Does anyone know how long it takes a burst ear drum to heal?

[Olihan]

12mo ds2's eardrum burst on Thurs, he's on ABs but I'm not sure how long it will take to heal.

How do I wash his hair in the meantime or is it safer just to leave it?

TIA

Is it burst or ruptured?

DS ruptured his by poking a q-tip in his ear'ole. It healed up in about 6 weeks

Don't worry about hair washing tbh, or just spritz with a spray bottle. Put cotton wool in ears for bathtime etc.

Poor DS btw, hope he's OK

Both my DC 4.3 and 8 months had burst ear drums over Christmas. Doctor told me to go back in 2 weeks to check they have healed and not to get water in their ears in the meantime.

I didn't wash their hair, just wiped it over with a flannel.

When DS had grommits (sp) put in I was told to put cotton wool with vaseline in his ears during bath time.

Hope DS is better soon.

we have to put cotton wool in ds ear to wash his hair, one ear took 4 weeks to heal and the other took 6 weeks, both times we had to take him back to dr's every fortnight to get them checked

He had an infection so I don't know if that means it's burst or ruptured.

So about 6 weeks, then? I only saw the nurse who confirmed it was ruptured and prescribed the ABs. I didn't think to ask any questions.

Interesting that you al had to go back - nurse didn't mention that.

Have any of your dcs had hearing probs as a result?

I think as it was an ear infection Olihan it burst. Every time I have taken DS back after 2 weeks his have healed over.

DS had recurrent ear infections and his hearing was affected during them and for a while after each one, but not permanently.

He had grommets in both ears in Oct 06, we noticed a big difference in his hearing after they were inserted, they stayed in for about 12 months unfortunately he has had 2 ear infections and burst ear drums in the 3 months since they've been out and his hearing is very poor atm.

While there is so much 'gunk' building behind the ear drum they are likely to be unable to hear well (I think this is called glue ear), but when the ear drum bursts the 'gunk' comes out and they should be able to hear better. I believe the worry is that if the ear drum perforates/bursts regularly it can cause more permanent hearing loss.

Sorry has ended up as a bit of an essay, hope it makes some kind of sense.

How is DS now?

Much better, thank you Ange. It burst on Thursday morning and the pain stopped instantly and we haven't had any gunk out of it since yesterday so hopefully he's on the mend.

Thanks for all the info about it. Neither of my other two have had ear infections so I have no idea what to expect.

Glad he's on the mend, they are usually almost instantly happier once it bursts, but an absolute nightmare before it.