How to use ear drops correctly
Your doctor has found that you have a condition that requires you to use ear drops. Ear drops are a medicine that is placed in the ear. This sheet gives you information about how to use this medicine. Your doctor may also give you more specific instructions.
Supplies needed:
- Cotton ball.
- Medicine.
How to put ear drops into your ear
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Make sure your ears are clean and dry.
- Warm the medicine by holding it in your hand for a few minutes.
- Shake the medicine to mix the ear drops.
- Use the tube to get the medicine. You will need to squeeze the round part of the tube to do this.
- Put the drops in your ear as told. Hold the tube above your ear. Do notlet the tube touch your ear. The medicine may go in easier if you pull the flap of your ear up and back while you put the drops in.
- To
make sure your ear soaks up the medicine, do one of these things:
- Lie down for 10 minutes. The ear with the medicine should face up.
- Put a cotton ball in your ear. Do notpush it deeper into your ear. Take out the cotton ball when the drops have been soaked up.
If you need to put drops in your other ear, repeat the same steps. Your doctor will tell you if you should put drops in both ears.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Use the ear drops for as long as your doctor tells you to. Do notstop even if your symptoms get better.
- Keep the ear drops at room temperature.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
Contact a doctor if:
- Your condition gets worse.
- Your pain gets worse.
- Unusual fluid (drainage) is coming from your ear, especially if the fluid stinks.
- You have trouble hearing.
Get help right away if:
- You feel like the room is spinning and you feel sick to your stomach. This condition is called vertigo.
- The outside of your ear becomes red or swollen.
- You have a very bad headache.
Summary
- Ear drops are a medicine that is put in the ear.
- Put the drops in your ear as told by your doctor.
- Use the ear drops for as long as your doctor tells you to. Do notstop even if your symptoms get better.
