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EAR PROBLEMS

I have had a mild ear ache on and off and recently when I had a cold with runniynose, the ear began to hurt...

Posted by An_187409

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1 of 2 found this Tip helpful

4 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:EAR PROBLEMS I have had a mild ear ache on and off and recently when I had a cold with runniynose, the ear began to hurt...

FAQ Tip #2: Tonsilliths and Cryptic Tonsils

People are often puzzled by white accumulations in their tonsils. Some feel they have Strep, yet...

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

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17 of 25 found this Tip helpful

10 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:FAQ Tip #2: Tonsilliths and Cryptic Tonsils People are often puzzled by white accumulations in their tonsils. Some feel they have Strep, yet...

Includes Expert Content

Hole in Ear (Drum?)

Dear Doctor, I was diagnosed with swimmers ear recently and was prescribed Cipro HC (3 drops/2x daily); the...

Posted by felixchez

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4 of 8 found this Tip helpful

1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:Hole in Ear (Drum?) Dear Doctor, I was diagnosed with swimmers ear recently and was prescribed Cipro HC (3 drops/2x daily); the...

FAQ Tip # 1: Itchy Ears

The outer ear and ear canal is lined or covered by SKIN. Since skin can cause a variety of...

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

The outer ear and ear canal is lined or covered by SKIN. Since skin can cause a variety of dermatological conditions, the causes of an itchy ear can be numberous, from bacterial or fungal infections to common skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (eczema) or even psoriasis.

Q-tips users can develop itchy ears because they strip the protective wax coating from the ear canal. The skin will break down and cause itching, or set the stage for a seconary bacterial or fungal infections.

The most common bacterial infection in the ear canal would be otitis externa, or "swimmer's ear" -- a problem that can occur in people who do not even swim. Water exposure from bathing or showering also can do it, too. When people get water in their ears, they may reach for those Q-tips to wick it out. This repeated and unnecessary practice often results in itching.

Fungus loves to grow in warm, dark places. The ear canal often is a perfect environment for overgrowth of fungus or yeast. Many times, the underlying cause of chronic ear itching may be fungal.

Allergies can also be involved. People with allergies can have itchy eyes, itchy nose, itchy throat, and itchy ears. Basically....all areas of the skin, including the inside of the ear may itch.

The key to effective treatment of an itchy ear is a proper diagnosis. A primary care medical provider is a good place to start, but an ENT or dermatologist should be consulted if a cause is not immediately apparent.

If you are a Q-tip user -- a wax cleaner or an ear-scratcher, then STOP DOING THIS! Sometimes, just allowing the protective wax coating (cerumen) to return is enough to stop the itching.

Itching may be controlled or at least improved by using antihistamines, such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin. While this is certainly not a cure, controlling the itching until you can be properly diagnosed may make your symptoms more tolerable.View Thread

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

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7 of 14 found this Tip helpful

0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:FAQ Tip # 1: Itchy Ears The outer ear and ear canal is lined or covered by SKIN. Since skin can cause a variety of...

Includes Expert Content

Nose Cauterized

I recently had my nose cauterized, some of the information you posted my doctor did not advise me of, like do...

Posted by tradarius

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1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:Nose Cauterized I recently had my nose cauterized, some of the information you posted my doctor did not advise me of, like do...

Includes Expert Content

have a bad sore throat my ears itch alot i have severe nasal congestion my eyes are watery and red i have...

Posted by shorty372011

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4 of 10 found this Tip helpful

1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:hi have a bad sore throat my ears itch alot i have severe nasal congestion my eyes are watery and red i have...

Includes Expert Content

Dry Nasal Passage/ Dry Moutrh

Hello... i have been feeling my nasal pasage has been extreamly dry. and long with that my mouth has been...

Posted by Yessir0912

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6 of 12 found this Tip helpful

1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:Dry Nasal Passage/ Dry Moutrh Hello... i have been feeling my nasal pasage has been extreamly dry. and long with that my mouth has been...

Restaurant Databases

Over the past 8 months, I have lost 60 lbs. by using a great little app for my smart phone called Calorie...

Posted by FreqTraveler

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9 of 17 found this Tip helpful

0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Restaurant Databases Over the past 8 months, I have lost 60 lbs. by using a great little app for my smart phone called Calorie...

Includes Expert Content

Afrin (Oxymethalizone) Addiction and Withdrawal

Hey out there! I've been addicted to Oxymethalizone for months. Finally deciding enough was enough I wanted...

Posted by An_187410

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12 of 22 found this Tip helpful

1 Reply | ReplyReport This| Share this:Afrin (Oxymethalizone) Addiction and Withdrawal Hey out there! I've been addicted to Oxymethalizone for months. Finally deciding enough was enough I wanted...

Your Home Black Bag

Doctors used to carry black bags containing all the medical tools they would need for a home visit....

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

Doctors used to carry black bags containing all the medical tools they would need for a home visit. Of course, that rarely happens anymore. My own black bag is gathering dust in my closet. However, every family should have their own Black Bag.

What you include in your family Black Bag (and it doesn't have to be black!) depends on what role you would like to play in your family's medical care. Personally, I think people can, and should, take a more active, participatory role in their health care.

