Introduction
Ear drops can be used to treat or prevent ear infections or to help remove earwax. Ear drops may be bought over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor. They’re typically used for short-term treatment.
No matter what kind of ear drops you use or why you use them, it’s important to administer them correctly. Using ear drops properly allows the medication to enter your ear canal and treat your ear problem. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to use ear drops properly and safely.
Along with your ear drops, you’ll need hand sanitizer or soap and water to clean your hands. You’ll also need some tissues or a towel to wipe away excess drops that drain out of your ear after applying the ear drops.
These instructions can help you put ear drops into your own ears. If you’re a parent or caregiver, follow the same steps to give drops to a child or another person. If you have trouble putting drops into your own ears, ask a family member or friend to follow these steps to help you.
Preparing
- Gather your supplies. These include the bottle of ear drops and a tissue or other cloth to wipe away any drips.
- Wash your hands with soap and water. If water is not available, use hand sanitizer instead.
Putting in the drops
- Position the head so that the ear faces upward. If you’re giving the drops to yourself, it may be easiest to sit or stand upright and tilt your head to the side. If you’re giving the drops to someone else, it may be easiest if the person tilts their head or lies down on their side.
Finishing up
You should also know how long you can use the ear drops safely after opening the bottle. For prescription ear drops, ask your pharmacist or doctor about the expiration date. For over-the-counter drops, check the expiration date on the label. If the drops have expired, throw them away. Don’t use expired ear drops.
To help your ear drops work well, follow these instructions and any directions from the label or your doctor or pharmacist. These steps should help you use your prescription or over-the-counter ear drops easily and safely. If you have any questions about using your ear drops, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have some water in your ears after swimming or have an ear full of wax, you may have reached for ear drops. They have many uses, including treating ear infections, such as swimmer’s ear, excessive ear wax (AKA cerumen) and ear pain. And you can get them over the counter (OTC) or by prescription.
But before you go dripping drops in your ear, there’s a few things you should know. We spoke with Heather Coffman, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, to share important information regarding different types of drops and tips for how best to use them.
Is it safe to use ear drops?
Whether for ear wax, ear pain, tinnitus or swimmer’s ear, ear drops are generally safe, but take note.
“Ear drops are safe as long as your eardrum is intact,” Dr. Coffman said. When there is a perforation in the eardrum, drops can get into the middle ear. In this case, drops with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can be painful. Some types of prescribed antibiotic drops, such as gentamicin, neomycin or Cortisporin, can damage the ear.
“It’s best if you ask your healthcare provider if the medicine is safe if you have a perforation,” Dr. Coffman said. “Additionally, if the drops are causing significant pain, seek medical care from your primary care provider or an ear, nose and throat specialist.”
Safe treatment options
For ear waxEar wax isn’t necessarily a bad thing, in fact it protects the ear canal. However, for some, it can be a nuisance and excess wax can lead to hearing loss, discomfort and rarely infections. To remove ear wax build-up, Dr. Coffman recommends the following methods:
- Hydrogen peroxide-based products like Debrox and Murine, which also contain glycerin.
- Mineral oil to help soften hard wax and help with itchy ears
- Wax irritation kits, but use these with caution, Dr. Coffman said.
- “They can cause eardrum perforations and may lead to infection if water gets trapped behind the wax,” she said. “I never recommend water irrigation for diabetic patients due to the risk for severe infection.”
- Removal by an ear, nose and throat specialist.
You’ve likely heard the saying, “Don’t stick anything in your ear smaller than your elbow,” and it’s for good reason. Dig around with things that don’t belong in there, and you’ll put yourself at risk. Dr. Coffman recommends steering clear of cotton swabs, paper clips, bobby pins and using ear candling to remove unwanted ear wax.
For ear painEar pain might be from an ear infection, an ear injury or poorly fit hearing aids. Typically, ear wax does not cause ear pain. However, frequently ear pain is referred pain from another location such as the throat or the jaw joint. Drops used to numb the ear canal are not recommended. “Drops for ear pain often contain benzocaine, and typically are not effective and have not been FDA-approved,” Dr. Coffman said.
For ear infectionsTo prevent infection, you can use swimmer’s ear drops containing rubbing alcohol to help dry out the ear canal or a combination of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar (mixed half and half). Use caution, however, because these can be painful in a red and swollen ear.
To relieve ear infections and decrease ear pain, your provider may prescribe antibiotic ear drops.
Tips for using ear drops correctly
The following instructions can help you put ear drops in your ears. If you’re having trouble putting them into your own ears, ask someone to help you.
- Warm the ear drop bottle in your hands. Any ear drops that are cold (or too warm) can cause dizziness when placed in the ear canal.
- Lie down with your affected ear facing up.
- Gently pull your ear back to help straighten the ear canal.
- Hold the dropper over the ear and squeeze out recommended drops (typically 4 to 5 drops of antibiotics per dose).
- Massage the tragus (the piece of skin that sticks out just in front of the ear canal like an open trapdoor). This will close and open the ear canal and force the drops down the ear canal.
- Continue to lie on your side for a couple minutes to allow the drops to reach the eardrum at the base of the ear canal.
- Sit up and let any excess drops drain out.
- Repeat in the other ear, if needed.
When should I contact my healthcare provider?
If your ear is hurting, ear drops are causing you significant pain, you have trouble hearing or are experiencing other symptoms, such as dizziness or ringing, contact your healthcare provider or an ear, nose and throat specialist. To find a Banner Health specialist, visit bannerhealth.com.
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Uses
This medication is used to treat earwax buildup. It helps to soften, loosen, and remove the earwax. Too much earwax can block the ear canal and reduce hearing. This medication releases oxygen and starts to foam when it comes in contact with the skin. The foaming helps break up and remove the earwax.Consult your doctor before using this product in children younger than 12 years.
This medication is for use only in the ear. Apply this medication into the ear, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Do not use this medication for more than 4 days at a time unless your doctor instructs you to. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
To make sure that the right amount of medication is given, and to avoid touching the ear with the dropper, have another person give the drops if possible. To lower the risk of dizziness, hold the container in your hand for a few minutes to warm it.
To apply ear drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your ear or any other surface. Lie on your side or tilt the affected ear upward. Hold the dropper directly over the ear and place 5 to 10 drops into the ear canal. To help the drops roll into the ear of an adult, hold the earlobe up and back. In children, hold the earlobe down and back. Keep the head tilted for several minutes or insert a soft cotton plug in the ear.
If there is any wax remaining after treatment, it may be removed by gently rinsing the ear with warm water or using an ear syringe with a soft rubber bulb. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about using an ear syringe safely.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after use.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this occurs, rinse the eyes thoroughly with water.
If your condition lasts after 4 days of use or if it gets worse, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
Side Effects
Side effects usually do not occur with this product.
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: other ear problems (such as ear drainage, infection, pain, rash, injury, recent ear surgery, hole/perforation in the eardrum), dizziness.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding before using this medication.
Interactions
If you are using this product under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Does Ear Wax Removal Drops interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checkerOverdose
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat. Refer to storage information printed on the package. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Keep all drug products away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.