how to unblock my ear?

Warmed olive oil?

Ooh... and just pour it in?! Sorry for the naive question! ?

Yep ?

trying to remember how to warm in though, long time since i've done it. i recall having some in an egg cup and placing that in a mug of hot water...

Don't do anything, I'd go to A&E, especially if your ear is numb. Do you have any pain inside?

Ok! Am a little scared of it, but I'll give it a shot as it's really numb and really annoying. Will let you know how I get on!!

No pain, ruth. It literally just started in the last hour. I've had a bad cold and flu in the last week so wondered if it was linked to that. *puts the olive away for the moment!*

*olive OIL away! ? hitched isn't letting me log in!

Hiya, I've had a cold and a horrible blocked ear for ages.. It's really really annoying, feels like I've been swimming and got water in it, plus it makes me dizzy if I move my head too quickly..

I went to the docs, he wasn't able to offer anything, other than 'try inhaling Olbas Oil'.. apparently there is some mucusy-fluidy stuff in the tube that will just disperse in it's own time.. (nice!).

Still annoying me on and off, I can 'feel' the ear which seems weird, but it's not numb per se...

I think the warmed olive oil is a remedy for ears that are blocked with wax...

Not much use to you there am I ?

I wouldn't try anything like olive oil. Do you not have a local tesco or asda with a pharmacy in? Do you not have late night chemists near you? I'd seek propper advice first to be honest...

Yeah, we have an asda but it doesn't tend to have much selection... I struggled to even find some cold remedies in it. But I'll take a little trip round and see if I've any luck. Thanks! Ruth - you think I should go to the doctors if I can't get anything in asda?

Yep, I would. I work on a head and neck ward, which includes ENT, and I'd advice seeing somebody before messing with your ears. Hope you're feeling better soon!

If it is blocked with wax I'd recommend Otex - I had a problem with this when I was a teen and the doc told me that if Otex is used, this can often avoid the whole gross olive oil-ear syringing scenario...

This happened to me a couple of years ago badly and it drove me nuts - it was right before xmas and I had to wait until the new year to have my ears syringed!

Try, first of all, blowing your nose. Then try this - I do it and I'd like to apologise because it's gross. Sorry all.

Use your middle finger (i find it easiest) and touch inside your ear just above the ear canal. Rotate your finger round 90 degrees until the pad of your finger is resting at the top of the ear canal so it blocks it a little. Then very gently push down so it sort of blocks the ear in a "plunger" type way. Move your finger gently a little so you know it's blocking it, then pull it away. After a couple of goes I usually find a plug of ear wax pops out.

It's disgusting, I know, but really effective. I am NOT suggesting sticking cotton buds or fingers or anything down into your ears - just block the top of the ear canal and it does work like a plunger unblocking a loo!

Good luck. If it persists call NHS direct, or see your doctor.

quote:Originally posted by bookgirl
This happened to me a couple of years ago badly and it drove me nuts - it was right before xmas and I had to wait until the new year to have my ears syringed!

Try, first of all, blowing your nose. Then try this - I do it id="red">and I'd like to apologise because it's gross. Sorry all.

Use your middle finger (i find it easiest) and touch inside your ear just above the ear canal. Rotate your finger round 90 degrees until the pad of your finger is resting at the top of the ear canal so it blocks it a little. Then very gently push down so it sort of blocks the ear in a "plunger" type way. Move your finger gently a little so you know it's blocking it, then pull it away. After a couple of goes I usually find a plug of ear wax pops out.

It's disgusting, I know, but really effective. I am NOT suggesting sticking cotton buds or fingers or anything down into your ears - just block the top of the ear canal and it does work like a plunger unblocking a loo!

Good luck. If it persists call NHS direct, or see your doctor.

Thanks bookgirl, I gave that a try but it didn't do anything. It doesn't really feel like wax when I think about it. It feels like when you drive uphill and your ear blocks from the pressure. My throat is starting to hurt a little. just wondered whether I should give it some time before I ring the doctor... I always feel wick hassling the doctors over something that might sort itself out in an hour!