Ear infection !!!

[shark_tamer]

Just got back from a Carribean dive vacation with infection in both ears !!!

( Not to rub it in but... ) I go down south diving 4 times a year, and this last happened September 2006, 3 trips ago ...

Is there something I could do to prevent this ????

I was thinking of wearing a hood, or bringing an ear pump to rinse my ears each night !!

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I guess the bright side would be at least it waited until you where home. I flew once (a few years before I started diving) with an ear that would not clear. Thought I was going to Die. Ohh and they won't stop the plane from going up because your ear hurts!

I use commercial swim ear stuff mostly alcohol. Keeps the quarry water from infecting my ears.

 

[Crowley]

couple of drops of alcohol, or vinegar, or any of a number of diving/swimming related ear drops - your LDS should have something suitable in stock, but if not then just some surgical alcohol from the pharmacy will do.

There's always those masks which have ear protectors on them.... forget the manufacturer and model at the moment -will check...

 

[bleeb]

I see from your profile that you're just down river from me.
Several years back, I was given the following advice by some very experienced local DMs. We were talking about local fresh waters (smaller lakes and the St. Lawrence), but I've since applied it everywhere I dive.

Always rinse your ears out with some form of antiseptic cleaner before your ears dry out, particularly when the waters are (relatively) warm and full of algae, bits of plants, dead fish, municipal sewage, agricultural runoff, E.Coli, etc. I try to fill each ear canal for at least 30 sec, almost as soon as get enough gear off (even on dive boats).

You may also be interested in the following: There was some US Navy research a few years back, where they got the incidence of ear infections down to almost zero by filling each ear canal with antiseptic for something like five minutes, at the end of each day of diving. (It was mentioned in an article in DAN's Divers Alert a year or three ago. Sorry, I don't have the exact reference handy.)

 

[HakoFugu]

Hi!

I have a history of ear and sinus infections, especially in my preteen and teenage years. I've also had two occasions where I've come home from dive trips with plugged ears only to have them turn into full-blown infections within a day or so. I've since discovered that all I need to do is put drops in my ears after EVERY dive to clear them out. I've logged about 35 dives since I started using the drops and haven't had a single infection. As I write this, I'm just back from four days of diving with no problems. This probably wouldn't have been possible for me without using the drops.

The drops I'm referring to can be picked up at a drugstore or dive shop. Look for Aurocaine, or Auro-Dri, or any drops for the prevention of swimmer's ear. Also note that the active ingredients for both of the brands I mentioned are 95% isopropyl alcohol and 5% anhydrous glycerin, so you could probably mix a batch yourself to save some cash. I'll probably give that a try. I imagine if you search this board you'll find people who have made their own.

But you really have to be diligent about it. My dive buddies know that the first thing I do after I get my tank off of my back is put the drops in my ears, every time, without fail. The last time I had infections in my ears they were so persistent that it kept me away from the water for about a month!! :11: So I'm really paranoid about it.

Dunno if my situation applies to you or not, but it's certainly worth a try! Good luck!

Joel

 

[wjefferis]

I always use a mixture of vinegar,alcohol, and a little water that I pre-mix in a droper and pour into my ears after a days diving. It keeps them good to go.

 

[sberanek]

I just got a screamin' ear infection in my left ear, went to the doctor, got antibiotic drops, ear is doing better, and now the right ear is feeling left out so it started hurting. I'm really hoping this clears up by this weekend since I missed out on a great day for diving this Sunday.

I've found that Motrin works the best for dulling the pain. I don't know why it works better than Advil or generic Ibuprofen, but it does. The doctor offered me something stronger for the pain, but I told him I thought the left over Vicodin I had from surgery was a little excessive for an ear infection. He said that if I wanted a good night sleep, I could just take half of one.

Stupid ears... I haven't had an ear infection in about 20 years.

--Shannon

 

[Bexny]

Regarding homemade ear drops, can anyone advise on the proportions of vinegar (and type), alcohol, and water? Seems like it would be much cheaper than buying drops from a store. Thanks.

 

[Crowley]

just regular household vinegar will do - although it might be a bit smelly for a while!!

Be warned though that you shouldn't put vinegar or alcohol into your ear if you actually have an infection. If you have an infection, get it cleaned by a doctor, then a short course of antibiotics couple with antibiotic ear drops will clear it right up. Don't let the ear get wet (even in the shower - plug it up) and give it a few days after the infection has cleared before you get back in the water.

Happy hearing,

C.

 

[BeachJunkie]

I'm guessing that the homemade mixture that everyone is describing is the "ear beer" I've heard about? Sounds about the same. Anyone have an actual price on the drops that they sell? I will definately be avoiding infections from the get go if possible.