ManBearPig
Contributor
When I have used ear beer, I have been fine. That said, anyone know how long the stuff is good for? Mine is about a year old, and I have a MX trip coming up in 2 weeks. Can I use it, or do I need to make fresh???
Swimmers Ear
- Thread starter Mr. Nudi
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DivingPrincessE
Contributor
I use swimmer's ear after every dive and haven't had an ear infection since I began diving in 2007. I am very prone to ear infections and got them all the time as a kid.
I have heard, though, that swimmer's ear is very drying and therefore not good for people who dive several times a week. Something like the ear beer people have referenced would be preferable of you are diving that much.
For me like me, who dives a couple times a month, swimmer's ear works great.
I have heard, though, that swimmer's ear is very drying and therefore not good for people who dive several times a week. Something like the ear beer people have referenced would be preferable of you are diving that much.
For me like me, who dives a couple times a month, swimmer's ear works great.
telemonster
Contributor
I got swimmers ear on my first trip, and the one time I forgot my swimmers ear. I think the stuff is just alcohol so it shouldn't go bad.
I was going to make some of the 50/50 vinegar/alcohol DIY drying solution but figured i'd smell like a salad all day.
I was going to make some of the 50/50 vinegar/alcohol DIY drying solution but figured i'd smell like a salad all day.
I've used year-old ear beer and had no ill effects. That said, no promises. If you're worried, considering it uses about $0.05 worth of ingredients (and two minutes of your time, most of which is spent taking caps off bottles and then replacing them), why not whip up a new batch?
I use earplugs and nightly alcohol drip in ears - no problems.
ManBearPig
Contributor
What, just because it takes more time to ask the question than to make fresh, you think I should just make fresh???? Excellent point, and noted. Making fresh tonight
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After visiting several ENTs after horrible bouts of swimmer's ear here is what I learned
Alcohol dries out your ear canals. Use it too much and your ear canals will crack and become even more prone to infection- much like the bottom of one's feet can crack and hurt during dry season.
The best defense against swimmer's ear is earwax. Keep the q-tips out and let your body build a nice waxy wall. Ever since I let me ears alone I haven't had an infection in three years...knock wood.
Alcohol dries out your ear canals. Use it too much and your ear canals will crack and become even more prone to infection- much like the bottom of one's feet can crack and hurt during dry season.
The best defense against swimmer's ear is earwax. Keep the q-tips out and let your body build a nice waxy wall. Ever since I let me ears alone I haven't had an infection in three years...knock wood.
There is some very good info in the above linked thread, but also some questionable info. I can tell you that one of the posters to that thread has been self treating ear infections for over 40 years, and has also seen numerous medical practitioners and specialists for said ear infections! Chose well whose advise you heed, but an ear specialist who treats a lot of divers with ear infections is who I place my highest faith (after years of following his advise with success).
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