 [ Symptoms ] is it ok to use heat warm towel on a ear ache  i heard an old wives tale that if you fill a sock with dry rice and warm it in the microwave then lay the affected ear on it that it will somehow draw out the moisture built up behind the ear drum and relieve the pain from the pressure i find this hard to believe but i do know heat can soothe pain and i was wondering is it ok to use a warm towel or some mild heat on an ear that you think might be infected could this actually cause more problems instead of helping [ Disease ] if overdose is suspected contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately us residents can call the us national poison hotline at 1 800 222 1222 canada residents can call a provincial poison control center overdose can cause lactic acidosis symptoms of overdose may include severe drowsiness severe nauseavomitingdiarrhea rapid breathing slowirregular heartbeat