ear discomfort

[shark.byte.usa]

Last night I started to have some minor ear discomfort. The last time I was diving was Saturday morning, so 3 1/2 days later. It feels more like a itch and dull feeling. I've never in my life had any ear issues and I've participated in a lot of water sports. I can clear the ear no problem and don't recall having any difficulty on Saturday. I gave it a thorough cleaning last night [no Q-tips] with a OTC wax removal drops and flush with some warm water per the directions, during the day today it seemed fine and is now starting to have the itchy feeling again, I think it may be swimmer's ear.

I have my son and I booked on a dive boat to Catalina on Saturday and without time to go to the Doc beforehand, if it's even necessary, looking for advice; I've read some home remedies on here alcohol/vinegar/[and ?, up for debate] but are those just preventative?

I would have thought if it was anything serious it would hurt and I would have felt something far sooner than 3 1/2 days later.

Thanks,
Garrett

 

[Quarrior]

It's called diver's ear. Very common. Basically, water softens up the inside of the ear canal and bacteria that are natural to the ear canal starts to irritate it.

There are two meds you need for it. Ear drops (letters on the label are to small for me to read, sorry) to clear up the infection and Acetic acid 2% in Otic Solution as a pre-dive and post dive soak.

Use the soak for 5 min in each each before the first dive of the day. After the last dive of the day, repeat. The soak kills off those nasty little bacteria.

 

[hugedodge2000]

It sux huuu!!!!!I have it right now. It'll get worse. Get some ear drops!!!!

 

[neophyte]

I went through EXACTLY the same thing a few months ago. Clearing fine means nothing and nothing short of antibiotics will help.

Learn from my mistake. Don't wait until it becomes unbearable to make an appointment with a doctor to get a prescription.

It WILL become unbearable, and even if you can get in to see the Dr. right away the antibiotics'll still take a couple of days to kick in and start providing some relief.

That's several days of awfully close to unbearable symptoms: PAIN, dizziness, weird sounds and PAIN. Did I mention PAIN?

Call first thing in the morning.

Good luck.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi shark.byte.usa,

While a definitive diagnosis cannot be made at this time, your history and symptoms appear quite consistent with otitis externa (OE), aka an infection of the external auditory canal. This sometimes is referred to as "swimmer's ear."

BTW, to the best of my knowledge there is no recognized diagnosis called "diver's ear," nor are dizziness and "weird sounds" typical of OE. Dizziness/vertigo and tinnitus are more commonly seen in otitis media, aka an infection of the middle ear.

In any event, if the discomfort gets worse when the ear moves while you're chewing or otherwise moving your jaw, or when pulling or pushing the outer ear, then OE seems likely. Also, with OE discharge from the ear may develop.

As to drugs that may be helpful, it depends upon what organism is responsible for the infection. Prescription antibiotic-corticosteroid drops (e.g., Cipro HC, Ciprodex, Otocort) often prove very useful if the OE is caused by a bacterial infection. In serious bacterial cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed as well. However, some cases of OE are fungal in nature. In fungal infections, other agents are indicated. Antibiotics will not only be of no use, but can make matters worse.

In the early stages of OE, careful cleaning of the ear canal (as you have done) and the use of eardrops that inhibit the growth of pernicious microorganisms may be beneficial. Mild solutions of boric and/or acetic acids, sometimes also containing drying and anti-inflammatory agents, often are effective. Your physician or pharmacist can recommend various products, both OTC and prescription.

A well-established and fulminant case of OE will require more aggressive treatment.

There also is the matter of prevention of otitis externa, a topic which has been discussed at length many times on this board and can be found by doing a search.

Best of luck and please let us know how the condition resolves. In the meantime, the wisdom of returning to scuba is questionable.

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

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Quarrior]

diver's ear, my bad. I meant swimmer's ear.

 

[shark.byte.usa]

Update: Not any better, cancelled my dives on Saturday, going to the Doc tomorrow and yes it suxs!

Garrett

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Garrett,

Wise move.

Best of luck,

DocVikingo

 

[laserdoc]

Is there a way to make some drops instead of getting a scrip. At least before it happens

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi laserdoc,

You might find the following informative:

Preventing Swimmer's Ear
http://www.awoosh.com/Doc Vikingo's Resource Page/Preventing Swimmer's Ear.htm

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