Do's and Don'ts
Ear Pain
Do's
- Take pain relieving medication (paracetamol) for immediate relief.
- If pain persist consult your ENT doctor
Don'ts
- Don’t scratch inside of your ears with ear buds, pen, pencils or any kind of instruments to get sense of false relief.
- Do not put oil mixed with garlic or turmeric to relive pain it can cause other problems.
- Do not use any ear drop without your doctor’s prescription
- Do not forcefully blow your nose if you have associated cold.
Ear Wax
Do's
- Use wax softening ear drops available over the counter (OTC) at pharmacy.
- You can use olive oil after boiling and then cooling it to room temperature, put only 2 to 3 drops. (However, if you have perforation of ear drum do not put oil or drops into ears without doctor’s advice).
- If wax is impacted in deep ear get it removed by an ENT specialist.
Don'ts
- Don’t scratch inside of your ears with ear buds, pen, pencils or any kind of instruments to get sense of false relief.
- Do not put oil mixed with garlic or turmeric to relive pain it can cause other problems.
- Do not use any ear drop without your doctor’s prescription
- Do not forcefully blow your nose if you have associated cold.
Insect in Ear
Do's
- Put few drops of Olive oil (after boiling and cooling it to room temperature) to drown the insect.
- Visit your ENT specialist as early as possible for removal of insect.
Don'ts
- Do not panic.
- Do not try to remove insect by any instruments at home, you may damage your ear skin or ear drum
- Do not let quacks remove the insect at your home.
Foreign Body in Ear (seed, ground nut, bead, pearl etc)
Do's
- Visit your ENT specialist to get the foreign body removed from ears safely.
Don'ts
- Do not pour water to remove foreign body. It can absorb water, swell and can cause more blockage and pain.
- Do not try to remove at home, it can go more deep inside and cause trauma to the ear drum or skin.
Hearing Loss
Do's
- If you experience sudden hearing loss visit your ENT specialist as early as possible. Delay in seeking advice and medication may lead to permanent hearing loss.
Don'ts
- Do not ignore hearing loss if it is sudden, or associated with other complaints like giddiness, discharge from ears, pain in ears etc
- Don’t try to scratch your ear, in an attempt to remove the blockage which you feel is causing hearing loss.
Common Cold
Do's
- Take steam inhalation and drink plenty of warm fluids.
- If symptoms persist consult your ENT specialist.
Don'ts
- Don’t forcefully blow your nose this can cause spread of infection into your ears and sinuses.
- Avoid exposure to dust and fumes.
- Avoid exposure to cold air.
- Avoid drinking cold water or juices and ice creams.
- Avoid smoking if you are a smoker.
Nose Bleeding
Do's
- Pinch your nose firmly with finger and thumb, bend forward over a basin or bowl, breath slowly and deeply from mouth.
- Apply ice or cotton cloth soaked in ice cold water over your nose.
- Take your regular Blood pressure medicine if you have forgot to take the dose.
- Consult your ENT specialist if bleeding persist or recur.
Don'ts
- Do not panic, it will cause more bleeding.
- Do not blow your nose forcefully.
- Do not apply heat in any form.
- Do not drink or eat hot liquid or food.
Foreign body in nose
Do's
- Gently blow your nose if possible, to remove foreign body.
- Consult your ENT specialist as soon as possible to get the foreign body removed.
Don'ts
- Do not panic.
- Do not try to remove foreign body at home using forceps or any instrument, it can push it more inside and make it more difficult to remove.
- Do not give anything to drink or eat until the foreign body is removed.
Sore Throat
Do's
- Take steam inhalation and plenty of oral warm fluids.
- Do warm salt water gargles.
- Take pain relieving tablet like Paracetamol.
- Voice rest is advisable ( speak as much less as possible)
- If symptoms persist consult your ENT specialist.
Don'ts
- Do not talk loudly or shout it can further worsen your voice.
- Do not drink cold fluids or eat cold food.
- Do not exert yourself.
- Do not smoke if you are smoker.