WEEK 1-2 AGO: Initial Problem Day 1-3: Perineal Swelling (Sitting Trauma) Sat for 7-10 hours daily for 10-12 days listening to classes with earbuds Developed perineum swelling + inflammation + pain One side affected, then switched to other side Then subsided Cause: Prolonged sitting + earbuds pressure Day 4-7: Ear Pain Develops Left ear pain started (especially during chewing/talking) Pain increased significantly Took Ibuprofen repeatedly for pain + swelling One night: severe pain, couldn't sleep, took Ibuprofen to sleep Cause: Likely secondary infection from sitting posture + earbud use FIRST DOCTOR VISIT (Visit 1) Initial Diagnosis: Pus found in left ear Confirmed bacterial infection (acute otitis media or externa) Doctor used pointed tweezers, extracted pus Ear blockage opened temporarily Symptoms at this visit: Pain, blockage, discharge with pus Treatment Given: Antibiotic ear drops (to clean pus with cotton earbuds) Antibiotics (oral) Fever/flu medication Immediate After Visit 1: Developed fever, sneezing, flu-like symptoms Took medications at night before bed Morning: Pain and fever subsided somewhat Next morning: Attempted to clean ear with drops Result: Ear got blocked again SECOND VISIT: ENT Clinic Procedure: Doctor suctioned ear (suction machine) Some pus removed Ear opened from suction Applied white ointment on cotton Cotton placed in ear to protect/treat Treatment Given: Antifungal drops (new finding - fungal infection discovered) Steroid tablets Painkillers Told to clean pus with antibiotic drops using earbuds After This Visit: Cotton left in ear overnight Experience: Severe itching (couldn't tolerate) Morning: Tried to clean with drops Result: Ear blocked again THIRD VISIT (Last Visit - The Critical One) Condition When Arriving: Left ear was OPEN and fine (no blockage) No major issues Healing was progressing Doctor's Findings: Fungal infection confirmed HOLE IN EARDRUM discovered/confirmed Hole can swell shut (from fungal inflammation) When swelling reduces, hole opens again Procedure Done: Doctor used suction machine AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUCTION: Ear BLOCKED This is the KEY POINT: Suction closed the open ear Treatment Given: Antifungal drops Steroid tablets (Levocet - actually antihistamine) Antibiotics Painkillers Result: Prescribed these but you stopped taking them What Happened After: Ear remained BLOCKED from that point Still blocked until now CURRENT CONDITION (Since Last Suction) Symptoms NOW: Ear Blockage: Left ear completely blocked/closed feeling Sometimes opens slightly (pop sound) Pop sounds during yawning and mouth movement Feeling fluctuates (sometimes more open, sometimes more closed) Pain: Initially: Expanding pain with swallowing (rare) No pain with normal eating No pain with yawning Only rare pain during burping NOW: Pain is INCREASING (gaining started to paining) Hearing: Can still hear but BLOCKED/MUFFLED Sound transmission affected but still present Not complete deafness Drainage: Yellow fluid coming out when lying on left side Suggests pus/infected fluid draining Only happens in certain positions Tick-tock Sound: When moving head Clicking/popping sound Indicates fluid moving in middle ear Sign of trapped fluid with air bubbles UNDERLYING ISSUES (Your Medical History) 1. Previous Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET) After previous fever: developed PET More in right ear, less in left ear Had subsided by now Causes autophony (hearing own voice loudly) Makes you susceptible to infections 2. Allergies Dust allergies (significant) Morning allergy symptoms Causes sneezing vigorously in dusty conditions This is ROOT CAUSE of many ear problems Allergic inflammation → nasal congestion → Eustachian tube dysfunction → infection risk 3. Family History Father had ear hole + pus oozing from ear Possible genetic predisposition to: Eustachian tube weakness Chronic ear infections Eardrum vulnerability Susceptibility to infections 4. Flying Experience During plane takeoff/landing: ear pain + blockage Indicates Eustachian tube dysfunction Pressure change sensitivity Related to PET history 5. Hearing Test Last year: Hearing test showed NORMAL But you sometimes hear sounds unclearly Suggests conductive issue (fluid, wax, tube dysfunction) rather than hearing loss THE THREE INFECTIONS (Current) 1. BACTERIAL INFECTION Start: 2 weeks ago (from earbuds + sitting) Confirmed: Pus in ear (doctor saw it) Current: May still be partially active Status: Antibiotics were started but you stopped 2. FUNGAL INFECTION Discovery: Second visit (ENT doctor