AboutMary Pat, R.N. Expertise I am happy to answer general non-diagnostic questions on infant & child care, infant & toddler feedings, discipline, illnesses, and how to access resources for the child with special needs.
Experience I am a pediatric nurse, an R.N. with 40 years experience first as manager of a community hospital pediatric department & 11 years working in a private pediatric practice. I have managed more than 100,000 phone calls from parents in private practice.
Question I have 2 out of three children that have issues with wax build up in ears. My md recommended using olive oil/mineral oil to loosen the wax and irrigate out. I was irrigating my sons ears in the tube and was struggling due the fact he hate having his ears messed with. The syringe went into his ear and I notices a very small amount of blood that came out. He has not complained of pain and his behavior is normal. I have asked him over and over if it hurts and he always tells me no. It was a scant amount. But I wanted to be sure that I didn't perforate ear drum. Should he be in pain if that had occurred. I had an unopened/unexpired bottle of cipro drops for the ears at home. I placed a couple of drops in his ear. I will watch for signs of infection. do you think i should follow up with his md? thanks in advance for your time!
Answer Dear Suzanne:
The only way to tell if the ear drum has been injured or perforated is to have a doctor look inside the ear with a light. If the ear drum was perforated he would have screamed out in pain as it is very painful.
