Who is an ear compress indicated for – how to properly make a compress on the ear for an adult or a child?

Everyone who has encountered such a disease as otitis media knows how excruciating pain is, and how difficult it is to treat. The first thing that comes to mind when an ear hurts is to take “some” pill and make a warming compress. And not everyone thinks how self-medication can be dangerous…

The appearance of pain in the ear is, first of all, reason to see a doctor!

And only then – medicines and compresses.

The content of the article:

1. Types of ear compresses, indications
2. Contraindications for ear compresses
3. Ear compress for a child – instructions
4. How to put a compress on the ear of an adult?

Types of ear compresses for adults and children – indications for them

Warming compress today it is one of the most effective (additional!) methods of therapy in case of otitis media or with inflammation of the middle / outer ear, but (important!) – only in the absence of purulent processes and taking into account contraindications, as well as the rules for installing a compress…

The benefits of the compress are expressed in …

• Rapid elimination of pain.
• Anti-inflammatory effect.
• Acceleration of blood microcirculation.
• Disinfection of the ear canal.
• Improving the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream.
• Reducing edema.

The indication for dressing is …

1. Otitis externa.
2. Hypothermia, ear “blown out” by a draft.
3. Acute otitis media.
4. Otitis media (approx. – only dry heat is used for the compress).
5. Chronic otitis media / ear (approx. – outside the stage of exacerbation).

It is strongly not recommended to self-prescribe a warming compress for yourself if you suspect otitis media or just an incomprehensible pain in the ear. remember, that warming up with a purulent process is extremely dangerous and can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Otitis is not a mild runny nose or headache, it is a serious disease that is necessary must be diagnosed by a specialist… He will prescribe the treatment necessary in each specific case, and also tell you whether a compress is needed as an additional remedy in the treatment with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drops.

What kinds of compresses are there?

There are not so many species.

First of all, compresses are dry or wet.

They are further classified according to the warming agent used:

• Vodka. The most popular option. About 50 ml of heated vodka, which is diluted 1 to 1 with water, is consumed on “one adult ear”. This bandage provides a good warming effect and relieves pain. A decoction of plants or essential oil is sometimes added to vodka. The wearing time of such a bandage is a maximum of 4 hours.
• Alcoholic… A less common option with the same treatment regimen as above. Instead of vodka, use 50 ml of diluted medical alcohol (usually diluted 1 to 1, or even reduce the alcohol content in the solution to 20%), the bandage is also worn no more than 4 hours. Heating with alcohol is not required.
• With camphor oil. This option is no less effective than vodka, but not so popular due to its shortcomings: the oil should be heated in a water bath, not everyone has it at hand, the oil forms stains on clothes. The time of wearing the bandage is no more than 6 hours.
• With camphor alcohol… This tool is distinguished by a very powerful warming, as well as absorbing effect. Minus – it irritates the skin, therefore, before installing the compress, it is lubricated with a fat baby cream. Alcohol is necessarily diluted, and then heated. The time of wearing the bandage is no more than 2 hours.
• With boric alcohol. Despite the fact that boric acid is known as an excellent antiseptic, the method is considered outdated. The scheme is simple: boric alcohol + ordinary vodka + water (approx. – 20 ml of each component). The time of wearing the bandage is no more than 4 hours.

Before putting on a compress (after a doctor’s prescription!), You should definitely conduct a test on your skin to determine its sensitivity:

A compress solution is applied to the inside of the elbow (or wrist). We check the reaction directly after half an hour: if no trouble happened, put a compress on the ear.

Usually they are done twice a day until recovery.

Contraindications for ear compresses – in what cases should they not be done?

Of the contraindications for otitis media, the following can be noted:

• Purulent otitis media (this is the very first and most important contraindication).
• Mastoiditis and labyrinthitis (note – complications of otitis media).
• Increased body temperature.
• Violation of the integrity of the skin at the site of the installation of the compress (abrasions, sores, wounds, boils or dermatitis).
• The presence of moles in the same area.

Why is it important to see a doctor and avoid self-medication?

Otitis media is treated quickly enough and, as a rule, successfully. If you don’t start it.

A person who diagnoses himself “on the Internet” is not able to see the purulent process inside the ear. It would seem that he blew out his ear while walking, warmed it up with a compress, and everything went away. But warming the ear with a purulent process is serious risk of developing (rapid development!) of such complicationslike the spread of infection, meningitis or even a brain abscess.

Algorithm for setting an ear compress to a child – instructions

You can warm up the baby’s ear with a compress only after a visit to the otolaryngologist and his recommendations!

How to do it?

1. Carefully and carefully clean the outer part of the ear from dirt (note – it is forbidden to climb inside the ear!) with a cotton swab.
2. Lubricate the area of ​​application of the compress with a fat baby creamto prevent skin burn or irritation.
3. We fold sterile gauze in several layers and make a cutout in the shape of a square by the size of a child’s ear.
4. We moisten the future bandage with vodka warmed up to 37 degrees, wring it out and put it on the ear. The ear should seem to look out of the gauze “scarf”.
5. Next, we cut out a protective square from polyethylene according to the same principle and put on top of the gauze.
6. Close the applied compress tightly with sterile cotton completely with the ear.
7. We tie the resulting structure with a bandage – we fix it tightly so that the compress does not subside.
8. We insulate the compress with a cap, woolen shawl or scarf, tying around the head.

• Wearing time of a compress – no more than 2 hours.
• It is recommended to apply a bandage between 2 and 4 pmwhen the ears are most susceptible to treatment.
• Important after the procedure, treat the skin around the ear with a damp cloth and lubricate with cream again to avoid irritation.

What to do with a temperature in a newborn – first aid and care rules

How to put a compress on an adult’s ear correctly – an algorithm of actions and rules

For a dry compress, neither vodka nor alcohol is required. Sterile cotton is packed in sterile gauze, then in a bandage make a V-neck and apply a compress to the ear in the same way as in children (see above). From above, the compress is fixed with a bandage tied around the head.

The warming effect is obtained due to the natural heat transfer from the body. The dressing can be left on overnight.

If you wish, you can heat sea or ordinary salt in a frying pan, put into a canvas bag and, wrapped in a cloth, apply to your ear until the salt cools completely.

How to make a wet compress?

The installation scheme is the same as in the case of a baby compress.

The only difference is in the duration of the procedure: for an adult, a compress is installed for 4 hours, and the cutout in gauze is not made of a square shape, but V-shaped…

Instead of alcohol and vodka, a 20% solution of the antimicrobial drug Dimexide is often used (sometimes 3-4 drops of novocaine are added to the solution).

Remember, self-medication is reckless and dangerous! At the first suspicion of otitis media or other ear diseases, it is recommended to consult a doctor… Do not look for answers on the Internet and do not torture the pharmacy staff – go to the doctor right away.

Be healthy and take care of yourself!

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The Colady.ru website warns: the information is provided for informational purposes only, and is not a medical recommendation. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances! If you have any health problems, consult your doctor!