Ellen Campbell -Grizzle - PHARMACY TODAY IT'S SUMMER time. Many young Jamaicans are going to the pool for fun and relaxation. Swimming is excellent exercise. However, at this time of year, pharmacists note increased complaints about earaches that may be related to this sport. This condition is commonly called Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) and presents as a pain in the ear that worsens when you pull on your earlobe. Your ear canal may also be itchy. The problem appears two or three days after swimming and many people do not relate the earache to that activity. Swimmer's ear may also be caused by unsanitary attempts to clean the ears.
There are non-prescription drops sold for mild and recent bouts of the condition. If there is no improvement after three days, the ear canal is swollen or there is a discharge from the ear, a doctor must be consulted.
In treating swimmer's ear, both aural hygiene and the proper instillation of ear drops are important. It is always best to have a second person instil your ear drops using the following procedure:
Wash hands and wipe off the outer ear.
Slightly warm the ear drop by holding the bottle in both hands for a few minutes.
Shake the medication and check that the dropper is not cracked or chipped.
Bend your head to one side or lie on the side with the affected ear uppermost.
Pull the earlobe upward and backward in adults or downward and backward in children to straighten out the canal.
Instil the prescribed number of drops (up to 10 drops) into the canal.
Press the cartilage of the ear lobe gently. This action milks the drops down the canal and expels ear bubbles.
Remain in the same position for at least five minutes to give the medication sufficient time to take effect.
The saying, "Never put anything into your ears that is smaller than your elbow" is good advice. Cotton tipped applicators, hairpins, matchsticks or fingernails should not enter the ear canal as they may cause damage. This can make the ear passage more susceptible to infection. If you are being treated for an ear infection, prevent water from entering the ear because retained water is a major factor that causes prolonged illness. Some people believe that ear plugs will prevent water from seeping into the ear canal. This is not true as the plugs are not water -tight seals and may also damage the skin of the canal. Other sealing agents have proven inadequate and often introduce debris into the canal. Avoid swimming for at least 2 weeks after the inflammation subsides.
In some cases, your doctor may decide to syringe your ear before introducing medication. This procedure removes debris from the canal and enhances the contact between the ear drop and the skin surface inside the ear. This contact is important for the treatment to be effective because the drop must touch the affected area and adhere for an adequate period of time.
Your pharmacist will give you specific instructions for using ear-drops. It is important that you comply with these directions in order to assist the healing process. If you do not, you may complicate matters. Swimmer's ear can be effectively treated within two to three days. If the condition does not subside, you must see your doctor. Your pharmacist is well placed to tell you about the non- prescription medicines available to treat this problem. Remember, ask your pharmacist, you have the right to know!
Ellen Campbell Grizzle is the President of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) and Director, Information & Research, National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), Kingston, Jamaica.
