EAR IRRIGATION DURING COVID-19

In view of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, all Ear Irrigation appointments are cancelled until further notice. 

To help patients with excessive ear wax in the absence of Nurse treatment please see the following advise

Advice for Ear Wax during COVID-19

Week 1

It is recommended that patients apply olive oil three times a day, for a week.  Use olive oil at room temperature and apply using a dropper to instil four to six drops of oil to affected ear(s).

Please refrain from using cotton wool as this will only soak up the olive oil applied to the ear. Instead you may consider using Earol (available over the counter) which delivers a sprayed metered dose of olive oil.

Or alternatively, treat one ear a time by applying olive oil, gently massage the skin at the front of the entrance to your ear canal to help the oil work its way in. Remain on your side for 5 to 10 minutes and then treat the other ear.

Week 2

It is then recommended that patients apply bicarbonate of soda ear drops (available over the counter) twice a day, for a week.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The aim is that the bicarbonate of soda ear drops will then break down the wax which has been softened by the olive oil in week 1.

Stop the bicarbonate of soda ear drops after one week. If problem persists, continue to use olive oil until such a time that it has been advised that ear irrigation can restart or until the problem has resolved.

The team at The Vernon and lanes medical Centre