Compress on the ear: technology execution

As a rule, during otitis (especially inflammation of the middle ear), and in general, exacerbations of the inflammatory process in the ears, except for medications and drops, are prescribed warming compresses in the ear. Applying compress helps to quickly eliminate pain, improve blood circulation and accelerate the patient's recovery.

The compress on the ear is of two types: oil and alcohol. An oil compress is done using vegetable or camphor oil and retains heat longer. However, the alcohol compress on the ear is more convenient in application: oil flows out onto clothes and stains furniture and linen. Therefore, the alcohol compress was more widely used in practice.

Everyone needs to know how to make a compress on the ear. There are situations in which, the earlier you put it, the faster you will get rid of the pain in your ear.

So, you need gauze (it's better to use ready-made gauze wipes), alcohol (or vodka), bandage, camphor oil and a pair of scissors. When you put a compress on the ear, you need to observe a certain overlay technology, so as not to damage the skin or burn it:

1. Remember that warming compresses are not applied to the ear itself, which hurts you, but to the area around it. First, take gauze napkins or a piece of gauze, folded several times. In the center, cut a hole of this diameter to fit the ear.
2. As a means for impregnation, camphor oil is usually used. It is also possible to use for this purpose vegetable oil, vodka or diluted alcohol. If the compress is alcohol, then we use the alcohol solution.
3. Then it is necessary that the napkin is a little soaked in oil or alcohol. Then you need to squeeze it, so that the drops do not hit the hair or clothes. Cook the prepared compress on the sore ear by placing it in the incision, which you have done in the gauze or napkin.
4. After this, it is necessary to apply a wadded layer and roll up the ear with a bandage, a handkerchief or a kerchief.
5. If the patient has a fever, do not apply a compress to the ear. This can have undesirable consequences. Also, before using this method of treatment, consult a doctor. With such diseases as inflammation of the mastoid process, eczema of the face and neck, the presence of purulent processes, the superimposition of the warming compress is strictly contraindicated.
6. If you put this compress to a child, most of the time this will cause discontent on his part. Therefore, you need to persuade the baby and distract from those unpleasant sensations that will arise. The compress on the ear needs to be changed every 4 hours, but it can be done at night. After sleep, as soon as the child wakes up, it must be replaced with a new one.

A few more tips for those who impose an alcohol compress:

• Grease with oily ointment area around the ear. This is necessary in order to prevent skin burns;
• The compress should be close to the surface;
• If you impose an alcohol compress on a child, you need to dilute the vodka 1: 1 (to protect the baby from the occurrence of a burn), alcohol should be 20-25% of the strength.

It is also important to remember that the appearance of pain in the ear is a sign of otitis media. There are many varieties of otitis, in which the heating is contraindicated. Proceeding from this, remember that it is necessary to put compresses only after the appropriate recommendations of the otolaryngologist.

If you put a compress on a child, there are a few more features. So, butter (camphor or vegetable) is better to warm up a little. If the baby is very small, then it must be laid on its side with a sick ear up. In the case when the child can sit, compress it is better to impose in the sitting position, just as it should be done to any adult patient.