I am 40, female. Is my ear infection treatment right?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 40-year-old female, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 165 pounds. After a doctor removed a fungal infection from my ears, I began experiencing severe pain inside them. I went back to the doctor, who suspected that there was a pimple inside my ear near the eardrum. He prescribed Augmentin 1000 mg, Danzen DS, and Ciprocin ear drops for five days.

After starting the medication, I noticed mucus mixed with some blood coming from my ears. I revisited the doctor, but this time he did not use any instruments to examine my ears. Instead, he changed my medication and prescribed Winloba (Ginkgo biloba), Flogocid ointment, and Otosporin ear drops.

Now I am very confused and unsure whether my treatment is going in the right direction.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for reaching out.

I truly understand your confusion and concern; ear pain and discharge can be very uncomfortable and worrying.

Here is what might be going on. Your doctor likely cleared the initial fungal infection (otomycosis). A pimple or boil near your eardrum may have caused a secondary bacterial infection, which would explain the severe pain and later discharge with traces of blood.

The mucus and blood you are describing suggest ongoing inflammation or a ruptured boil that is now draining. The change in medication may be due to the progression of your symptoms, possibly shifting from an active infection to post-infective inflammation, or a concern about inner ear pressure or circulation.

Your current medications, Augmentin (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid) and Danzen DS (Serratiopeptidase), were likely prescribed to treat infection and reduce swelling. Ciprocin (Ciprofloxacin) drops were intended to numb the ear and relieve pain.

Further, Winloba (Ginkgo biloba) is usually prescribed to support blood flow in the inner ear, often for symptoms like tinnitus or vertigo. Flogocid cream (Neomycin, Nystatin, and Bufexamac) may help reduce external inflammation if applied carefully.

Lastly, Otosporin ear drops (Neomycin, Polymyxin B, and Hydrocortisone) contain both antibiotics and steroids and are used to address infection and inflammation inside the ear canal.

So yes, while it may feel confusing, your doctor is adjusting your treatment based on how your symptoms are evolving. Skipping the use of instruments during the last visit might have been intentional, perhaps because your ear was too sensitive or already showing signs of healing, and further examination could have caused more irritation.

Here is what you can do:

Continue using the prescribed drops exactly as directed.
Do not insert anything into the ear.
Keep your ears dry while bathing. To protect them, use a clean cotton plug coated with petroleum jelly.
Avoid scratching or trying to clean the ear canal yourself.
If symptoms persist beyond another five to seven days, especially if there is pain, new bleeding, or hearing loss, consider seeing your doctor again or getting a second opinion from another ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist.
Ask your doctor if an otoscopic exam or an ear swab for culture is necessary, especially if healing is slow or incomplete.

The skin inside the ear is delicate. After both a fungal and bacterial infection, it can take several days or even weeks to recover fully. It is entirely understandable to feel uncertain during this process, but your current medications seem appropriately targeted for your condition.

Take care, and please follow up if things do not improve as expected. I am here to help if you need any clarification.

Thank you.