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Instructions for Use of Ear Drops
| You will be given a bottle of ear drops by the hospital to use after surgery. Hold on to the attached prescription for later use if needed, until tubes are out. If this prescription needs to be filled, take it to the drugstore. It has already been signed by your physician so you will not need to call our office first. Please be sure and read over the instructions below. |
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE USE OF EAR DROPS BEGINNING THE DAY OF THE INSERTION OF TUBES
The eardrops given to you at the hospital by your doctor should be used in your child's ears at a rate of 4 drops in each ear canal 4 times a day for the next 4 days. These drops are used either because of infection noted at the time of surgery or more often used to prevent any discharge from the ears from blocking the small opening in the tubes. It would not be unusual for your child to be irritated by having the drops placed in the ear canals. At times, the drops may even cause some burning in the ear canal. Should your child appear to be in severe pain when you first start using the drops, discontinue the use of the drops and contact our office. It is helpful to store the drops at room temperature and warm them to body temperature before use by holding them in your hands or keeping them close to your body. Please "pump" the cartilage just in front of the ear canal opening to help the drops enter the ear.
WHAT IF THE EARS DRAIN LATER?
After healing from the operation is complete, it is still possible for the ear to drain mucous. This is often the result of a viral upper respiratory infection. If your child develops ear drainage begin the drops as instructed and use them for 5 days. If this 5 days of treatment does not control the drainage, or if fever or pain develops, call your doctor. If chest or abdominal symptoms develop, call your primary care doctor. You have been given a prescription for eardrops. The purpose of these drops is to keep the small hole within the tube from plugging with blood or mucous secretions from the middle ear, to fight infection in the ear and to decrease the inflammatory response. When using the drops it will be more comfortable for the ears if the drops are brought to room temperature by holding them in your hand or keeping them near the body. It may appear that the drops can be tasted and, in fact, this is an indication that the drops have reached the middle ear and passed down the eustachian tube into the back of the throat. Do not be alarmed by this response. If the taste is to unpleasant, you can give your child something to drink. Mild to moderate discomfort in the ear may be experienced. If the pain seems very severe, discontinue the drops and contact your physician.
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