Inflammation of Outer Ear Canal — Got Prescription for Neomycin Drops. What Should I Do?

Ok so my worries were actually real and I got diagnosed with a light inflammation of the outer ear canal.

I got a prescription for neomycin ear drops and now I’m scared as hell to use them as I have read quite a few horror stories about them. My ear drum is intact but still....

I also got „Maxilase“ which is a mild anti-inflammatory drug (alpha-Amylase) and decongestant. Right now I’m thinking about trying it just with the maxilase and see if it gets better. I just don’t know...

Any advise is much appreciated!

 

Since neomycin is an aminoglycoside, and aminoglycosides are one of the few drugs that are certainly ototoxic, I would avoid neomycin in otitis externa if I had tinnitus. Even if the eardrums are intact.

 

Do you have an inflammation or an infection?
If you have an infection you probably were prescribed an antibiotic. Some ear drops (like Ciprodex) combine antibiotic and anti-inflammatory compounds. If you worry about Neomycin in spite of not having a perforated ear drum, you could ask your doctor for another type of ear drops.

I've used Ciprodex and Ofloxacin drops in the past, as has my daughter (who has ear tubes, ie a perforated ear drum).

 

I have now found on the internet that a mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol can be used as a natural remedy.
Has anyone tried this?

 

I don’t know anything about those drugs but you definitely don’t want inflammation in or outside your ears. I learned that the hard way.

 

Can you call your doctor and ask for an alternative?

 

I actually called my ENT and he said the neomycin drops are super safe as long as my ear drum is intact. But he also said that because my symptoms are very mild I could try to use the aforementioned mixture of alcohol and vinegar and see if that might even be enough to treat the infection.
I will return to Germany on Sunday and he will check my ear on Monday morning. So until then I’ll stay away from the neomycin

 

@Bill_
You can get sterile ear drops to reduce inflamation from a pharmacy and should be fine till you see your ENT Monday.
love glynis

 

How did you learn the hard way?