Doctor, doctor

Dr Rosemary Leonard MBE is a GP with many years’ experience working in London’s top teaching hospitals

Since my holiday, my left ear has been itchy with a discharge of black spots, like old blood. I’ve used antibiotic drops for a week but they haven’t helped.

An infection of the ear canal is common if you swim a lot, especially in open water. It’s usually caused by bacteria, and antibiotic drops should

help. The black spots may be old blood from inflammation or caused by a fungal infection. A swab will confirm this and anti-fungal ear drops, on prescription, can treat it.

Contact Dr Leonard at S Magazine, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP, or email dr.leonard @express.co.uk. Dr Leonard regrets that she cannot reply personally to letters. Read her column every Tuesday in the Daily Express.