Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TheTeacher..]

So I went to the sauna on Sunday and tried to clean my ears with one of them cotton buds, but now my left ear is totally blocked up.

Never experienced this before, can you get drops at the pharmacy or do I need a trip to the doctor?

Don't have time till after work today, so just wondering if anyone on here has had this problem before and knows the best solution..

Cheers

[El Macho]

You can try just pouring a bit of hydrogen peroxide into your ear. If it's wax causing the blockage, the H2O2 will help to break it up.

[joeteacher]

I'd go to an ear, nose and throat doctor. If it's just blockage, you'll be in and out in like 10 minutes. They'll suck it out, no problem. I find that Koreans go to the doctor for just about everything so don't feel guilty like you're wasting the docs time by going. You'll also find out if there is any damage.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Richard Krainium]

[davehere22]

happened me this time last year. Went to an ENT doctor...she stuck lots of stainless steel sharp things in my ear and dragged out lumps of hard wax

maybe its the weather

[ChilgokBlackHole]

And when you're done, take this cliche to heart:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=coffeebrk&part=cb31_wax

[greatunknown]

My Granny Greene used to say "You should never put anything smaller then your elbow in your ear!"

Then I popped my shoulder out of socket... IMO should have stuck with q-tips

[Jane]

I had an ear infection a month ago from flying with the flu. I endured for 10 days--hoping the fluid would clear on its own--but ended up seeing an ENT doctor when I couldn't stand not hearing properly.

Sounds like you have fluid stuck behind your eardrum (a typical infection). The doctor will probably investigate then give you a perscription for antibiotics. If it doesn't clear, another type of antibiotics might be perscribed until they find the right one to treat the type of infection you have.

Pretty simple to get treatment--and inexpensive.

Edit: I thought you had fluid in your ear, but after a re-read, you probably pushed wax deeper into your ear or something. An ENT doctor will fix you up quick.

[creeper1]

I am a swimmer and I have also had ear ache and ear infections. I think in the sauna/pool there is a tendency for your ear to become wet and therefore easily infected.

GO to the ENT specialist and get the suction and or antibiotics. Then have someone form home send you over "swimear" or another ear drying aid to prevent a reoccurence. ( I can't find the equivalent here)

It's important to keep your inner ear as dry as possible to keep the risks of ear infection to a minimum.

[Milwaukiedave]

I agree, go to an ENT clinic and they can clean your ears out.

I have a big problem with ear wax, so I have one of those plastic bulb syringes and the drops. Every time I go home I usually bring a new bottle of the drops back with me. I asked my pharmacist if they carry that stuff in Korea and she said no. My take on this is they are telling you that you can't get it over the counter, only by prescription.

[Julius]

[flakfizer]

[TheTeacher..]

Cheers folks most of you were 100% spot on..

Went to ENT doc and he said I'd pushed some wax further in with the cotton bud as predicted. Pulled it out in a instant, then after a little suction I was free to leave. 10 minutes, 6,000 won, lovely.

Cheers again, not all the information on this site is as unreliable as people will havew you believe..

[asylum seeker]