Blocked ear, when to return to GP?

[Notflyingfree]

Took dd (9) to GP on 1 July with earache and blocked ear following a cold. Prescribed antibiotics which ran till 6 July. However she still has deafness in that ear now and says it isn't better though the earache is more intermittent. No temperature and no other symptoms except still a bit snotty. Any thoughts about when/if a repeat GP trip would be warranted? I'm assuming there's nothing much else they would do?

Bump, anyone? She's complaining again this evening.

If it’s not better go back-they may try a different antibiotic

Just blocked and no pain? Sounds like it's wax. Generally antibiotics aren't needed for ear infections (had a very interesting talk from an ENT consultant last week) and oral antibiotics are less affective than topical. Anyway, if it's just blocked I would suggest a week of bicarbonate of soda drops twice a day. Don't put cotton wool in them but make sure she lies with her head on the side for a good ten minutes afterwards. If it's still not clear then go back.

Disclaimer** If there is dull pain, if it was me, then I would still follow the above advice but as it is your dd I would not advise that over the internet

I don't think it's wax. They had a good look in her ear last week and she does still have some pain - on and off. She said it's the same sort of pain as a headache now. Also she's said she can hear crackling sometimes and the pain is sometimes triggered by blowing her nose. I absolutely take the point about antibiotics. Actually we were given them after seeing a consultant via A&E last week. GP sent us there for a second opinion, though DD was not desperately I'll or anything.

ill not I'll obvs

Oh and I once tried to clear my own ears with bicarb drops and it was an unmitigated disaster made everything worse until I could get them properly 'done'. I have a little bulb cleany thing now but wouldn't want to mess about with that in DD's ears.

Sorry I just realise that might sound ungrateful it was just a tangential anecdote really - I appreciate the advice and would welcome more!

The drops should just soften the wax. Olive oil is gentler than bicarb ones though. The popping does make it sound like wax though. It's a shame pharmacists can't look in ears it would be much easier! Does your surgery have a nurse practitioner you could see?

Go back to the GP. It may be something that can be sorted with some form yor ear drops, but it needs looking at if there are still problems after finishing the course of antibiotics.

Nurse is a good idea - I'll ask the surgery in the morning. Presumably a nurse could have a look and advise what to do if it looks like wax or could refer back to GP if not.

Yes and if it's a nurse practitioner then they can also prescribe antibiotics.

Brilliant - thanks for the help.