Hi
I've posted here before about recurrent otitis externa and got some helpful ideas...
However, am just back from a diving holiday with a rip-roaring otitis externa. I'm not using vosol as a preventor currently as it irritates my ears. I do have the 'ear dryer' and use that. I also use almond oil with hydrocortisone drops. Also 'ear shield' when diving. I wear a hood.
Toward the end of my holiday my ears were a little sore (outer ear) so started sofradex. Over the 24 hours of travelling home right ear became very sore.
Very sore, using paracetamol, neurofen and codiene. Associated lymphadenopathy.
Saw GP who gave me ciprofloxacin ear drops plus oral. (asked GP to 'nuke it' as planning on diving again in a few weeks). GP commented on exostosis of ear (not been commented on previously). Swab pending.
Still very sore so threw myself at the mercy of a friendly ENT registrar (I am a doctor working this weekend..) who microsuctioned ears, said both infected but noted exostosis of right ear. Neither he nor GP could visualise ear drum. He suggested seeing ENT surgeon to discuss getting exostosis removed as an elective procedure.
Question is really regarding any knowledgable opinions re getting exostosis removed and consequence that would have on future diving and would it be impacting on the recurrent otitis externa? My google search suggests exostosis more related to cold water and I have been doing more cold water diving recently.
I will see an ENT surgeon regardless (ie not just use scubaboard for medical advice) but have often found non diving doctors have limited appreciation / knowledge of issues specific to diving....
Thanks
I've posted here before about recurrent otitis externa and got some helpful ideas...
However, am just back from a diving holiday with a rip-roaring otitis externa. I'm not using vosol as a preventor currently as it irritates my ears. I do have the 'ear dryer' and use that. I also use almond oil with hydrocortisone drops. Also 'ear shield' when diving. I wear a hood.
Toward the end of my holiday my ears were a little sore (outer ear) so started sofradex. Over the 24 hours of travelling home right ear became very sore.
Very sore, using paracetamol, neurofen and codiene. Associated lymphadenopathy.
Saw GP who gave me ciprofloxacin ear drops plus oral. (asked GP to 'nuke it' as planning on diving again in a few weeks). GP commented on exostosis of ear (not been commented on previously). Swab pending.
Still very sore so threw myself at the mercy of a friendly ENT registrar (I am a doctor working this weekend..) who microsuctioned ears, said both infected but noted exostosis of right ear. Neither he nor GP could visualise ear drum. He suggested seeing ENT surgeon to discuss getting exostosis removed as an elective procedure.
Question is really regarding any knowledgable opinions re getting exostosis removed and consequence that would have on future diving and would it be impacting on the recurrent otitis externa? My google search suggests exostosis more related to cold water and I have been doing more cold water diving recently.
I will see an ENT surgeon regardless (ie not just use scubaboard for medical advice) but have often found non diving doctors have limited appreciation / knowledge of issues specific to diving....
Thanks
