Ear Infection

[Hooby]

Hi, I have a bad ear infection and the Dr prescribed antibiotics/steroid/anti inflammatory ear drops. I've taken them 3 times a day for the last 3 days and yet it's still the same. I know I ought to go back to the drs but just wondered if anyone knows how long it takes for the drops to work? Thanks for any advice.

[jennyjoan]

they gave me ear drops some years back and they were the cheapest prescription ever - finished all the drops but was no better. She gave me better ones and within one drop unbelievable the infection cleared up. Go back and ask for different prescription.

[Sqad]

Do you mean a middle ear infection or an outer ear infection?
I would guess, as you are an adult , it is an outer ear infection (otitis externa)
What is persisting as symptoms, discharge? pain? or both?
Did the Dr take a swab.
providing that the diagnosis and treatment are correct, then it mat take up to a week or more to settle.
if it hasn't settled by Monday, then go back to the Dr.

[Hooby]

Thanks to you both for your replies. It is an outer ear infection, a lot of sharp pains
and swelling inside. No discharge that I know of.

[Sqad]

Fine...then my advice stands.

[Sqad]

Hooby...is is called a Furuncle ( boil in the ear)...Google it, the pain is worse when you eat and talk...bloody resistant to treatment, so don't expect much too soon.
Ibuprofen 400mgms when necessary, up to six tablets a day.
Good luck.

[Hooby]

Thanks sqad.