Should a suspected ruptured ear drum be cleaned? Please help. Remote location.

Hi everyone,

I am pretty sure I have ruptured my ear drum 2 days ago. I had water trapped in my ear from swimming and got a small infection. I was using a hot cloth to try and reduce some pain and I felt a sharp sudden pain and then blood coming from my ear, followed by extreme vertigo and nausea. I currently have no hearing in the ear and tinnitus. It feels very blocked still. I live in a very remote part of Africa and unfortunately can’t see a proper specialist for a least 2 weeks to diagnose exactly what happened.

The local doctor here wants to wash out the ear canal with saline because it is full blood and wax if he is to see properly with an otoscope. Everything I am reading says to keep it dry, especially if it is ruptured but he says he doesn’t know if it is ruptured because he can’t see.

What is the standard practice in such a situation, where a rupture is suspected but can’t be diagnosed due to lack of vision in the ear canal? Should the ear canal be cleaned to see what diagnose the issue? Should I leave the ear canal alone and see a specialist in 2 weeks?

I am currently on penicillin and painkillers, which both seem to be working.

I am a little concerned being so far from specialist medical help.

Thank you for your help.

0 likes, 0 replies