Ear Problem

[prskate2]

All of the sudden when I woke up one morning my ear felt like it had water in it or something. The day before I was snorkeling and in the pool like all day. Did I didn't feel anything the day before. It has been like this for a few days. I think it might be water I am not sure. I can still clear my ears fine though. I want to dive this weekend. Any suggestions?

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi prskate2,

Is the sensation of water in the outer or middle ear?

Are there any other symptoms?

Have you ever previously experienced this sensation?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[prskate2]

I am pretty sure it is on the middle to inner ear. No other symptoms. It just fells funny.. Yes, I have experienced this before. I was diving in Panama and I think the water was dirty. I may have gotten this from dirty pool water. Not sure though.

 

[DandyDon]

I am pretty sure it is on the middle to inner ear. No other symptoms. It just fells funny.. Yes, I have experienced this before. I was diving in Panama and I think the water was dirty. I may have gotten this from dirty pool water. Not sure though.

While you're waiting on a reply from DocV or one of the other physicians, from my personal experience - I used to get those when I forgot to use alcohol-vinegar mix after diving, shortly before I developed a horrible ear ache from "Swimmers ear." The last one was horrible, so I don't forget anymore.

• Did you use such after getting your ear wet...?
  
• Did you have any equalizing challenges that could have caused a barotrauma...?

 

[prskate2]

I started to use swimmers ear about a day after this. No, I did not have an equalizing problems. My ear seems better but still not completely right. I really don't know what it is?!

 

[DandyDon]

Again, I am no professional at this, just commenting from my personal experiences which may even be unique to me: You screwed up when you waited a day.

See: Swimmer's ear - MayoClinic.com click links for different parts of article. Your body's immune system might beat this one without a trip to a doctor; if not, then antibiotics and ear drops may be precribed by one.

 

[TSandM]

prskate, did you do any free diving? If not, and you were simply in the water on the surface, then we can rule out barotrauma and middle ear fluid as a result. Which really doesn't leave a lot of possibilities -- external otitis, or swimmer's ear, causes swelling of the external canal which can trap fluid, but to get that much swelling, the condition is quite painful. I suppose it is remotely possible that you have trapped some water behind a bunch of cerumen (wax) that you can't get out; a quick exam with an otoscope should be able to confirm that, and cerumen dissolvers are available OTC.

If this peculiar sensation has persisted for several days, it's probably worth getting somebody to take a look at your ear.

 

[prskate2]

Well.. thanks for the help everyone. It's gone. I stopped using "Swimmers Ear" for a day and I feel much better. In fact, I will be diving this weekend.

 

[DandyDon]

"Swimmers Ear" is the name of the problem aka external otitis as explained by TSandM as well as the name of a product sold to prevent it. Main ingredient is alcohol with a little glycerin I think.

A better treatment is alcohol and vinegar, with 1/3 alcohol, 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 sterile water often suggested, treating each ear for 5 minute after diving. I come close to that with 1/2 - 70% alcohol and 1/2 vinegar, kept in my mask box and bathroom bag to be used after each dive and shower altho I'm not patient enough to let it soak - it works for me. I have actually poured out the contents of a "Swimmers Ear" bottle to replace it with the mix some call "ear beer." It's virtually free and has a shelf life of about a month. You need a small funnel and a spoon of any size.

Prevention is so much better than the cure.

 

[prskate2]

Thanks for that. If I were to dive with this would it cause any damage? Just incase it isn't gone but it feels like it is.