found it) Cause: Hole in eardrum allowed fungus to grow Current: Likely still present/active Status: Antifungal drops prescribed, you have clarithromycin drops only Treatment needed: Longer course (2-4 weeks) 3. SUCTION-INDUCED TRAUMA SWELLING (NEW) When: Last visit - immediately after suction Cause: Second unnecessary suction to already-open ear Effect: Added inflammation + swelling Current: This closed your previously-open ear Status: Swelling from trauma + original infection Timeline: Should resolve in 3-7 days with proper treatment THE EARDRUM HOLE What It Means: Hole in eardrum from bacterial infection pressure Small to moderate size (not massive) Can heal on its own in 2-4 weeks typically OR may need drainage tube if fluid won't drain Impact: Sound can enter directly through hole Eardrum can't stretch to release pressure Pressure builds up → pain Fluid can leak out (yellow drainage you're seeing) Higher infection risk Healing: Needs dry environment Needs pressure relief Needs inflammation reduction Usually closes naturally once infection/swelling controlled
eardrum perforation with fungal otitis media treatment healing blocked ear after suction
| Problem | Status | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Tympanic membrane (eardrum) perforation | Confirmed, present | Allows fluid + fungus into middle ear |
| Fungal infection (otomycosis) | Active, undertreated | Can worsen perforation, block canal |
| Middle ear fluid / conductive blockage | Current main symptom | Causes muffled hearing + clicks |
"Either approach [observation vs early surgery] will result in perforation closure in approximately 90% of cases... expectant management cites the high likelihood of spontaneous healing."
"Acute perforation of the eardrum often results in otorrhea, relief of pain, and spontaneous healing of the perforation."
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Dust allergy | Ongoing nasal inflammation -> Eustachian tube oedema -> poor middle ear drainage |
| Previous PET | Structurally abnormal Eustachian tube - less resilient to infection |
| Father's history of ear hole + pus | Genetic predisposition to chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) |
| Incomplete treatment courses | Infection not fully cleared; fungal infection not adequately treated |
| Cotton bud use in infected canal | Packs debris deeper, traumatises inflamed skin, delays healing |
Right now I had pain sometimes sometimes okay .and hearing this pop sound sometimes .a yellow colured fluid comes out when I lie down on left side ( left ear had issue) and had muffled sound hearing only..blocked feeling of ears
Infection still active in middle ear
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Fluid (pus) accumulating
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Eustachian tube swollen/dysfunctional (allergy + infection)
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Fluid can't drain upward through tube
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Only exit = the eardrum hole (downward drainage when you lie left)
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Blocked + muffled + intermittent pain + pops
"After the last suction my ear blocked immediately. I have yellow fluid draining when I lie on the left side, muffled hearing, intermittent pain, and popping sounds. I stopped the medications - what do I restart and is it safe with the perforation?"
I had a appointment with ent at august 17..so how can I naturally at home hels this infection and the doctor said sometimes the hole get closed by its own
| Do NOT | Why |
|---|---|
| Put cotton buds in the ear | Pushes debris deeper, traumatises healing tissue |
| Use earbuds/earphones in left ear | Pressure + moisture = prevents healing |
| Get water in the ear | Moisture feeds fungal infection aggressively |
| Shower without protecting the ear | Use a cotton ball lightly coated with Vaseline to plug the canal entrance during showers |
| Blow your nose hard | Forces infected mucus into the Eustachian tube |
| Swim or submerge head | Absolutely off-limits until the hole closes |
| Fly in a plane | Pressure changes with a perforation can be very painful and damaging |
| Week | Expected Progress |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Yellow drainage reduces, pain less frequent, slight improvement in muffling |
| Week 2-3 | Blocked feeling starts to ease, pop sounds reduce |
| Week 3-5 | Hearing improving, hole may begin closing |
| By August 17 | ENT can assess if the hole has closed or needs a paper patch procedure |