While the eardrum heals, you'll need to keep the ear dry. That means no swimming or diving until the doctor says the eardrum is healed. You'll also need to use a shower cap or place cotton coated with petroleum jelly in your outer ear when you shower to keep water out. Other precautions include: Not using medicine other than what's prescribed by your doctor in your ear
Taking all the medicine prescribed by the doctor
Protecting the ear from cold air
Avoiding blowing your nose while the ear heals