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Ear drops are useful for softening earwax, as well as for fighting infections in your ears. But how to use it is not just a drop. For the medicine to work effectively to speed up your recovery, it is important to make sure that the medicinal fluid actually gets into the ear canal. Here's how to use the correct ear drops.
Step by step how to use ear drops
1. Preparation
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Warm the ear drops by holding them for 1 to 2 minutes, because cold water can trigger a headache to spin on the head when dropped into the ear.
- Open the cap of the medicine bottle and place the medicine bottle in a clean and dry place, avoiding touching the mouthpiece of the bottle or letting it touch any object
- If the medicine bottle uses a dropper, make sure that the pipette is clean and not cracked or broken
2. Drop ear drops
- For adults, tilt your head so that your ears are facing upwards and pull the earlobe up and back
- For children, tilt the child's head or in a sleeping position facing the side so that the ear is facing upwards, then pull the earlobe down and back.
- Take the medicine bottle and start dropping the drug by gently massaging the bottle or dropper, dropping it according to the dose of medicine given by the doctor
- After this drop, gently pull the earlobe up and down to help the medicinal fluid flow into the ear canal
- Keep your head tilted or stay in the sleeping position for 2 to 5 minutes while pressing the protruding front of your ear to push the medicine in
3. How to store medicine bottles
- Close the bottle tightly and avoid the tip of the medicine bottle not touching anything to keep the contents of the drug sterile
- Clean the excess medicine that has pooled around the rim of the bottle using a tissue or cotton swab
- Wash your hands thoroughly afterward
When you first put the ear drops in, it is not uncommon for the ear canal to feel painful and hot. However, if after giving medication your ear becomes itchy, swollen and painful, consult a doctor immediately.
