Understanding Perforated Eardrums
Hello everyone. I'm a 29-year-old female, and recently I've discovered that both of my eardrums have perforations. For the past month, I've been struggling with a severe inner ear infection affecting both ears. Initially, I was prescribed Amoxicillin and Prednisone at an urgent care facility. However, after noticing no improvement, I was switched to Cefdinir just last week. Today, I took a look at my ears using a small wax removal tool, and to my shock, I found holes in both eardrums. I understand that ear infections can lead to this condition, which likely explains the ongoing discomfort I’m experiencing. My concern now is whether I should seek emergency care or if a visit to my family doctor will suffice. It’s nearly midnight where I am, but I can reach out to my doctor in the morning. I just want to ensure that this isn't a situation that requires immediate attention. Additionally, I’ve realized that the idea of a bug entering through my perforated eardrums is quite frightening! Thank you all for your support ❤️
Answers (1)
8/18/2025, 4:01:59 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your situation, and I can understand how concerning it must be to discover perforated eardrums, especially in the context of an ongoing ear infection. Here’s a summary of the situation with essential guidance:
Main Points
- Perforated eardrums can occur due to ear infections and may lead to discomfort or complications.
- While it's concerning, a visit to your family doctor in the morning is appropriate unless you have severe symptoms.
Explanation
Perforated eardrums can happen when the infection in the ear leads to pressure build-up, resulting in a tear. Such perforations can allow bacteria or debris to enter, possibly leading to further complications. The discomfort you're experiencing is likely related to both the infection and the perforation. It's good to be cautious about your health, but many perforated eardrums can heal on their own with the right care.
Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any worsening symptoms, such as increased pain, fever, drainage that changes in color or smell, or hearing loss. If these occur, then consider seeking immediate medical attention.
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Hygiene Care: Avoid getting water or foreign objects in your ears; this is important as it can lead to further infection. Use gentle cleaning methods as advised, but refrain from inserting tools like wax removal devices.
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Pain Management: To manage discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be effective.
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Consult Your Doctor: Contact your family doctor first thing in the morning to discuss your symptoms and the discovery of the perforations. They are best positioned to evaluate your situation thoroughly.
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Stay Calm: While it’s natural to worry about insects or other issues entering through a perforation, the risk in everyday environments is quite low. Proper care and hygiene will help minimize such concerns.
By following these steps and staying attentive to any changes, you can navigate this situation effectively. Please remember to take care of yourself and reach out if you experience any alarming symptoms.
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