Ear care after diving the springs?

[DaytonaDave]

I had a recent dive where my buddy flushed his ears with an alcohol and vinegar mix right after the dive. He said it was to prevent him from getting infections.... I know that amoebic infections in standing water are a real possibility here in Florida, as are some forms of bacterial meningitis (which can be fatal).... so, the question is, does anyone else worry about this, and if so, what do you use? How do you apply it? My buddy uses a small plastic bottle and holds it to his ear and turns his head up quickly.

I know that if you have water trapped behind your eardrum that alcohol will pull it out, so this seems like a good side-benefit.

I was thinking if I used the mixture I would get one of the old-style contact solution bottles since they deliver a stream of the solution....

Any thoughts?

 

[DandyDon]

Generally a very good idea. Very cheap and couldn't hurt, even tho the spring water is cleaner than what some of us dive in at times. :11:

 

[Dive-aholic]

I've done a several dozen dives in the springs, many of the dives lasting in the 1.5 hr range with no ear issues. Like Don said, Florida spring water is a lot cleaner than the water some of us dive in out west. I haven't had any problems diving in the local lakes out here either. I've seen recipes for solutions to do that, but can't remember them off hand right now. Be careful with the mix, too much of one or the other can create more problems than it fixes. If you haven't had any problems with your ears, I'd just leave it alone.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Dave,

I know that if you have water trapped behind your eardrum that alcohol will pull it out, so this seems like a good side-benefit

If there is fluid accumulation in the middle ear space, placing alcohol or any other liquid in the external auditory canal is not going to "pull it out" through the eardrum or in any other fashion affect it ----> basic anatomy of the ear----> http://www.valleyhealth.com/images/image_popup/w17_earanatomy.jpg.

If one wishes to take steps to prevent outer ear infections (otitis externa), the following article of mine should prove useful:

"Preventing Swimmer's Ear

Prevention and treatment of dive-related earache depends upon whether the cause is in the external auditory canal or middle ear space. You may consult the following for basic ear anatomy----> http://www.audiologyawareness.com/hhelp/anat100.gif

The most common symptom of outer ear inflammation or infection, known as swimmer’s ear or otitis externa, is discomfort/pain that may worsen with pulling on the ear. In more severe cases, there may be a discharge in or coming from the canal.

When the problem is within the external ear canal, preventative steps include the application of drops that protect ear tissue and inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms.

There are a variety of such products on the OTC market, but a number of them contain large amounts of alcohol, a chemical that will dissolve the cerumen (ear wax) in the canal and possibly be excessively drying, leaving it prone to infection. For the same reason, products containing hydrogen peroxide should be used with restraint.

A diver wishing to prevent outer ear infection may want to try placing a few drops of mineral oil or lanolin into a dry and healthy ear canal before each dive to see if this helps. If this doesn't prove adequately effective, this procedure can be coupled with the post-dive application of a mix of 1/3 distilled water, 1/3 white vinegar and 1/3 isopropyl alcohol. This can easily be made at home and should be mixed afresh every month.

If recurrence of infection continues, one can try a product similar to Otic Domboro, a prescription preparation recommended for its divers by the US Navy. For reasons that are unclear (at least to me), then manufacturer (Bayer) ceased production back in Dec '00. However, shortly thereafter Bosch & Lomb came out with a generic formulation (NDC 24208-615-77) not requiring a prescription.

If you are unable to find such a formulation, it can be easily compounded by your local pharmacist at reasonable cost. Take the following recipe to the pharmacy:

Aqueous Solution: 8 parts of aluminum acetate solution BP with 5 parts purified water, freshly boiled and cooled.

Or

Non Aqueous Solution: 2% acetic acid, in a propylene glycol vehicle containing propylene glycol diacetate 3% and sodium acetate 0.015%.

Instructions for use for both are: Apply to both ears once a day unless the water being dived is contaminated. In that case, use the drops before and after diving. Tilt the head to one side, add 2-3 drops (taking care not to let the dropper touch the ear or anything else) and then gently massage the ear in a circular motion for about 5 minutes before lifting it upright.

The shelf life for both once the bottles are opened will be on the order of one week.

It is not a good idea to dive with an ear that is infected, substantially inflamed or congested and poses a threat to easy and complete equalization.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.©Doc Vikingo"

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[CheddarChick]

As the only water filled place deep enough to submerge the entire face & body in Wisconsin are scumy lakes and quarries, and after getting a severe ear infection last year, and being paranoid beyond belief at this point, I always use a ear wash in the summer months. My ENT doc said to mix 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 saline soultion, 1/3 alcohol. Drop into ear and leave it for at least 3 minutes, (5 is better). I wondered about the baby oil afterward. Not only does it ease my paranoia, but I crave salads after the dive...I do wonder if the wearing of my 3 mil hood makes it harder to equalize?

 

[Diver Lori]

When I was doing my cavern/intro course in the springs back in the late 90's there was a fellow from the UK in my class. He'd been there the week before diving everyday working on his skills before starting the class.

Poor guy had a raging case of swimmer's ear in both ears. So the springs aren't as clean as you think they are and actually carry more bacteria than salt water according to DAN.

Two years ago I ended up the same way diving the cenotes in Mexico. Stupid me forgot to do my ear tonic, my nightly regimen before going to bed, a few times that week and I paid for it with a double ear infection.

Take Doc's advice and have some ear tonic made up.

 

[Surelyshirly]

I just got over a bout of swimmers ear and was told about "ear beer" which is the solution of alcohol, white vinegar and sometimes some of the vinegar is replaced with peroxide. I was directed to http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1730&highlight=ear+beer]on DECO STOP for more info on it

 

[DaytonaDave]

......and sometimes some of the vinegar is replaced with peroxide.

Hmmm... I thought vinegar and peroxide were reactive?

I'm going to mix up the solution that DocVikingo recommended. Thanks Doc!

 

[DandyDon]

I've had some terrible ear infections when I forgot, but never since I started using the alcohol & vinegar mix. I squirt some in each ear after every dive and every shower.

Of course, now - I have to take it out of my mask box that I carry in my roll-on when I fly. It's under 4 oz, but I don't want to hassle with the agents.

 

[Danman589019]

Is it better to use 90% alchohol instead of 70% in the ear rinse? I've been using it for awhile but just got to thinking that maybe the stronger stuff would work better.