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Smelly Grommets?

2 replies

asosStalker · 25/08/2023 19:07

My son had grommets put in back in March. No problems healing and all was well. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that he had some sticky looking clearish discharge from one ear but wasn’t worried and assumed the grommet was just doing its job and allowing the fluid to drain out. He’d had a bit of a cold around that time.

Yesterday I noticed he was a bit smelly but put it down to him running around in the heat and needing a bath. This afternoon I’ve realised it’s his ear that absolutely stinks. He doesn’t have a temperature, the ear looks normal, and there is no more discharge. But it smells like something has crawled inside and died. You get a whiff just sitting within a few metres of him. When I sniffed his ear I actually thought I might be sick (and I work in healthcare, I can cope with smells!)

Has anyone’s child had grommets and noticed a smell when they fall out maybe? If he had any other symptoms of infection we’d obviously be at out of hours already but it’s literally just the smell.

OP posts:
DarkAndWild · 25/08/2023 19:58

This suggests he may not have typical symptoms if he has an infection. A smell doesn’t sound normal so should probably be checked.

If you see yellow fluid coming out of the ear, it may be an infection. It will not be as sore as a normal infection, and your child won't be as ill. In this situation, we advise you to take your child to see your GP.
https://www.entuk.org/patients/conditions/5/grommets/#:~:text=Most%20people%20with%20grommets%20do,child%20to%20see%20your%20GP.

or smelly fluid coming out of the ear it may be an infection. Contact your GP for advice.
https://www.nhstaysidecdn.scot.nhs.uk/NHSTaysideWeb/idcplg?IdcService=GET_SECURE_FILE&dDocName=PROD_350677&Rendition=web&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=1#:~:text=Some%20children%20have%20a%20blood,Contact%20your%20GP%20for%20advice.

Grommets - A decision-making aid for parents - UPDATE

https://www.entuk.org/patients/conditions/5/grommets/#:~:text=Most%20people%20with%20grommets%20do,child%20to%20see%20your%20GP.

asosStalker · 26/08/2023 21:03

Saw OOH GP today. Infected but not too bad. Just spray needed for now, oral abx if not improving.

Thanks @DarkAndWild

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