Ear Wax Why does my GP surgery no longer syringe

TwoSeniorCitizens

I went to our GP surgery about my ears. I was informed there was a significant amount of wax in them. I was told to use olive Oil drops for 2 weeks, but was not given any instructions how to remove the wax from my ears after using the drops. So I am not sure what to do now. My GP said the surgery no longer does ear syringing but I could be referred to a clinic privately at a cost of £75 I know another surgery in our area offers this facility.Two questions why do some surgeries(GP's) offer ear syringing and others don't. What do I do after using olive oil drops to remove ear wax. Any advise will be appreciated

Elinore

my local health auth dont now as standard - a poster outside the ENT dept state its more damaging and does not clear wax as well as oil. It does go on to stay, in not so many words, that older patients who are used to the procedure are 'resistant' to this change but throwing your toys out of the pram wont get you your way (not aimed at the OP, i just thought it was funny)

http://www.unhs.co.uk/unhs/your-health/health-advice/earwax.aspx

GwylimT

The oil will soften the wax, this allows it to exit the ear canal naturally. Just carry on cleaning the external ear as normal eat day to remove any exiting wax.

Many GPs don't do it as it isn't needed, so why should they waste money on it.

Tigsteroonie

Only six months ago I got mine 'irrigated' (I think that's the latest method, rather than syringing) at our local GP surgery by the practice nurse. I had to have drops for a couple of weeks first to see whether that would resolve the issues, and I had to agree to only having one ear done (in case anything goes wrong, they want the other ear to at least function!)

But definitely got it done here

Dean'sDilemma

At the very least it sounds if your GP is being unhelpful. I consider he should have given you instructions what to do after using the olive oil drops to remove the wax. To mention you could have it done privately in the circumstances is out of order especially as the surgery did not offer this service..I had the problems with ear wax a couple of months ago and visited my GP. He gave me a prescription for drops to soften the wax and made an appointment with the practice nurse to have my ear irrigated two weeks later. It only took a few minutes to irrigate and remove the wax and my hearing is now back to normal.

RichardD1970

I had mine done for the first time the other week after one ear became totally blocked, done by the nurse

Couple of weeks with drops then a 2 minute visit to the nurse for an irrigation (electric pump shooting a low pressure stream of water down the ear canal to flush out the wax).

Quite a pleasant sensation although it did tickle a bit.


Edit, my doctor also prescribed drops but when I took it to the pharmacy he gave it me back and sold me the same thing for £1.50 :T

BrianWilliams

I am not sure why some GP surgery's will undertake ear irrigation (formerly syringing)and others refuse to offer this service. I would have hoped it would have been a standard practice throughout England under the NHS. I had my ears irrigated by the practice nurse about a month ago after putting in olive oil drops for 14 days ( I was told buying olive oil drops was cheaper than giving me a prescription).The irrigation proceedure was simple and quick, maybe you should go back to your GP. I understand you can purchase an ear irrigation kit from a pharmacy for under a tenner, but I am not sure how easy or safe it is it.The cost of going privately seems to vary between £50 and £75 which is ridiculous.

kingfisherblue

My son has major problems with ear wax and sees ENT at the hospital because of this. In between appointments, I have to put olive oil in his ears and pop a bit of cotton wool over the top. This helps the wax to soften and when I remove the cotton wool, wax and debris come out on it. I do this overnight. Alternatively, I could put the oil and cotton wool in during the day and remove the cotton wool overnight. Some wax and debris will then work it's way out during the night - so an old towel on the pillow is advised.

Tim_Richmond

I don't know if it is similar to a Post code lottery whether GP will arrange for their practice nurse to irrigate your ear.Perhaps someone knows the answer and will respond on this forum. Our GP's surgery offer this service without any hassle.The idea of purchasing an irrigation kit from the chemist sounds a bit dodgy to me. if it was OK then surely the doctor would issue you a prescription for this item. In any event blocked ears from wax is very uncomfortable and needs to be treated.Someone I know used a clean washing up liquid bottle and filled it up with warm salt water and then cleaned the ear that way. One fact I am sure of, is don't use cotton wool buds as this compacts the wax and makes matters worse.

baby_lemonade

Erm.. just keep your ears clean??

kingfisherblue

baby_lemonade wrote: »

Erm.. just keep your ears clean??

It's not as simple as that. My son produces excessive amounts of wax - the doctors don't know why. He has Down's Syndrome and various medical conditions, but there doesn't seem to be a link.

In addition, he has psoriasis. As the skin grows too quickly, and flakes easily, this becomes trapped in the wax. It becomes difficult to remove. The shape of the skull and the narrow passages associated with DS don't help.

I do keep my son clean. I've taught him how to wash properly, and the doctors have no issue with his hygiene. They have told me that it is kust one of those things - some people produce excessive amounts of wax. Some cannot emit it from their bodies easily. In my son's case, and presumably other people's as well, he has both problems.