How to put in ear drops
Patient information leaflets
NHS Borders
ENT Department
Borders General Hospital
Melrose
TD6 9BS
Telephone: 01896 826000
For a copy of this information in:
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Contact ENT Department on 01896 826133
"Information given on this site is not meant to take the place of a talk with your doctor or health worker."
A guide for patients
To put in ear drops correctly you must follow these instructions.
It would be helpful to get someone else to put in the drops for you. Do not worry if this is not possible.
- the drops need to cover the skin lining the ear canal and the eardrum
- the most effective way to do this is for you to lie down on a bed or sofa, with the affected ear facing up
towards the ceiling
- put the ear drops into the ear, let the drops flow down towards the canal
- press the cartilage just in front of the ear canal called the tragus several times for 5 - 10 seconds
- wait 5 minutes in this position, this will let the drops reach the innermost part of the ear
- repeat in the other ear if it has been prescribed
Do not put cotton wool in your ears. Wipe away any excess solution when you sit up.
It is better to leave the ear open to the air.
How to look after your ears
If you are prone to ear infections, you should prevent water getting into your ears.
Never clean your ears with cotton buds. This tends to make wax accumulation worse, may cause infections and can cause permanent damage if accidentally pushed in too far.
A simple way to protect your ears from water: smear some Vaseline onto some cotton wool. Plug your ear with this when you have a shower or wash your hair
Ask your ear surgeon if it is all right for you to go swimming. Some extra protection may be needed in special cases or you may be advised never to get your ears wet at all.