Here are ten items to consider adding to your Black Bag

Thermometer. You can't find the old mercury thermometers any more, but there are excellent electronic ones on the market, from the inexpensive ones that go under your tongue or under your arm to the more pricey forehead scanners or ear thermometers.
Sphygomomanometer (Blood pressure cuff). Being able to take an accurate home blood pressure is important. You can easily learn to use one that requires the use of a stethoscope, or buy an electronic model that doesn't require one.
Stethoscope. Requires some practice, but listening to lung or heart sounds is important skill to foster.
Home Otoscope. This is my favorite home tool, used to examine the ears for infection or even a wax impaction. It can even be used to peer up a child's nose for foreign bodies, or use the light source to look in the mouth and throat.
Splinter Forceps. Every home should have a good, surgical pair of splinter forceps.
Scissors. Your home black bag should have two pair of scissors; one to cut bandages, and other sharper pair for other needs. You can do better than those utility scissors in your kitchen "junk drawer:
Measuring spoon or cup. Accurately measuring medications is essential. This is not the time to guess or use a common teaspoon.
Flashlight. If you have a good otoscope, this can be used, but a good, bright flashlight is essential for looking in the eyes or throat.
Tongue depressors. Learning to look in someone's throat who does say the classic "Ahhhhhh" may require the use of one of those wooden sticks used by your doctor to hold down the tongue. They only come in boxes of 500 or a 1000 so I advocate just stealing them from your doctor.
First Aid Book. Find a good one at your local bookstore or on-line store. Bookmark your favorite (WebMD) sites for quick reference.

You will then need to stock your Home Pharmacy that I will discuss on a future tip.

Rod MoserView Thread

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

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5 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Your Home Black Bag Doctors used to carry black bags containing all the medical tools they would need for a home visit....

Most People with a penicillin allergy can safely t...

Medical providers have always been taught that if you are allergic to penicillin, you have a greater...

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

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28 of 59 found this Tip helpful

3 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Most People with a penicillin allergy can safely take cephalosporins Medical providers have always been taught that if you are allergic to penicillin, you have a greater...

Zinc and Childhood Ear Infections

Many of my patients take zinc as a supplement in order to strengthen and improve the immune system,...

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

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19 of 31 found this Tip helpful

5 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Zinc and Childhood Ear Infections Many of my patients take zinc as a supplement in order to strengthen and improve the immune system,...

How To Upload a Profile Picture

How to Upload a Profile picture: 1. Click My Exchange Profile. (left sidebar) or My Account (top...

Posted by Annie_WebMD_Staff

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0 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:How To Upload a Profile Picture How to Upload a Profile picture: 1. Click My Exchange Profile. (left sidebar) or My Account (top...

Some Tips to how best to use your Heatlh Expert

Here are some tips that will help me help you..... 1. Tell me as much about you as you feel...

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

Here are some tips that will help me help you.....

1. Tell me as much about you as you feel comfortable. I do not need a full medical history -- but it would be nice to know the sex and the age of the person in question, and of course, some details that lead up to your question.

2. WebMD health experts are not on-line 24/7 and may not be in your particular time zone. Mmost of us have active clinical practices and devote randdom times to participate on these various Exchanges. For questions that require IMMEDIATE RESPONSES or EMERGENCIES, the discussion exchange is not the place. You need to contact you own medical provider, or depending on the problem, emergency services in your area. I try to answer as many postings that I can, in a timely manner, but it may take me as long as a day or so to get back to you, so please be patient.

3. WebMD Health Experts are here to EDUCATE, and not "MEDICATE". In other words, we cannot diagnose or treat you over the Internet, based solely on the information in your posting, no matter how thorough. We may be able to offer you ideas or make suggestions, but please keep in mind that we are doing this "blindly" -- without the ability to know your full medical history, or examine you.

4. Many people post that they cannot see a medical provider because of financial constraints or lack of insurance. All of us at WebMD are sympathetic to the struggles that people are having, but this does not change the contraints posed by the Internet. We will do our best to help you, but we cannot substitute for being your medical provider.

5. The Health Exchange is a participatory site -- any member can chose to post on your discussion and offer suggestions or ideas. We encourage this open exchange. Heatlh Experts may not necessarily agree with comments made by members who post, but we may not interrupt an active discussion to say so. Please take advice from others as you would do your friends...or relatives. Most posters will not be medical providers, but do want to help.

6. We are a community. Please do not post private information that would compromise your safety or identity. Be respectful of others. Please do not use this site to promote a personal mission or preach a bias, sell a product/service, or offer any suggestions that may harm someone. We closely monitor discussions and will remove any postings of this nature, and we ask that all members of the Exchange to do the same by informing us.

7. This Exchange is new....and evolving. Be patient and allow the experts to find the bugs and fix them...not unlike what medical providers do when you seek medical care. If you have any suggestions to make our Exchange better and more member-friendly, we welcome them.

That's about all that I can think of (right now)...View Thread

Posted by Rod Moser, PA, PhD

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38 of 61 found this Tip helpful

5 Replies | ReplyReport This| Share this:Some Tips to how best to use your Heatlh Expert Here are some tips that will help me help you..... 1. Tell me as much about you as you feel...

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Your Home Black Bag

Doctors used to carry black bags containing all the medical tools they would need for a home visit. Of course, that rarely happens anymore. ... More

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31 of 53 found this helpful

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