Ear Infection Party

[Crazy_J]

Ah yes, just back from an extended dive trip....and right ear a bit sore today..a few nodes swollen and a bit sore..the general feeling of the initial onset of an acute ear infection. As such, I have just created my first mixture of Vinegar and Alcohol w/ a smidgen of water (all as I have read about multiple times within this Forum). We will se how well this works, I have an appt w/ an MD Monday to get some Amoxicillin for this bad boy...yuck...as I can't write scripts yet..."working on DO"

Any suggestions gladly welcomed!

Cheers
~Crazy_J
:doctor:

 

[Arnaud]

Don't put anything in your ears until you see an ENT!

Vinegar and alcool are good to remove water and clean a healthy ear only.

 

[DocVikingo]

I'd suggest that you slow down a bit.

If you have otitis externa, your home-brew probably will do little beyond hurt like the devil. Although it occasionally may be recommend along with other treatments for OE, it generally is considered a prophylaxis rather than a treatment. It's use in a sore ear associated with swollen & sore nodes is questionable.

If you have otitis media, the home-brew will not even reach it unless you have a breached tympanum. It you do have the later, application of the home-brew will not only hurt like the devil, but may cause additional problems.

You may or may not get amoxicillin (not capitalized as it is a pharmaceutical compound, not a brand name) when you see a physician. Depends on the offending microorganism. Otitis externa is not infrequently caused by a fungus, against which antibacterials will do nothing.

Even if the infection is bacterial in nature, simple amoxicillin may or may not be prescribed. There is a decent chance that the physician may prescribe Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) or another antimicrobial.

Let us know what happens at your appointment Monday.

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.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Crazy_J]

DocVikingo et Arnaud,

Shortly after posting my original message, and thinking more clearly about using my “Home Brew”, I decided that it may not be such a prudent choice.

Incidentally after a more detailed review of my ear, I found that I had a cast of ear-wax and subsequently removed this blockage. After removing the blockage, I went to the ED where I have done many clinical rotations and had a physician take a peek. The tympanic membrane appeared normal(no inflammation or otherwise), but the canal was somewhat inflamed (infective otitis externa?). After discussing w/ the physician we went w/ a ciprofloxacin and hydrocortisone otic suspension. I will be using this for the next 5 days and will let you know the outcome!

Thanks again for the input, much appreciated!

 

[Texass]

Can you still dive with an outer ear infection? I've heard people say they have and was wondering if it posed any problems other than being uncomfortable.

The fine print seems that their ears were sore to the touch which indicated it was an outer, rather than inner, ear infection. Neither of the 2 folks I was talking to are doctors, but have considerable dive experience.

 

[Rez Manzoori]

At last... other people with the same problems!

A bit of background folks...

1. I'm a newbie to both Diving and this forum... Hi there!

2. Just qualified as a PADI open water diver, and loving it!

Now to the problem... Like Crazy_J I'm struck down with an ear infection... my second in as many dives in fact! Glad you got to the doc Crazy_J and I hope youre course of treatment has worked!

My first infection struck about a month ago after I completed my first two open water dives of the PADI course. I wasn't sure whether it was caused by the water in the pool or the water at Stony Cove but the infection was pretty nasty! my right ear canal swelled up and blocked off completely, the right side of my face ballooned out of all proportions, and the nasty oozing stuff that just kept coming out of my ear!!! eurgh!:wacko:

I eventually went to see my GP and was diagnosed as having Otitis Externa... external ear infection, and was prescribed a course of antibiotics (Fluxocillin...sp?) and an ear spray called Otomize. I can't say the spray did much but the anti-biotics sure helped!

Four weeks later and I was able to complete my last pool session and also my last open water dives to gain my open water qualification!

Of course now I have another ear infection, this time in my left ear! The face is swollen again, and the whole blockage and discharge thing is also back! :wacko: However this time I've gone straight to the Doc who has prescribed another course of Fluxocillin and this time an ointment to apply rather than the Otomize.

Now clearly I don't want to be going though this every time I finish a dive! I've had a scan through this forum and read most of the messages regarding ear problems, and from what I can see these are my options:

1. Get a ProEar2000 mask
2. Get some ProPlugs
3. Quit diving (not an option I favour!)

Are there any other options available to me? Anything I can do to prevent the ear infections without a new mask or plugs? Are there any disadvantages with either the ProEar2000 system of the Pro-Plugs?

Thanks in advance!

Rez

 

[Diver Lori]

Rez.....scroll up to read Doc Vikingo's statement about an alcohol/vinegar solution being a preventitive and not a cure. I use this solution frequently during dive vacations and have not had swimmer's ear in that time. Before alcohol/vinegar? You betcha!

 

[Arnaud]

GM, you need to see an ENT and have your ears looked at in greater details.

 

[Rez Manzoori]

Diver Lori,

Thanks for the tip! I had read the same in another thread and misinterpreted what it was going to do for me but reading Doc Vikingo's post again, I think I might just give it a try... unless Santa brings me one of those nice ProEar2000 masks!

Arnaud,

GM?

Cheers!

Rez

 

[Arnaud]

Rez Manzoori once bubbled...
...Arnaud,...GM?

I meant RM...