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Perforated Eardrum, flu and washing my hair

:hello:

I will try to keep this short

I have had bad flu for over a week now, muscle pains, very bad cough with phlegm, constantly runny nose and feeling weak with little energy.

Unfortunately, early on Christmas day (4am ) I developed a perforated eardrum and the pain and bleeding was really awful..... :(:cry:


Well, I think with antibiotics and painkillers and rest I am starting to get a bit better.

I would like to wash my hair so any tips gratefully appreciated, obviously I must keep my ear dry because of the infection.


Many thanks in advance :A


Fiona
«1

Comments

  • well I'm just up after a bad, night of pain and no sleep.. :sad:

    No replies but 35 have view,??

    please someone talk to me..... :cry:

    Fiona xx
  • Hi there, sorry you are feeling so poorly.

    My mum had perforated eardrums for years and used earplugs when she went to the hairdressers. You can buy them at boots or your local chemist .

    Hope you get better soon x
  • Do you have somebody who could help you. if you sat/squated (!) and put your head backwards over the bath - then somebody could wash your hair and hopefully keep your ear dry.
  • That sounds so painful you poor thing. I know it's not exactly getting your hair washed but have you tried a dry shampoo Batiste you just spray it on, leave it a wee minute then brush it out it gets rid of the grease & heaviness and at least freshens your hair up. It's easy to pick up in Boots Superdrug usually between the shampoos and hairspray. (But could anyone find it for me when I was hpusebound and couldn't bend to wash my hair!!! noone knew what I was on about! GRR!!)
    Hope you feel better soon.
    Booo!!!
  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It's really important to keep water out if the eardrum is perforated. I'm sure you must be desparate to wash your hair, but had you thought about using a dry shampoo ? I couldn't find any info on nhsdirect about PE and hairwashing and in your shoes I'd give my GP practice a ring and discuss what would be the best method with one of the nurses. Knowing the nurses at my practice they'd probably tell me to put up with dirty hair :eek: Hope you start to feel better soon.
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
  • Thanks so much for the replies simply and pink.

    I will get my husband to get the earplugs from the chemist when he is better (he has the flu too!) maybe he will wash my hair when he feels better as well..

    Thanks again for your kind wishes; they are much appreciated :T

    Fiona
  • My mum didnt have any problems with the plugs but you must make sure they are in properly. If you get someone to wash your hair just keep a corner of the towel over the ear as an extra precaution
  • joanie
    joanie Posts: 113 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    my Dad had a perforated ear drum following grenade damage during his national service days.... my mum used to seal his ear with a small piece of cotton wool and candle wax ! obviously she was very careful but it did the trick.... not sure if you would want to try this or not! I suppose it depends how desparate you are.

    pesonally i would be inclined to try simply holding cotton wool in my ear and finger over the opening while DH rinsed and washed hair for me over the bath or sink - using a jug rather than a shower attachment.

    good luck
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  • Errata
    Errata Posts: 38,230 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    booklover wrote: »
    Thanks so much for the replies simply and pink.

    I will get my husband to get the earplugs from the chemist when he is better (he has the flu too!) maybe he will wash my hair when he feels better as well..

    Thanks again for your kind wishes; they are much appreciated :T

    Fiona

    Be careful - my doctor says people should put nothing smaller in their ear than their big toe !
    .................:)....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)
  • Personally I think you should treat yourself to a wash and blow dry at the hairdressers. you've had a tough trot of it and you deserve something nice - it might lift your spirits a bit as well :)

    If not you can get dry shampoo in boots - it's normally on the bottom shelf below the 'special' shampoos (ie medicated ones)
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