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Tag: ear pain

  • How to use ear drops correctly: a step-by-step guide

    How to use ear drops correctly: a step-by-step guide

    Ear drops are one of the treatments we prescribe most often in our practice in Punta Cana, especially for otitis externa or “swimmer’s ear”. But how well they work depends largely on how they are applied: if the liquid does not reach the ear canal or runs right back out, the treatment loses its effect.

    What are ear drops used for?

    They are liquid medicines placed directly into the ear canal. They are used, among other things, to:

    • Treat outer ear infections, such as otitis externa.
    • Soften and help remove excess earwax.
    • Relieve itching, pain, discharge or a blocked feeling in the ear.

    Before you start

    • Check the label: make sure it is the right medicine and that it has not expired.
    • Find out whether you need to shake the bottle before each use.
    • Ask your doctor whether the drops go in one ear or both, how many drops, how often and for how many days.
    • Warm the bottle by holding it in your hand for 1 to 2 minutes. Drops that are too cold or too warm can make you dizzy.

    Step by step

    1. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water. If you like, gently clean the outer ear with a damp cloth and dry it.
    2. Lie on your side (or tilt your head) with the affected ear facing up.
    3. Straighten the ear canal: in adults and older children, gently pull the ear up and back; in babies and young children, down and back.
    4. Hold the dropper tip close to the ear opening without touching it and put in the prescribed number of drops.
    5. Gently press or rub the small flap of skin in front of the ear canal (the tragus) a few times to help the drops go in.
    6. Stay in that position for 3 to 5 minutes.
    7. If your doctor recommends it, place a small piece of cotton at the ear opening to keep the liquid from running out.
    8. Rinse the dropper tip with hot water, dry it with a clean cloth, close the bottle tightly and wash your hands again.

    Tip: put a towel under your head (or over your shoulder if you are sitting up); it is normal for a little liquid to run out.

    Possible side effects

    They are usually mild: itching, burning or stinging, more discharge, and dizziness, especially if the drops are cold. If they are severe or do not go away, see your doctor.

    When not to use them without checking first

    • If you have, or think you may have, a ruptured eardrum. Warning signs: very severe ear pain, ringing in the ear, trouble hearing or hearing loss. In that case, do not use drops.
    • If you have ear tubes.
    • If pus or blood is coming out of your ear.

    Other tips

    • Store the drops away from heat and sunlight; in Punta Cana’s climate, avoid leaving them in the car or at the beach.
    • Do not share your ear drops with others: this can spread germs and infections.
    • Finish the full course of treatment, even if you feel better sooner.

    On Call Medical Assistance can see you at your hotel, villa or residence in Punta Cana and Bávaro if you have ear pain or questions about your treatment. Contact us.

    This article is for educational purposes and does not replace evaluation by a healthcare professional. Reference: UpToDate, Patient education: How to use ear drops (The Basics), 2026.

  • Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa): how to recognize, treat and prevent it

    Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa): how to recognize, treat and prevent it

    Few places invite you to spend the whole day in the water like Punta Cana: beaches, pools, snorkeling and diving trips. That is why, in our daily practice, we frequently see a problem that can easily spoil a vacation: otitis externa, better known as “swimmer’s ear”.

    What is otitis externa?

    It is an infection of the skin lining the ear canal, the passage that runs from the opening of the ear to the eardrum. Although it is very common in swimmers, it can affect anyone.

    Why does it happen?

    The skin of the ear canal is delicate. When it is irritated, scratched or stays damp for too long, bacteria find an ideal environment to grow. The most common triggers are:

    • Frequent swimming in the sea or pool: water softens the skin and makes it more vulnerable.
    • Using cotton swabs, fingernails or other objects to “clean” the ear.
    • Removing too much earwax (wax actually protects the ear).
    • Prolonged use of hearing aids, earbuds or earplugs that rub the skin.

    Symptoms to watch for

    • Ear pain that gets worse when you touch or gently pull the outer ear.
    • Itching inside the ear.
    • Fluid or pus draining from the ear.
    • A blocked feeling or reduced hearing.

    How is it diagnosed?

    No lab tests are needed. The doctor makes the diagnosis based on your symptoms and by examining the ear with an otoscope. Sometimes the doctor will gently clean the ear canal so the treatment works better.

    Treatment

    The usual treatment is ear drops prescribed by your doctor, along with pain relievers. Tips for applying them correctly:

    • Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
    • In adults, gently pull the ear up and back; in children, down and back. This straightens the canal so the drops reach deeper.
    • Stay in that position for about 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Finish the full course of treatment, even if you feel better sooner.

    Care while it heals

    • Keep the ear dry. Avoid swimming for about 7 to 10 days.
    • When showering, you can protect the ear opening with a cotton ball coated with a little petroleum jelly, without pushing it into the canal.
    • Do not use hearing aids or earbuds, or put anything in the ear, until symptoms improve.

    How to prevent it (without giving up the beach)

    • Do not put cotton swabs or other objects in your ears. If you are concerned about earwax, see your doctor.
    • After swimming, tilt your head to drain the water, or dry your ears with a hair dryer on the lowest setting, held at a distance.
    • Ask at the pharmacy about over-the-counter drying ear drops to use after swimming.
    • If you swim often, use clean earplugs in good condition.

    When to see a doctor

    Seek medical care if symptoms get worse at any time or do not improve after about 6 days of treatment. Also seek care if you have fever, severe pain, swelling spreading to the face or neck, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

    On Call Medical Assistance can see you at your hotel, villa or residence in Punta Cana and Bávaro, so an ear problem doesn’t interrupt your vacation. Contact us.

    This article is for educational purposes and does not replace evaluation by a healthcare professional. Reference: UpToDate, Patient education: Outer ear infection (The Basics), 2026.

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