Hi, I'm a 51-year-old female, and I'm reaching out to see if anyone can offer opinions or help. Nine days ago, I suddenly developed tinnitus in my right ear while walking into my office at work. The hearing in that ear suddenly cut out for about ten seconds, accompanied by a loud ringing. My hearing returned, but the ringing has never gone away.
I probably should have gone to the emergency room or sought immediate help, but I assumed it was just a clogged ear and would resolve on its own. After five days without relief, I made an appointment with an ENT doctor, which is scheduled for today.
The week before my ear started ringing, I had used Mupirocin topical in my right nostril to treat a small staph spot. I applied a pea-sized amount on the end of a Q-tip, inserted just inside the rim of my nose, twice a day for five days. Later, I read that this medicine isn't meant for internal use and contains polyethylene glycol, which some articles online claim could be toxic to the ear. Now I'm terrified that I may have unintentionally caused permanent ear damage.
My ENT appointment is this afternoon, and I know he'll be able to give me a clear answer, but I'm wondering if anyone here has any knowledge or experience with this. Could the polyethylene glycol have somehow traveled down my throat and into my ear? Did I do this to myself? I'm very scared right now and trying my best not to panic.
I probably should have gone to the emergency room or sought immediate help, but I assumed it was just a clogged ear and would resolve on its own. After five days without relief, I made an appointment with an ENT doctor, which is scheduled for today.
The week before my ear started ringing, I had used Mupirocin topical in my right nostril to treat a small staph spot. I applied a pea-sized amount on the end of a Q-tip, inserted just inside the rim of my nose, twice a day for five days. Later, I read that this medicine isn't meant for internal use and contains polyethylene glycol, which some articles online claim could be toxic to the ear. Now I'm terrified that I may have unintentionally caused permanent ear damage.
My ENT appointment is this afternoon, and I know he'll be able to give me a clear answer, but I'm wondering if anyone here has any knowledge or experience with this. Could the polyethylene glycol have somehow traveled down my throat and into my ear? Did I do this to myself? I'm very scared right now and trying my best not to panic.
