Title: The Old Court House Surgery
Author: emis2000
Last saved by: Katy Morson
Company: NHS

How to use ear drops prior to ear irrigation

   

A Patient Information Leaflet

Buy a `dropper' bottle of olive oil from
your Chemist

INSTILLATION OF EAR DROPS
Preparation for wax removal - or to encourage normal expulsion of wax
from the outer ear.

WHEN USING OLIVE OIL

        Most patients find that applying drops 2 times daily for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to 
        a consultation for wax removal is helpful. 
        Your nurse or doctor may suggest using olive oil once every week as a preventative 
         treatment
1.	Lie down on your side with the affected ear uppermost
2.	Pull the pinna (outer ear) backwards and upwards (see diagram below). Fill the ear canal 
     with oil, at room temperature, and massage the tragus just in front of the ear

3.	Remain lying down for 5 minutes and then wipe away any excess oil. DO NOT leave 
      cotton wool at the entrance to the ear
4.	Repeat the procedure with the opposite ear if necessary 

WHEN USING ANTIBIOTIC / ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EAR DROPS

1.	Hold the head to one side with the affected ear uppermost
2.	Pull the pinna (outer ear) backwards and upwards (see diagram below). Drop 2 or 3 drops
     of oil, at room temperature, into the ear canal and massage the tragus just in front of the ear
3.	Return the head to the upright position and wipe away any excess drops

DO NOT leave cotton wool at the entrance to the ear 

FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A MASTOID OPERATION
A. When using Olive Oil
•	The olive oil drops have to reach 2 areas of the ear: straight down the ear canal,
      as previously described, and also backwards
•	FIRSTLY, put the drops in as previously described
•	THEN, in order to reach the wax which may accumulate in the "back space" 
(see diagram below)

•	Lie on your back and drop 2-3 drops of oil upwards and backwards into the 
      ear canal
•	Stay in this position for 5 minutes and then wipe away excess oil - as previously 
      explained 

     B. When using Antibiotic/Anti-Inflammatory Ear Drops

•	Remember to not only put the prescribed drops into the ear canal, but also into 
      this "back space"