Inflamed ear canal and dizziness

[832ark]

Stupidly at the beginning of last week I used a key to scratch an itch just inside my ear. Next day I felt a little discomfort and assuming there was some wax even more stupidly cleaned my ear with cotton buds and otex then rinsed with warm water. Next morning, Thursday, I woke up with a feeling of fullness in that ear, tinnitus and slight dizziness. Went to the docs who reckoned I had an ear infection and gave me oral antibiotics. 5 days in I'm still no better, with the occasional feeling of soreness from within my ear canal. Can an inflamed and sore ear canal cause dizziness? Should I actually be on ear drops rather than oral antibiotics?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[davhill]

832ark said:

Stupidly at the beginning of last week I used a key to scratch an itch just inside my ear. Next day I felt a little discomfort and assuming there was some wax even more stupidly cleaned my ear with cotton buds and otex then rinsed with warm water. Next morning, Thursday, I woke up with a feeling of fullness in that ear, tinnitus and slight dizziness. Went to the docs who reckoned I had an ear infection and gave me oral antibiotics. 5 days in I'm still no better, with the occasional feeling of soreness from within my ear canal. Can an inflamed and sore ear canal cause dizziness? Should I actually be on ear drops rather than oral antibiotics?

Thanks in advance for your help!

There was just such a case on 'GPs Behind Closed Doors'. An infection had caused swelling inboard of the eardrum and was putting pressure on the semicircular canals. Result, dizziness and imbalance.

I suggest the key was your trigger.

Oral antibiotics should clear it given time. If It's
stubborn, you may need another course.

[832ark]

Thanks, that's reassuring! Been reading all sorts of nasty things about labrynthitis. I was an idiot to put a key in my ear! Shan't be doing that again!

[13m]

832ark said:

Stupidly at the beginning of last week I used a key to scratch an itch just inside my ear. Next day I felt a little discomfort and assuming there was some wax even more stupidly cleaned my ear with cotton buds and otex then rinsed with warm water. Next morning, Thursday, I woke up with a feeling of fullness in that ear, tinnitus and slight dizziness. Went to the docs who reckoned I had an ear infection and gave me oral antibiotics. 5 days in I'm still no better, with the occasional feeling of soreness from within my ear canal. Can an inflamed and sore ear canal cause dizziness? Should I actually be on ear drops rather than oral antibiotics?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Yes it can. Antibiotics are the ticket, but you may experience dizziness even after finishing the course.

Stop drinking caffeinated drinks, it can help. You'll probably get a headache for a couple of days though.

I know the above because I had the same problem recently. The doc didn't mention avoiding caffeine though, I found that out myself. It made me feel much better.

[832ark]

Cheers dude!

[Riley Blue]

832ark said:

Thanks, that's reassuring! Been reading all sorts of nasty things about labrynthitis. I was an idiot to put a key in my ear! Shan't be doing that again!

I was diagnosed with Labrynthitis at Easter, ended up in A&E and spent three days in hospital - not nice! Since then I've heard of several people going down with it locally (Chesterfield).

[832ark]

Riley Blue said:

I was diagnosed with Labrynthitis at Easter, ended up in A&E and spent three days in hospital - not nice! Since then I've heard of several people going down with it locally (Chesterfield).

I'm pretty sure that's not what I've got, my symptoms are just too mild. The dizziness is only slight, in fact it gets worse the more I think about it but when I'm distracted I barely notice it. Hope you're recovered now!

[Riley Blue]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Mine was very shortlived by comparison but they were checking for stroke symptons so I had an MRI scan and kept on the stroke ward under observation, I felt fine almost as soon as I left A&E and felt a complete fraud in my single en-suite room...

[832ark]

In that case I deffo don't have what you guys did! I think I'd be stuck in bed if so! That sounds really nasty, glad you've made recoveries!

[davhill]

832ark said:

Thanks, that's reassuring! Been reading all sorts of nasty things about labrynthitis. I was an idiot to put a key in my ear! Shan't be doing that again!

I've had two experiences with labyrinthitis, with my mum and with my wife respectively doing the suffering.

In both instances, vertigo was the main problem and poor mum became very sick, to the extent of needing an antiemetic injection. Then again, wifey was convinced I'd put something nasty in her tea, which I hadn't. I'm no doctor but my diagnosis was spot on, even down to the injection.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

If your infection was caused by something on your key, then it would have started in the outer ear - or what we call Otitis externa.

If it was OE, then I am quite surprised that your GP prescribed oral antibiotics - usually for OE a liquid antibiotic ear drop is prescribed, as it obviously works on the site of infection in the outer ear canal.

It can in some instances spread to the middle ear - otitis media - and I am wondering if this is what's happened in your case?

Either way, you should make another appointment asap to have it looked at again. If it is now causing you dizziness, it is a matter of greater concern and should be addressed immediately.

[832ark]

Thanks Ray, I did tell the doc that I was dizzy and in fairness that has improved somewhat. I must admit that I was surprised at the oral ABs as when I had something similar a few years ago after having the ear syringed I had drops but can't remember if they were ABs or steroids.

[832ark]

Just seen a different doc who tells me that I have an ear canal full of eczema which is all infected and very inflamed. Got some ear drops now which should hopefully clear it up.