Ear infection !!!

[DandyDon]

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

Ok - my intent was to offer good, general, preventions as understood from your article. I guess you mean that since I didn't know which kind of ear infection he had, that my preventive suggestions may not have helped?

For anyone who may have skipped it above, do read DocV very informative article here

 

[DocVikingo]

Doc Vikingo and Tracydr, I read a German dive doctor's recommendation (not sure of the book title now) which said to leave your ears alone. Do nothing to them if you're diving frequently. I took this advice and it worked for me but I can't say it would be good for everyone. Do our ears have enough protective devices in their design to ward off infections of fungus and bacteria? Does the daily cleaning with Q tips make us more susceptible to infections if we swim or dive?

Hi Hank,

You raise a good point.

The ear has a pretty impressive cleansing and lubricating system called cerumen, or more commonly, ear wax. This substance also has antibacterial and antifungal activity, although it is far from fully protective against all pathogens. For this reason, divers and others with ears that remain too moist can and do develop infections of the external auditory canal.

You are correct that removing too much cerumen is not desirable and can leave the ear canal dry and vulnerable to infection. Using preventative ear drops that contain too much alcohol is one good way of removing too much.

However, properly formulated preventative ear solutions typically are an effective and medically legitimate method of prophylaxis in divers who find themselves getting regular bouts of swimmer's ear.

As for cotton buds like Q-Tips, the main concern isn't with removing too much cerumen, but rather driving the wax deep into the ear where it can obstruct the canal. Then one does have problems. Such devices also can abrade the ear canal, again leaving it prone to infection. If used very carelessly, they can even damage the eardrum.

I think you'll find much of this explained in the DAN article linked above.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Hank49]

Hi Hank,

You raise a good point.

The ear has a pretty impressive cleansing and lubricating system called cerumen, or more commonly, ear wax. This substance also has antibacterial and antifungal activity, although it is far from fully protective against all pathogens. For this reason, divers and others with ears that remain too moist can and do develop infections of the external auditory canal.

You are correct that removing too much cerumen is not desirable and can leave the ear canal dry and vulnerable to infection. Using preventative ear drops that contain too much alcohol is one good way of removing too much.

However, properly formulated preventative ear solutions typically are an effective and medically legitimate method of prophylaxis in divers who find themselves getting regular bouts of swimmer's ear.

As for cotton buds like Q-Tips, the main concern isn't with removing too much cerumen, but rather driving the wax deep into the ear where it can obstruct the canal. Then one does have problems. Such devices also can abrade the ear canal, again leaving it prone to infection. If used very carelessly, they can even damage the eardrum.

I think you'll find much of this explained in the DAN article linked above.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

That's a good article. Thank you. One question it doesn't address though: how does one safely remove the socially unacceptable, unsightly ear wax buildup? It seems that Q Tips are the most common method but not recommended by doctors, for the reasons you just stated.
When I'm diving every day, and I don't recommend this to anyone, I use a moistened, flattened toothpick to gently remove anything outside the "pain" area that begins if you reach in too far. I know my own ears after all these years and it works for me. I'm sure this isn't recommended by our good doctors though....so what is the best way?

 

[shark_tamer]

One question it doesn't address though: how does one safely remove the socially unacceptable, unsightly ear wax buildup? It seems that Q Tips are the most common method but not recommended by doctors, for the reasons you just stated.

Thanks all for your responses.

To Hank49,

Before I took up diving, I used to have wax build up in either one of both ears whenever I when swimming/snorkeling. The type that really blocks the ears so you basically do not hear a thing !!! As stated in my op, I do own an ear pump ( this is how the doctor at the clinic unblocked my ear the first time ) and the way to remove wax build up is to add luke warm water into the pump and inject the solution into the ear canal ( Flush away the blockage ).

Repeat the procedure until the ear is cleared .... you will see jellowish water at the bottom of the sink when the ear clears, and even sometimes pieces of wax !!!

Be carefull not to use too hot water ... the ear canal is very sensitive !!!!

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Hank,

Shark-Tamer has presented an excellent technique to begin with. If that approach does not prove satisfactory, one can try a product such as Debrox (http://www.debrox.com/).

Such irrigation usually needs to be performed only infrequently.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[tracydr]

Doc Vikingo and Tracydr, I read a German dive doctor's recommendation (not sure of the book title now) which said to leave your ears alone. Do nothing to them if you're diving frequently. I took this advice and it worked for me but I can't say it would be good for everyone. Do our ears have enough protective devices in their design to ward off infections of fungus and bacteria? Does the daily cleaning with Q tips make us more susceptible to infections if we swim or dive?

We have normal flora in the ears. Problem is, it gets disrupted by the change in environment when swimming/diving. Q-tips do put you more at risk because you can cause mild trauma which can give the bugs a place to take off. (q-tips are made for cosmetics, not ears!!)
If anyone has had a yeast infection following antibiotics they will understand the importance of normal flora.

 

[tracydr]

Yes, PramOtic ear drops. And of course, you can request a generic equivalent. (although my local pharmacy did not have the generic)
That's what I like about it, antifungal and antibiotic. Plus, prophylactic indication is great for divers and swimmers.