There Are Some Risks to Irrigation. These Include

RISKS OF IRRIGATION LIME TREE SURGERY There are some risks to irrigation. These include:  Dizziness EAR IRRIGATION LEAFLET  Tinnitus  Inflammation/Infection  Damage to the ear or eardrum such as a perforation. The Practice Nurses are happy to assess you if you feel you need irrigation. Therefore, you should see a doctor or nurse after ear irrigation if you develop However, if you are experiencing pain, discharge from your ear or you have a any ear pain, troublesome itch in the ear, discharge from the ear, or swelling history of a perforated eardrum, you should make an appointment to see a GP of the tissues around the ear canal (which may indicate infection). before you book an appointment with the nurse for irrigation.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS FOR IRRIGATION WHAT IS EAR WAX? Ear irrigation may not be advised if you have certain ear problems. It is Earwax (cerumen) forms a protective coating of the skin in the ear canal. important that you inform the nurse before you have irrigation if you have any Small amounts are made all the time. Flakes or crusts of earwax break off and of the following: fall out of the ear from time to time.  Have had complications following this procedure in the past. The quantity of earwax made varies greatly from person to person. Some  Have had ear surgery in the past (apart from grommets that have come people form plugs of earwax in their ear canal. This may cause a feeling of out at least 18 months previously and you have been discharged from fullness and dulled hearing. A hard plug of earwax can also sometimes cause the hospital ear department). tinnitus ('ringing in the ear') or even mild vertigo (a type of dizziness).  Have a cleft palate (even if it has been repaired). A doctor or nurse can look into the ear canal and confirm a plug of earwax  Have an ear infection or have had an ear infection in the previous six has formed. A plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You weeks. only need to remove earwax if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing.  Have recurring infections of the ear canal (recurring otitis externa). Earwax may also need to be removed for fitting of a hearing aid, or if a doctor  Have, or have had, a perforated ear drum. or nurse needs to examine your middle ear. It is important to you never try to clean the ear canal with cotton wool buds, etc. This can make things worse as you will push some earwax deeper inside. It may also cause an ear infection. So, let the ear 'clean itself'. It is important to remember that is it normal for the hearing to diminish slightly as the wax expands.

It is advised that you do not apply cotton wool. However, if you have to use cotton wool you need to coat it in vaseline to stop it absorbing the olive oil. Your earwax will soften, and it often breaks up if you put drops in 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks. Flakes or crusts of earwax will often fall out bit by bit.

PROCEDURE FOR IRRIGATION This may be needed if the olive oil has not removed the wax naturally. Irrigating the ear with water will usually clear plugs of earwax. But, it will only works if the plug of earwax has been softened. Ear irrigation is usually painless. Lukewarm water is squirted into the ear canal. This is usually done HOW TO APPLY OLIVE OIL CORRECTLY by a machine that squirts water at the right pressure. This dislodges the The maximum benefit of ear drops can only be gained if they are correctly softened plug which then falls out with the water. applied. Often applying olive oil will clear earwax. Ear drops are best applied by another person. If ear irrigation does not work, or is not advised, your Doctor or Nurse may advise you to continue applying olive oil or you may be referred for micro-  The patient should lie down with the affected ear uppermost. suctioning.  The ear should be gently pulled backwards and upwards.  Warm the olive oil by placing the bottle in warm water for a few minutes.  Fill the pipette with oil and check that there is no air in the tip end.  Apply olive oil into the ear and massage the ear to allow the drops to circulate.  Stay lying down for 10 minutes and then wipe away any excess oil.  Repeat procedure with the opposite ear if necessary