Need Help!!!

[DudleyNMU]

I am diving this weekend and i have a case of swimmers ear. I am on antibotic ear drop and its getting better. Do you all think it will be ok...What do you guys think..thanks any help will be great anyone ever dive with this problems.

Thanks

[erparamedic]

Hmmm.... never had this problem, but if I did, I think I'd take a raincheck on the diving this weekend. Reason being- I know you mentioned you are on an antibiotic eardrop, but there is sooooo much bacteria and crud in the water that I don't think I would risk worsening the infection. Those little eardrops will be over-run with bacteria. I would weigh the options... dive this weekend, and risk worsening the infection and being out of the water for 2-4 weeks, or don't dive this weekend, get completely healed, and go diving next weekend, and the next, and the next... etc. Just my two cents.... there is always next weekend!

[boulderjohn]

Hmmm.... never had this problem, but if I did, I think I'd take a raincheck on the diving this weekend. Reason being- I know you mentioned you are on an antibiotic eardrop, but there is sooooo much bacteria and crud in the water that I don't think I would risk worsening the infection. Those little eardrops will be over-run with bacteria. I would weigh the options... dive this weekend, and risk worsening the infection and being out of the water for 2-4 weeks, or don't dive this weekend, get completely healed, and go diving next weekend, and the next, and the next... etc. Just my two cents.... there is always next weekend!

Good advice.

It is not the diving per se that is the danger--it is just being in the water. I don't think you should do any surface swimming, either.

[Barracuda2]

I am diving this weekend and i have a case of swimmers ear. I am on antibotic ear drop and its getting better. Do you all think it will be ok...What do you guys think..thanks any help will be great anyone ever dive with this problems.

Thanks

I ran into this situation while on a dive trip in Florida years ago. Fortunately, the DM's girlfriend was a nurse and she was able to get me antibiotic ear drops by calling in the prescription to the drug store. Not legal, but I didn't have the time to see the doc for him to write the prescription. I started using it right away and even though I still kept diving, the symtoms began to abate right away. I just kept dousing the ear several times during surface intervals and during the evening. It worked for me. I mean if you really want to play it safe, do what the other posts said, but I don't think it's really necessary to not dive at all. My $.02

[Ann Marie]

I get external ear infections frequently (swimmer's ear) and have dove without incident. Just make sure that after your dive you rinse your ears with fresh water, dry, and dose them with medication.

That being said, a safe and prudent person probably wouldn't dive.:D

[BarryNL]

I am diving this weekend and i have a case of swimmers ear. I am on antibotic ear drop and its getting better. Do you all think it will be ok...What do you guys think..thanks any help will be great anyone ever dive with this problems.

Thanks
Anti-biotics generally aren't that effective for swimmer's ear; an acetic acid/alcohol treatment is more effective. There's two great DAN articles on the issue here:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=48
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=49

[Barracuda2]

Anti-biotics generally aren't that effective for swimmer's ear; an acetic acid/alcohol treatment is more effective. There's two great DAN articles on the issue here:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=48
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=49

If I'm not mistaken, these articles deal primarily with the prevention of Otitis Externa, not the treatment of it once you get it. Once the itching and pain start, the bacteria need to be attacked. From what I know, and that may not be much, an antibiotic must be used. Octic Domeboro used everyday will prevent Otitis Externa, but I'm not sure that it will cure the problem once it gets a start. Is there a doc out there who could clarify this?

[venturediver]

I would continue to use the antibiotic ear drops combined with a drying solution such as auro dry. Use the auro dry followed shortly after by the ear drops. Also, an oral antibiotic such as Augmentin or Amoxicillin would help greatly. You might want to even have your Dr. give you a steroid shot like Decadron to reduce the swelling in your ear. This is a general combination of things that should allow you to have a good dive. (Disclaimer: I am not a Dr., but I have worked in emergency medicine for 13 years. All medications taken are at your own risk.) Also, try www.webmd.com

[loosebits]

I am the foremost expert on otis externa (at least as far as having it). I have persistent ear infections in both ears. They have been with me for several years.

Get on the antibiotics. Usually you take them 2 to 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days depending on the drug. Ibuprofin does a pretty good job of relieving the symptoms especially the swelling of the ear canal.

I would avoid diving with an ear infection as it makes it harder for the drugs to kill it off. Here is the problem, when the ears are wet, gaps open up between the cells and it allows the infection to go deeper into the ear. It may give the bacteria or fungus a safe refuge from the antibiotics. I would stay out of the water until the infection has cleared up and you are done with the antibiotics. Doing otherwise may cause some bacteria/fungi to be exposed to a mild dose of antibiotics but not enough to kill them off and then a little while later, when the infection comes back, you may end up with one that is resistent to the antibiotics and then you'll end up in my shoes. I've had my ear infection for almost three years now (it doesn't bother me as much as a new infection for some reason, perhaps my immune system and the bacteria have come to some sort of agreement: they don't cause me much pain and I don't try to kill them all that much).

If you must dive while still on the meds, I recommend a Pro-ear mask (just google it). It looks silly and the sound of air bubbling out can be quite irritating but it will keep your ears dry and may save you from being in my shoes.

The antibiotics I've have the most luck with include ciprodex and floxin. Zolene has some hydrocorisone and something else in it that will relieve some of the symptoms along with an antibiotic but I wouldn't recommend the antibiotic in it.

When you are taking the drops, let them sit in your ear (lay on your side) for at least 5 minutes. Don't just drop them in and let them run back out. You should also pull down and back on your ear lobe to help straighten your ear canal until you feel the medicine hitting your ear drum. I've found the squeeze bottles much easier to use than an pipette (aka eye dropper). Also, make sure you shake the medicine before using. The antibiotics are often just a colloidal suspension and may settle in the bottle.

Finally, never do anything to remove wax from your ears. Wax is your primary defense against outer ear infections.

[www.scubamazing.com]

looks like the weekend has started. Did you end up diving? How you feeling so far?

[Guba]

Okay, I'm all for "polling the audience for info", but the anecdotal evidence is still that...anecdotal. Not meaning to be critical of all the advice offered, but isn't this bordering on practicing medicine without a license? Careful what info you distribute. And above all, careful what advice you take from the internet. Sure, we're all divers and we only want to help, but we can't look into your ears and see what's there. A live, trained medical professional can. I wouldn't even want one of those operating on me by email, so best to ask a doc who is up to date on diving medicine and the associated complaints, illnesses, and conditions. Good luck with your ears and your diving.

[DudleyNMU]

Thanks everyone...I was just looking for some general information on the subject and wanted to know if any of you have dived with this problem. I did dive this weekend, and it was great no problems...I am still on the drops to make sure it goes away but other than that we did 2 great dives...GREAT LAKES DIVING IS THE BEST! Cold water and great wrecks....Thanks Divers.