Ears are the organs through which sound is heard. As a rule nothing should be pricked and probed into the ear when there is pain, swelling, redness, discharge of pus/blood, hard of hearing, ear-wax accumulation or any other infective symptom. Ear is directly Connected with brain.
Ear-ache may surface independently or due also to sympathetic pain, consequent upon ache in the teeth, cheek, hones, head or due to some injury. Generally following diseases can surface in relation to the ear Viz,
1. Vertigo / Menier’s disease
2. Hard of hearing
3. Pain in the car
4. Swelling in the internal external ear
5. Discharge of pus / urine
6. Redness.
7. Accumulation of wax in the ear
8. Fungal disease.
9. Miscellaneous ear infections
There are a number of preparation which are used in variousinfections of the ear and one preparation serves to cure multiple aural disorders. Hence, it is a bit difficult to ear-mark or suggest a specific drug for a single causative factor. Generally drops of Topical Preparations are used for aural problems and antibiotics are prescribed to control various types of ear infections.
Here under, a reasonably detailed, but relevant description, is given for various disorders of ears which may be used for multiple or specific purposes.
1. Chloramphenical
Used for internal or external infections of the ear, Pre Post operative anteral / mastoid surgery. Brands available are.
(i) Chloromiycetin Ear Drops
(ii) Enteromycetine.
(iii) Kemacetin otological (1%)
(iv) Kemacatin otological (5%)
(v) Paraxin Ear Drops.
Instill 2-4 drops in each ear, 3-4 times daily
2. Gentamycin.
Multiple ear infections, chronic inflammation of internal / external ear.
Caution: If there is sensitivity / reaction do not use. Also do not use if conditions of Viral, fungal, purulent or tubercular origin exist or when ear-drum is perforated
Brands available
(i) Bactigen Ear/Eye. Drops
(ii) Garamycin Ear/Eye Drops
(iii) Gentasporin Ear/Eye Drops
(iv) Genticyn Eye/Ear Drops
(v) Gerfree Ear/Eye Drops.
(vi) Lyramycin Ear/Eye Drops
Note:- Temporary irritation may surface in some more sensitive patients. Instill 2-3 drops into each ear.
3. Clotrimazole
Used for fungal infections of external ear, or when there is infection of the ear, causing inflammation and irritation of the canal joining the ear-drum to the external ear (external auditory meatus). It is called “otomycosis”
Brands available
(i) Clotrin Ear Drops
(ii) Surfaz Ear Drops
(iii) Candid Ear Drops
(iv) Mycoban Ear Drops
Instill 2-3 drops 3 times daily for 2 weeks or till all the symptoms disappear
Caution: Discontinue if hepcrsensitivity develops or when there is perforated tympanic membrane
4. Anti fungal, antibiotics with corticosteroids
These are used when there is severe oral inflammation or there is evidence of weeping lesions/supei added secondary bacterial infections. Sometimes, anaesthetics are used/added to such p..eparations to provide relief in acute pain. Use these drugs when there are allergic and inflammatory conditions, pain in the ear, wax accumulation, bacterial infections of the middle/external ear.
Instil 2-3 drops 3-4 limes daily for 2 weeks or till all the symptoms disappear.
Precautions: If irritation continues, discontinue use. Avoid using for a prolonged period in case of infants and pregnancy, when ear-drum is perforated. Prolonged and indiscriminate use may lead to even glaucoma, cataract and fungal infections.
Brands available
Candibiotic, Betnor Ear Drops, Beclate-B, Beta biotic-L, Dexona Eye/Ear, Genticyn-B, (E/E drops), otek-AC, Otina, otogesic, Perfocyn, Sofracort, Garasone E/E drops, Neosporin-Hear, Tytin.
Drugs used to soften and disperse Ear-Wax
These drugs are used to soften the impacted (blocked) ear-wax, facilitate its removal from the affected ear. Most of such preparations Contain local anesthetics, analgesics which help to promptly relieve ear-ache also. Mode of such preparations is to emulsify (soften, liquefy) and dispose of the impacted/excessive ear-wax (Cerumen), while exerting antifungal, anti-bacterial and insecticidal actions / effects. Hence to obtain relief in ear discomfort, and dissolve ear-wax, (to relieve) pain, anyone ofthe under noted drugs may be used:
(i) Cerurninex
(ii) Desol
(iii) Otoclean
(iv) Soliwax
(v) Waxolve
Insert 5-10 drops and then insert a cotton plug into the ear-hole (meatus) and let the solution remain therein for 15-30 minutes. Do not touch tip of the nozzle so as to rule out possibility of Contamination
Caution:- Do not use when there is eczema affecting the ear, inflammation of the external ear, excessive secretion of sebum, dermatitis etc. If irritation persists, discontinue its use.
Note:- Any preparations of the ears must be used before the expiry date ends, as it is dangerous to use any preparation beyond the expiry date
It is repeated that no match-stick, pencil, pen, hair pain, straw, finger or any other foreign object should be inserted into the ear. Use only earbuds for the purpose. Still better, approach an E.N.T. specialist for any aural complaint and abide by his guidance and instructions.