Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Last Reply:
Includes Expert Content
Perforated ear drum possible infection
avatar
Ashles87 posted:
This is my third time to bust my ear drum. I recieved care after the first time, by an idiot family doctor. After the second time, which was just a few months after the first, it did not heal up all the way. 1 year later, while running or doing any extreme exercise, there was air would still come out of my ear. I saw an ENT and he said there was nothing he could do and he couldn't see anything and probably what was happening was there is a tiny hole that looks closed but flaps open while running. So that being said, I busted it AGAIN this weekend. I can't afford a doctor right now and they usually say it needs to heal on its own any ways so I have 2 questions.

1st is there anything over the counter I can put in my ear to fight infection (I know when it's busted your prone to getting one and my ear is throbbing a bit). 2nd If it doesn't heal all the way again, is there anything I can do? I read a little about an ear patch?

If no one has ever experienced it, it's extremely annoying to have air come out of your ear during physical stuff that gets your heart rate up! I'm not giving up health because my ear sucks.
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Perforated ear drum possible infectionThis is my third time to bust my ear drum. I recieved care after the first time, by an idiot family doctor. After the second time, which was just a few months after the first, it did not heal up all the way. 1 year later, while running or doing any extreme exercise, there was air would still come out of my ear. I saw an ENT and he said there was nothing he could do and he couldn't see anything and probably what was happening was there is a tiny hole that looks closed but flaps open while running. So that being said, I busted it AGAIN this weekend. I can't afford a doctor right now and they usually say it needs to heal on its own any ways so I have 2 questions. <br><br>1st is there anything over the counter I can put in my ear to fight infection (I know when it's busted your prone to getting one and my ear is throbbing a bit). 2nd If it doesn't heal all the way again, is there anything I can do? I read a little about an ear patch? <br><br>If no one has ever experienced it, it's extremely annoying to have air come out of your ear during physical stuff that gets your heart rate up! I'm not giving up health because my ear sucks.
Reply
 
avatar
Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
Do not put ANYTHING in your ear. If you do have a ruptured eardrum, any solution that you would put in your ear, including water, would likely get into your sensitive middle ear area where it doesn't belong.

So, how did you "bust your eardrum"?

The vast majority of ruptured eardrums, depending on their severity and location on the eardrum, will heal in time. It is not possible to determine how long this might take. Since neither one of us can look in your ear, we do not know how bad it is, or will not be able to know if or when it heals.

While I am sympathetic to your financial situation, the only way that you can determine the severity of your possible eardrum rupture, or monitor the progress of healing, is to see an non-idiot medical provider.
Report This| Share this:Perforated ear drum possible infectionDo not put ANYTHING in your ear. If you do have a ruptured eardrum, any solution that you would put in your ear, including water, would likely get into your sensitive middle ear area where it doesn't belong.<br /><br />So, how did you "bust your eardrum"?<br /> <br />The vast majority of ruptured eardrums, depending on their severity and location on the eardrum, will heal in time. It is not possible to determine how long this might take. Since neither one of us can look in your ear, we do not know how bad it is, or will not be able to know if or when it heals.<br /> <br />While I am sympathetic to your financial situation, the only way that you can determine the severity of your possible eardrum rupture, or monitor the progress of healing, is to see an non-idiot medical provider.
Reply
 
avatar
Ashles87 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
I busted the first and third time water tubing. I fell off the tube flew through the air and landed hard on my ear. The second was a big blow to the head. I just feel like if I spend the money, they are just gonna say oh well just have to wait and see how it heals. Is there anything I can do in the mean time? Also is it normal with a perforated ear drum to blow air out of my ear? Right now even blowing my nose sends air out of it.
Report This| Share this:Perforated ear drum possible infectionI busted the first and third time water tubing. I fell off the tube flew through the air and landed hard on my ear. The second was a big blow to the head. I just feel like if I spend the money, they are just gonna say oh well just have to wait and see how it heals. Is there anything I can do in the mean time? Also is it normal with a perforated ear drum to blow air out of my ear? Right now even blowing my nose sends air out of it.
Reply
 
avatar
Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to Ashles87's response:
Traumatic ruptures, like you have experienced, can be quite bad, so it could take weeks to heal. What you can do now, other than wait, is to keep everything (including water) out of the ear that is ruptured...especially untreated water where you were tubing.

Yes, it is normal for air to come out of your ear when you have a rupture. It is probably not a good idea to purposely do this, since it may slow down the healing process.

Again...neither one of us has the ability to see how bad it is, nor know when it is sufficiently healed so you can resume your normal activities. You are going to eventually need to pay for a hands-on examination to get those answers.
Report This| Share this:Perforated ear drum possible infectionTraumatic ruptures, like you have experienced, can be quite bad, so it could take weeks to heal. What you can do now, other than wait, is to keep everything (including water) out of the ear that is ruptured...especially untreated water where you were tubing.<br /> <br />Yes, it is normal for air to come out of your ear when you have a rupture. It is probably not a good idea to purposely do this, since it may slow down the healing process.<br /> <br />Again...neither one of us has the ability to see how bad it is, nor know when it is sufficiently healed so you can resume your normal activities. You are going to eventually need to pay for a hands-on examination to get those answers.
Reply


Back to Top
Back to Top

Featuring Experts

Profile
Rod Moser, PA, PhD Expert
Welcome to WebMD's Ear, Nose, and Throat Community — a site where members help each other. If you have an experience to share or would like ...More

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

Your Home Black BagExpert
Doctors used to carry black bags containing all the medical tools they would need for a home visit. Of course, that rarely happens anymore. ... More
Was this Helpful?
Yes No
31 of 53 found this helpful
Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Post a Resource | See All

Expert Blog

Focus on Flu

Find answers to your questions about seasonal flu issues and answers to your concerns about the flu season and H1N1...Read More

Related News

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.