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AIBU?

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Original poster

Awful ear infection on holiday - please help!

69 replies

PlaymobilPirate · 21/07/2019 04:45

I'm in Turkey and have an ear infection which is threatening to ruin my holiday.

I've never had to see a doc or anything on holiday and rarely do at home so not sure what to do?

The hotel has a doctor visiting most days. Not sure about today? Sunday?

Am I best off going to see the doc or finding a pharmacy? It's REALLY sore!

OP posts:
Notsureabouthis · 21/07/2019 04:50

I’d try and see a doctor, definitely. Apart from the fact you want to enjoy your holiday and not be in pain, you don’t want to fly home with sore ears.

Hope it gets better soon - so annoying to be ill on holiday. Flowers

gotmychocolateimgood · 21/07/2019 04:54

Get well soon Flowers

Avoid swimming and maybe use ice or a cool flannel if your ear is hot as well as sore. Definitely see the doctor.

feliciabirthgiver · 21/07/2019 05:05

Definitely see the doc and if they are not available on a Sunday ask at reception for the nearest Pharmacy, this is s really common holiday condition and you need some ear drops and will soon start feeling better.

PawPawNoodle · 21/07/2019 05:34

If its any consolation foreign countries tend to prescribe much stronger antibiotics so all may not be lost! I was given essential post-OP ABs in Greece for my ear infection.

sleepylittlebunnies · 21/07/2019 05:39

I’ve found pharmacies abroad to be really good and the pharmacists to be very knowledgeable and thorough. I would try the pharmacy, particularly if the Doctor isn’t about today.

Original poster
PlaymobilPirate · 21/07/2019 07:51

Thanks everyone! I'll try a pharmacy first I think!

OP posts:
Coulddowithanap · 21/07/2019 08:48

We were in Turkey last year and a local pharmacy helped with DDs ear infection. They spoke English so it was easy to explain to them about the pain she was in.

Confrontayshunme · 21/07/2019 09:17

Alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain or wet a flannel with really hot water and put on your temple/ear. Poor you! Ear pain is awful.

maddiemookins16mum · 21/07/2019 09:22

I’d try and see someone asap, you want this cleared up before flying home Op.

CornishMaid1 · 21/07/2019 09:27

Definitely go and see someone today. I had tonsillitis and an ear infection in Spain and the doctor was concerned about me flying home if the infection didn't go down (thankfully it did) as if the ear drum is affected it can cause serious problems flying with the pressure changes.

Best get it sorted asap and then you can try to enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Pippa12 · 21/07/2019 09:41

My parents live in turkey, they find the local doctors great and pharmacists very knowledgeable. You’ll be in safe hands. If the pharmacist is unable to help you or feels you need medical care s/he will point you in the direction of a doctor.

Original poster
PlaymobilPirate · 21/07/2019 09:49

Thanks everyone. No hotel doctor today as it's sunday. Nipped to the pharmacy and he gave me 2 different kinds of drops. It's hard to get them in as my ear is really closed up but I'll persevere

OP posts:
Original poster
PlaymobilPirate · 22/07/2019 08:44

Pharmacist told me to give it 3 days then see a doc if it's still bad. It's awful - my ear and face on that side is swollen and I can't sleep. Dp found me crying on the balcony at 3am. We've saved so hard for this holiday and I feel like I'm spoiling it 😫

OP posts:
GruciusMalfoy · 22/07/2019 08:51

Because you need to fly home relatively soon I'd probably not wait the 3 days. I'd see a doctor asap, check you can't get anything stronger, and fingers crossed it goes down quickly. I feel for you, my DD had this happen too when we were in Spain, luckily once her drops got in it seemed to alleviate quite quickly, but she was miserable before then.

Original poster
PlaymobilPirate · 22/07/2019 09:30

The doc has gone for the day but will see her 2m if I can. The problem I'm having is we can't get the drops in properly. My ear just seems to closed up and they just pool Hmm

OP posts:
makingmammaries · 22/07/2019 09:32

The pharmacy will probably sell you oral antibiotics without prescription if you ask nicely, and it might save your holiday.

CCquavers · 22/07/2019 09:37

I had a perforated ear drum on hols. Put cotton wool in ears to keep out the air, I was told not to get it wet, I was also giving 500mg of ibuprofen. Went after 3 days but stayed cautious. Cotton wool in ear saved my holiday. Go to pharmacy for extra advice if you can’t see dr.

CCquavers · 22/07/2019 09:38

Ah I see you know it ear infection. Ask to see local dr if hotel one not available.

fraxion · 22/07/2019 09:43

You poor thing, you definitely need to see a doctor, you might need oral antibiotics as well as the drops. It happened to my husband on holiday a couple of years ago but thankfully our 'next door neighbour' was an ENT consultant who checked him out and gave him a note to take to the pharmacy for drops and oral antibiotics. It cleared up quickly once he started on both. Good luck Flowers

Croprotationinthe14thcentury · 22/07/2019 09:47

I think you can buy antibiotics over the counter at the pharmacies in turkey. You could a few years ago when I went and got an infected bite

Croprotationinthe14thcentury · 22/07/2019 09:48

If you end up going to the doctor take your passport and ehic card just incase

TheChain · 22/07/2019 09:51

Sounds like Otitis Externa, I get it from swimming pools on holiday almost every time I go away 😩 it’s horrible.
Have they given you antibiotic drops? Most European countries sell them over the counter so there’s no need for a GP.

LoafofSellotape · 22/07/2019 09:54

Don't put cotton wool in your ear!

I would get antibiotics asap.

Hoppinggreen · 22/07/2019 09:56

EHIC card won’t help as Turkey isn’t in the EU but treatment shouldn’t be too expensive

GruciusMalfoy · 22/07/2019 13:38

Don't put cotton wool in your ear!

Would second this, we were told by the ENT who suctioned DD's ears that it can just add to debris clogging ears up.

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