Earaches... do these clear up without medicine?

[DandyDon]

I often think I know what you and DocV are going to say when I see someone post about what must be "swimmers ear" infection, but I am trying to resist that for several good reasons...

In general, I'd be willing to say that once infection has gotten a hold on you ANYWHERE, it is highly advisable to treat it. (There are a few exceptions, especially in the case of things like middle ear infections in children, where many are viral and will resolve spontaneously.) Although the immune system may triumph in the end, the course will be longer and the tissue damage done greater; in addition, any nidus of infection can seed other body sites, or break through into the blood and cause serious systemic illness (although ear infections don't commonly do this -- But in the days before antibiotics, meningitis and mastoiditis were not rare complications of otitis).

If one is fairly certain that a bacterial infection exists, seeing a physician promptly is indicated. This is one of the things I NEVER get irritated about seeing in the ER. Early antibiotic therapy, where it is indicated, minimizes the duration of illness and avoids complications.

My dive bud's GF is just getting over a scary episode that went on for a couple of weeks, generally ill, veritgo, etc and eye spasms or jerking?! I'm trying to repeat the vague info he sorta conveyed (could have this all wrong? :dunce: ) but I think it started with sinus and ear problems. Said they didn't really have a treatment; just wait it out. Gawd I am so glad we don't have to do that with "swimmers ear" infections, even tho I have become much better at preventing them using the alcohol/vinegar mix.

I swam a lot off an on for nearly 40 years with no ear problems, often diving to the 10 ft level to swim along the bottom, snorkeling & free in lakes and the sea, never had any ear problems, equalized easily free diving, on my resort course, OW training and almost always since. I suspect that my ease in equalizing could be in part genetically larger E-tubes, as well as decades of allergies and nose blowing along with daily antihistamines and decongestants - maybe? What surprised me is how prone I became to ear infections with scuba in my 50s, having not had any before no matter how water logged my ears felt. Simple aging and associated body changes...?