OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Ear Infection Experience

8/29/2025, 4:41:34 AMMale25-34

At 26 years old, I recently endured a challenging episode with an ear infection. As a result, I've noticed that my eardrum appears to have a dent and some visible veins. I don't smoke, nor do I have any health issues that I’m aware of.

Multiple SclerosisLupusInternal Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

8/29/2025, 4:41:53 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're dealing with some concerning changes after your ear infection, specifically a dent and visible veins in your eardrum. While it's good to hear that you don’t smoke and have no known health issues, it’s still important to take note of these changes as they may indicate lingering effects from the infection.

Main Points:

  1. Changes in the eardrum can occur after an ear infection, which might be normal healing, but they should be monitored.
  2. Keeping track of your symptoms and how they evolve is vital for understanding your situation better.

Explanation: After an ear infection, it’s common for the eardrum to undergo changes as it heals. The dent (or retraction) and visible veins can be part of the healing process or indicate fluid buildup or pressure changes. It’s essential to pay close attention to any other symptoms you may have, such as hearing changes, pain, or fluid drainage.

Next Steps:
Here’s what you can do to manage your situation:

  1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a record of any symptoms you experience over the next few days, including changes in hearing, pain, or any drainage from the ear.

  2. Avoid Irritants: Keep your ear dry and avoid getting water or irritants in it. Be careful with activities like diving or swimming until you feel completely healed.

  3. Pain Management: If you have discomfort, consider using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to the package instructions.

  4. Follow-Up Observation: If you notice worsening symptoms, such as significant pain, discharge, or changes in hearing, it's crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

  5. Care for your ear: If you are using any ear drops or medications prescribed during your ear infection, continue to follow those instructions.

Staying aware of your body’s signals and acting on any concerning changes is key. I hope you feel better soon; consistency in monitoring and taking care of your ear will aid your recovery. Let me know if you have more questions or require further clarification!

Related Questions

Feeling of Pressure in the Head and Ears with Hearing Difficulties

Age: 23, Female I’ll attempt to articulate my experience in detail, as it’s something that I struggle to comprehend myself. For the past week, during moments of quiet—especially while attempting to sleep—I have been experiencing a significant sensation of unease in my ears and my head. To illustrate, it feels akin to wearing headphones that are blaring an unbearable sound at full volume. However, I do not actually hear any tinnitus or external noise during these instances; rather, I endure profound discomfort. It's not precisely painful; it resembles an intense pressure, reminiscent of being deep underwater where it feels as though my eardrums or head could burst. This sensation persists for a few minutes, and it is so overwhelming that I often have to pause my activities and hold my head in an effort to alleviate the sensation. On other occasions, I notice a low, booming sound, similar to what one might hear underwater, accompanied by slight distortion, and I also detect a rhythmic pressure against my ears that aligns with the cadence and intensity of the rumbling sound. It almost feels like I can sense the pressure from my blood coursing through my head; these episodes are intermittent and also last for a few minutes. I have dealt with tinnitus—specifically a high-frequency ringing—for many years, so I am accustomed to that sensation. However, experiencing low-frequency tinnitus is entirely new for me. Additionally, I'm finding it increasingly challenging to hear conversations with others.

LupusFibromyalgiaThyroid Disorders
Male25-34
2 minutes ago

Persistent Ear Infection for a Month with No Improvement After Two Courses of Antibiotics?

Age: 24 Weight: 190 lbs Height: 6’3" About a month ago, I began experiencing dizziness during gaming sessions. Initially, I thought this was due to prolonged screen exposure, but cutting back on that didn't seem to help. I went to urgent care and was diagnosed with an ear infection, for which they prescribed both amoxicillin and antibiotic ear drops. After completing the 10-day course, I sought treatment again at a different urgent care because my usual one was closed; I still felt unwell. The physician evaluated me and indicated that everything looked normal but suggested I continue to limit my screen time. Eventually, I visited my regular urgent care facility, covered by insurance, and they confirmed I still had an ear infection. They provided me with ciprofloxacin ear drops and recommended some allergy medication to help alleviate the fluid buildup behind the eardrum. This included Flonase and what I believe to be a nasal spray containing fluticasone. After another ten days, I initially felt some improvement, but upon my return to urgent care today, I learned that while the inner ear infection had resolved, there was still fluid present in the inner ear and a slight infection remaining in the outer ear canal. The doctor took a swab to identify the issue further. Should I be worried? I've read that lingering fluid can lead to complications like hearing loss and tinnitus. The medical professional suggested I take NyQuil for a week, but I'm curious whether this is safe to combine with Flonase and fluticasone. Currently, I experience only mild pain and occasional minor dizziness, which has improved significantly. However, I do feel a persistent sense of mild pressure in the area.

LupusInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
33 minutes ago

Guidelines for Creating an Advanced Directive: Ensuring Peaceful Medical Choices

I am in the process of drafting my advanced directive, which will detail my preferences regarding medical treatment during emergencies. I seek guidance on what aspects to include. At 41 years old and residing in Switzerland, I am currently in good health, though I previously battled stage 3c rectal cancer, undergoing extensive pelvic radiation and chemotherapy. It is crucial to me that, if the cancer recurs or if another malignancy related to the past treatment arises, I do not endure a painful demise. I have encountered numerous distressing accounts of individuals suffering from advanced colorectal cancers, experiencing protracted and agonizing deaths under dire circumstances - significant weight loss, unbearable pain, and severe complications like fistulas. Additionally, I am opposed to being placed in a prolonged coma for any extended period. What specific instructions should I include to ensure my wishes are clearly communicated in my advanced directive?

LupusCrohn's DiseaseRheumatology
Male25-34
53 minutes ago

Optimal Timing for Hyaluronic Acid and PRP Injections in Chondromalacia Patella

As a 31-year-old individual living with ankylosing spondylitis, ligamentous laxity, and chondromalacia patella, I have some pressing questions. Specifically, when is the ideal moment to administer PRP or hyaluronic acid injections for chondromalacia patella? Is one treatment considered superior to the other, and should these therapies be pursued sequentially or simultaneously? Currently, I am experiencing a flare-up that manifests as persistent knee pain characterized by a dull burning and tingling sensation for over a month. Unlike in the past two years, where my discomfort would subside with adequate rest, this time it has not responded to standard treatments like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Given this situation, would taking oral corticosteroids be advisable to alleviate inflammation, or could this interfere with the healing of the cartilage? I suspect that irritation has occurred due to my recent routine of performing hamstring curls repeatedly for an entire week, which might have aggravated my knee. Additionally, I have been excessively massaging my quadriceps tendon using a powerful theragun. Moreover, I have been dealing with extremely tight hamstrings, hip flexors, adductors, and a notably prominent iliotibial band (IT band).

ArthritisLupusCrohn's Disease
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Concerns Regarding Elevated M20 High Alp Levels

I recently reviewed some of my test results and haven't yet consulted my GP. I neither consume alcohol, smoke, nor use any illegal substances. Here are my lab findings: - Phosphate: 1.6 mmol/L (below the normal range) - Creatinine: 43 μmol/L (above the normal range) - Alkaline Phosphatase: 148 U/L (above the normal range) - MPV: 12.1 fL (above the normal range) In my preliminary research, I discovered that elevated alkaline phosphatase levels could indicate that I might still be in a growth phase, which seems odd to me since I assumed that my growth plates had already fused.

Crohn's DiseaseThyroid DisordersInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago