Ear injuries may involve the ear drum or the outer ear.
Home care for injuries to the outer ear includes:
- Perform wound care as directed by your doctor.
- Clean the skin gently:
- Use mild soap and water.
- Do not scrub the skin.
- Dry the skin.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Apply cold compresses:
- Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 1-2 hours, for the first few days.
- Important to control swelling
- Clean the skin thoroughly:
- Clean twice a day.
- Use mild soap and water.
- Do not scrub the skin.
- Dry the skin.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Acetaminophen for pain
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain
Home care for a ruptured eardrum includes:
- Apply petroleum jelly to a cotton ball and place the cotton ball over the opening to the ear canal.
- Keep the ear canal dry:
- Do not swim.
- Do not use eardrops.
- Place a cotton ball in the ear when bathing.
