Hydrogen peroxide is often used in the treatment of inflammation in the ears, as well as to get rid of sulfur plugs. This affordable remedy is available in any home medicine cabinet. It has antiseptic and hemostatic properties. However, a concentrated solution of this drug is a rather aggressive substance. So can hydrogen peroxide be poured into the ear? Does this tool burn the delicate mucous membrane of the ear canal? We will consider this question further.
The healing properties of the drug
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent and antiseptic. This liquid effectively fights pathogenic microflora. In addition, the drug stimulates blood circulation and lymph outflow, thereby contributing to the healing and restoration of damaged mucous membranes. The medicine also has small immunomodulatory properties.
If you pour hydrogen peroxide into your ears, then this liquid will dissolve sulfur plugs and other impurities in the ear canal. Unlike many other local antiseptics, the solution does not cause burning when it gets on the wound surface. When used, the drug forms a foam, which helps to remove foreign particles from the wound and ear canal.
Indications for use
It is possible to drip hydrogen peroxide in the ears with the following diseases:
- Inflammation of the ear canal. Most often, this ailment has a bacterial or fungal origin. In the ear canal, pain occurs, mucous or purulent discharge appears. The solution effectively destroys bacteria and fungi. In such cases, hydrogen peroxide is usually used as part of complex therapy and complements other medications.
- Inflammation (otitis media) in the outer and middle parts of the ear. Pathology is caused by viruses or bacteria. The focus of infection in this case is usually located in the nasal cavity. From there, microorganisms enter the middle ear. The disease is accompanied by shooting pain and discharge from the organ of hearing. Timely treatment with hydrogen peroxide will not allow the infection to go to the eardrum.
- Sulfur corks. With rare or insufficient ear cleaning, earwax accumulates in the ear canal. Over time, this substance becomes solid. Traffic jams form that clog the passage. A person worsens hearing and there is a sensation of tinnitus. Hydrogen peroxide softens corks from sulfur, and it becomes much easier to remove them with water or cotton swabs.
In the treatment of these diseases, it is very important to observe the dosage and concentration of the solution.
Contraindications
Is it possible to drip hydrogen peroxide in the ear with the internal form of otitis media? This drug is permissible to use only if the inflammation is localized in the external or middle part of the hearing organ. With internal otitis media (labyrinthitis), when the pathological process affects the cochlea, the use of the solution is useless. The drug will not help, since inflammation develops behind the eardrum. Fluid cannot penetrate such deep parts of the ear.
Often, patients are interested in: "Can hydrogen peroxide be dripped into the ear if hearing is impaired?" First of all, it is necessary to establish the cause of the hearing loss. Hearing impairment may be associated with rupture of the eardrum, and then the use of peroxide is strictly prohibited. The solution may enter through the hole in the eardrum into the inner ear. This is fraught with complete hearing loss. Hydrogen peroxide can be dripped into the ear only with an entire eardrum.
Care must also be taken when treating children. A child under 1 year old is better not to instill the solution in the ear. In the treatment of infants, the drug should be applied to cotton swabs and gently insert turunds into the ear canal. If the baby is older than 1 year, then a pipette can be used to instill hydrogen peroxide in the ear. Pouring the solution with a syringe is not recommended.
What form of the drug should be used
In pharmacy chains, you can find hydrogen peroxide in tablets and solution. To treat the ears, you need to choose the finished liquid form of the drug. Tablets are intended for the preparation of a concentrated solution, which is used to lighten hair.
If you want to pour hydrogen peroxide into the ear, it is recommended to choose a drug with a concentration of not more than 3%. A stronger solution can cause a chemical burn and overdrying of the mucous membrane.
How to get rid of sulfur plugs
Hydrogen peroxide usually helps with small plugs of light color. If there is a strong blockage of the passage with earwax of a dark color, then it is better to consult a doctor. Removing such a cork at home is very difficult.
When cleaning ears from sulfur, the following procedure should be followed:
- The patient must be laid on his side, with his ear up.
- The solution must be warmed in your hands so that it is warm.
- Place hydrogen peroxide in the amount of 10-15 drops in the ear and lie down for 10 minutes.
- Roll over to the other side. Place a towel or napkin under your ear. The fluid should completely drain out.
- Remove softened cork with cotton buds.
After instillation of the solution in the ears, hissing and warmth may be felt. This is a normal occurrence. If an excessive amount of hydrogen peroxide is poured, foam may escape. For old traffic jams, the procedure must be repeated three or four times.
The use of peroxide for otitis media
The use of the drug for otitis media and inflammation of the ear canal is possible due to the disinfectant properties of the solution. The algorithm of actions during treatment is approximately the same as when cleaning the ears from traffic jams:
- The man lies to one side, up with a sore ear.
- The solution is warmed in the hands for about 2 minutes.
- 2-3 drops of solution are poured into a sore ear.
- The auricle is massaged, and after 10 minutes the head is tilted to the other side.
- It is necessary to wait for the peroxide to flow out completely.
This procedure is carried out for 5-6 days, 2-3 times a day.
How much solution can be used
Pour hydrogen peroxide into the ear with sulfur plugs is allowed no more than 5 days. If congestion in the ear persists during this period, then you should contact the otolaryngologist. The doctor will flush the ear canal with a special syringe Janet.
Treatment for inflammation of the ear canal and middle ear also lasts about 5-6 days. Long-term use of the solution is not recommended, as this can cause mucosal overdrying.
Can hydrogen peroxide harm your ears
Usually instillation of hydrogen peroxide is not harmful. The use of the solution will be safe if you follow simple rules:
- Do not clean your ears with the solution too often. Apply peroxide only when traffic jams form. Earwax is necessary to protect the ear canal from pathogens. By constantly washing this substance, you can lose your hearing protection from infections.
- Do not increase the permissible concentration of the solution. This will not speed up the healing process. Too strong a solution can cause a burn or excessive dryness of the mucous membrane.
- Some patients have an individual intolerance to hydrogen peroxide. In this case, the use of the drug is contraindicated. If, after applying the solution, the patient has allergic reactions, then it is urgent to stop treatment.
Before instilling hydrogen peroxide, it is necessary to consult an otolaryngologist. With internal otitis media and rupture of the eardrum, the use of the solution is strictly contraindicated. Therefore, before the treatment of otitis media, it is necessary to undergo an accurate diagnosis.