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Otitis Externa and neck/face pain and numbness (scared!)

Posted , 4 users are following.

albo
albo

Hi!

Does anybody know if Otitis Externa can be the cause of neck and face numbness / tightening? In other words, can it affect the nerves in the face? I'm quite scared.

I was diagnosed 2 days ago with Otitis Externa and I was prescribed Amoxicilin antibiotics (500mg every 8 hours for 7 days). I was also told to take 1gram of paracetamol every 8 hours.

Aside from some ear discomfort and various aches around my head, I hadn't been feeling too bad. But a few hours ago, I started to experience pain/tightening at the back of my neck, and then a similar numbness sensation predominantly on the left side of my face in different places. It seemed to come on quite quickly, and includes a tightening feeling on the side of my face, a little on the top of my head, and now I seem to have a constant tight feeling on the medium left part of my neck. I still have a slight discomfort in my ears, but I really don't know if this is all related... I hope it is but I'm wondering if anyone has ever experienced anything similar as a result of Otitis Externa?

I doubt it is a reaction to the antibiotic because I have used it various times in the past without problems. If anyone could suggest anything, please let me know.

Thanks.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • chris1955
    chris1955 albo

    Posted

    I have had Otitis externa for over a year.  I'm only now starting to deal with it.  It certainly does cause a numbness around the ear and over part of the face, and I think this is related to the swelling of the ear canal.  I'm hoping to get onto antibiotics soon.
    • ellie2507
      ellie2507 chris1955

      Posted

      I have had exactly what albo describes for the last 8 weeks! Did you get any antibiotics? If so did they sort your problems?

      Thanks

    • chris1955
      chris1955 ellie2507

      Posted

      Partly.  It hasn't been as bad, but it hasn't gone away. One thing has helped though.  He suggested that I might be allergic to my shampoo, and I've changed it - with some reduction of the problem.  I'm going to buy a hypoallergenic shampoo, and try that.

      I also find that my ears itch most after using headphones, and I'm looking to reduce my use of anything covering my ears.

  • ellie2507
    ellie2507 albo

    Posted

    Hello

    I have had exactly what you describe for the last 8 weeks & the Dr won't give me antibiotics because he says it's viral! Did the antibiotics sort yours out?

  • kerry71630
    kerry71630 albo

    Posted

    Hi, I had a mild earache 5 days ago which started to get worse, i went to the doctor after my ear went deaf, he said i had a sin infection outside the eardrum calling it Otitis Externa, i am on Antibiotics and a antibiotic medical spray for in the ear, im on day 5 now but the pain is getting worse down my neck, jaw, teeth and the top of my head and eye, i have been using a hot waterbottle to help ease the ache, but on the inside of my ear is very dry and exremely sore, does anyone know if putting some vasoline in very small amount to ease it, would that make things worse, i am hoping to go private to a ENT and see if they can help, how much worse does this get befoe any improvement. Thanks Kerry
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