Ear infections?

[RobinG]

What do you think? It sounds reasonable but I just wanted a few second opinions.

it happens in salt water too. Did she treat you for the infection? Get that treated first.

A diving doc told me years ago to NOT use alcohol/vinegar solutions. He prescribed Domeboro's Otic. 5 minutes per ear post diving, no cheating on times.

Current doc says use 50/50 white vinegar and distilled water, same 5 minute rule. Alcohol screws up the Ph balance in your ears.

If I don't use Domeboro's, I can do about 2 days diving on a liveaboard. With it, I can do 9-10 days.

Robin

 

[Hank49]

it happens in salt water too. Did she treat you for the infection? Get that treated first.

A diving doc told me years ago to NOT use alcohol/vinegar solutions. He prescribed Domeboro's Otic. 5 minutes per ear post diving, no cheating on times.

Current doc says use 50/50 white vinegar and distilled water, same 5 minute rule. Alcohol screws up the Ph balance in your ears.

If I don't use Domeboro's, I can do about 2 days diving on a liveaboard. With it, I can do 9-10 days.Robin

I had a German translate a diving medicine book a few years ago. This doctor said that if you're diving every day, do NOTHING to your ears. Most people use Q Tips or something similar to clean ears daily. This wipes off the protective oily coating that your ear produces to protect itself. Anyway, I took the advice after two bouts of swimmer's ear in two months. I have never had it again. If I am going to do multi dive days, (I don't now) I stop cleaning my ears for a week before the dives. Maybe use a moist, flat tooth pick once every few days. But all these vinegars, peroxide...I saw a lot of divers try it to no avail. Hank

 

[mindseye20]

I was unlucky enough to pick up a bad ear infection while diving in the Bahamas in salt water and had them surgically drained this past Monday and had tubes put in which is going to limit how much diving I can do over the next few months. I was given a prescription for antibiotic ear drops (Ciprodex) to help clear up my current infection and to use for 5-6 days after any upcoming diving trips to prevent another infection.

If your fiances ears are not totally healthy for a while before leaving on your trip I would recommend talking to your doctor or an ENT to ask about getting antibiotic eardrops for use during and after the trip.

 

[Pontius]

Like I said, I have grown up with my dad teaching diving. I found out at an early age that you need to put some swimmers ear into your ear or you run a high risk of getting an ear infection. I know that swimmers ear can be expensive or hard to get sometimes if you forget it, so my dad used to use an alternative at times. His method was 80% rubbing alcohol and 20% white vinegar. This works pretty well when you are in a bind. So, keep your ears in good shape and good diving!!!