Ear infection !!!

[Joe-Diver]

Yeah...Ear Beer....it's what I use. Got a screaming fungus back in May because I wasn't diligent about rinsing after each dive. My ENT said: just mix 50/50 isopropyl and household vinegar....use 70% isopropyl instead of the 90%....keep it in a little squeeze bottle and use it after every dive. The alcohol cleans and displaces the water, the vinegar creates and acidic environment the fungus can't live in.

My ears smell like a salad but I don't have issues anymore....

 

[Ann Marie]

I used to get external ear infections often. I finally had a doctor that recommended putting the drops (50/50 mixture) in before AND after the dive. Since then, I haven't had a problem in ages.

I also keep a small bottle of the mixture in my nightstand so that at night after diving, I can put some drops in for 5 minutes on each side.

Bleeb, I read that article in the DAN magazine too. It mentioned putting in the drops 5 minutes before the dive too, but who really has time for that? I just normally put some in and then let it sit for as long as I have patience for.

 

[DandyDon]

I think DocVikingo suggests equal parts alcohol, water, vinegar, water - and this mix seems to get close enough to that, what I use: "My ENT said: just mix 50/50 isopropyl and household vinegar....use 70% isopropyl instead of the 90%....keep it in a little squeeze bottle and use it after every dive. The alcohol cleans and displaces the water, the vinegar creates and acidic environment the fungus can't live in."

The mix is good for about a month before the acid breaks down too much. I use it before the first dive when I remember, after every dive, and after every shower on a dive trip.

Some will suggest hydrogen peroxide also be added; totally ignore that. The H2O2 is not good for your ears when fresh, then breaks down to water quickly diluting the above. Don't know why this suggestion persists...? :no

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Shark Tamer,

You haven't yet reported what type of ear infection you have, i.e., middle (otitis media) or external (otitis externa) ear infection. Yet, you've received all manner of treatment suggestions in the absence of a definitive diagnosis. This is not how matters proceed in medicine, diving or otherwise.

Given that both ears are affected, involvement of the external auditory canal seems most probable, but in any event you may wish to read "Preventing Swimmer's Ear" in the Mar/Apr '07 issueof DAN's Alert Diver magazine. If you do not get this publication, it also can be found at http://www.awoosh.com/DocVikingo/Preventing_Swimmers_Ear.htm. It will assist you in making the diagnosis and provides extensive coverage of the prevention and treatment of otitis externa. It also will help you avoid using inappropriate ear solutions, such as some recommended in this thread which contain excessive amounts of alcohol.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Some will suggest hydrogen peroxide also be added; totally ignore that. The H2O2 is not good for your ears when fresh, then breaks down to water quickly diluting the above. Don't know why this suggestion persists...?

Hey Don,

It persists because posters without a solid, or often even rudimentary, grounding in diving medicine have no reservations about giving medical advice, including advice that may be harmful.

Hope that you are well.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DandyDon]

Hey Don,

It persists because posters without a solid, or often even rudimentary, grounding in diving medicine have no reservations about giving medical advice, including advice that may be harmful.

Hope that you are well.

Regards,

DocVikingo

Thanks, you too, sir. You always bring so much to this forum...!

I appreciate that none of us should be giving medical advice here, especially with my lack of medical qualifications. My post was to his question of "Is there something I could do to prevent this ????" What do to after one gets an infection is certainly a totally different deal. I thot the other postings were along the preventive route, unless I missed somethig.

best regards!

 

[Joe-Diver]

I thot the other postings were along the preventive route, unless I missed somethig.

I think that's what they were for....mine certainly was.

 

[shark_tamer]

Hi Shark Tamer,

You haven't yet reported what type of ear infection you have, i.e., middle (otitis media) or external (otitis externa) ear infection. Yet, you've received all manner of treatment suggestions in the absence of a definitive diagnosis. This is not how matters proceed in medicine, diving or otherwise.

Regards,

DocVikingo

Hey DocV..

Right ear as inner infection and left one, external infection.

Was prescribed oral antibiotics for inner infection and antibiotic drop for external infection.

Thanks for your concern.

What I am really looking for is prevention ... would hate to have to go to the clinic after each dive vacation !!!!

 

[DocVikingo]

Hey shark_tamer,

One from Column A and one from Column B, eh? The double whammy.

In any event, sounds like you're on a proper plan of treatment.

Heal quickly.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Don and Joe-Diver,

I, too, read your posts as suggestions for prevention. However, since neither of you, or the others who replied, had a diagnosis, how could you offer meaningful recommendations?

If shark_tamer in fact was contracting external ear infections (otitis externa/swimmer's ear), then your ideas may proven helpful. But, if he was getting middle ear infections (otitis media), then alcohol and vinegar mixes placed in the external auditory canal would have no prophylactic effects.

After your posts were already up, shark-tamer reported that he seems to have gotten one of each type of infection.

See the point?

Regards,

DocVikingo