Help, I'm prone to swimmers ear and can't use alcohol

[don Francisco]

Stupid question, do you or did you put things, maybe Q-tips, in your ear? I ask because if your ear canal has scratches in it or was otherwise already inflamed, possibly from the infection or the ear exam, the alcohol would burn just the same as if you poured it on an open cut. Otherwise, as Web Monkey pointed out, alcohol in your ear canal doesn't normally burn.

That said, I prefer vinegar, diluted up to half with water, as my "swimmers ear". I use it every few days when diving and it does a good job preventing ear canal infections, without the drying effect of alcohol which leaves my ear itchy. If you add alcohol as a drying try also adding up to 5% glycerin which helps prevent the itch.

BTW- for some reason, I find pool water more irritating to my ears than sea water.

 

[Jayde323]

I have started using an Ear Dryer. No drops, just warm air. Works great and I can use it as many times as I need (no overdosing). It is rechargeable and small enough that I can fit it in with my personal stuff when I go diving and use it right after. It is a little pricy ($99), but less expensive than multiple trips to the Dr. and a lot less hassle. Here is a link, if you search around you may be able to find it a little cheaper (Oh, the same dryer is sold under several brand names, so do a little searching).

TRIDENT Dry Ear Sahara Ear Dryer

 

[dpbishop]

Try these: Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection They keep the water out but allow you to equalize your ears. An ENT told me to quit surfing 35 years ago because of surfer's ear, Pro Plugs kept me in the water.

 

[SkipperJohn]

I've had issues all my life. well before I learned how to dive the simple act of using headphones would give me an ear infection. Even prolonged phone use. I never not heard my doctor say: "Do you know you have an ear infection?" Until recently...My solution was at the first sign of trouble a little peroxide. This clears up the infection pronto. Also, at least for me, allow plenty of air to get to your ears when not in the water. If you use any sort of MP3 player, cut down on it's use and make sure you clean those ear buds regularly! I use the alcohol/vinegar thing after swimming and am problem free.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

I strongly suggest you consult an Ear, Nose, Throat clinic.

 

[Eastbayfe]

Years ago I used to have ear problems and someone at the beach recommended Hydrogen Peroxide. Worked for me.

 

[bleeb]

Years ago I used to have ear problems and someone at the beach recommended Hydrogen Peroxide. Worked for me.

You might want to browse through the Dive Medicine forum. It seems like most doctors now recommend against using hydrogen peroxide.

Actually, this whole thread really belongs in Dive Medicine. It'd be more likely to get the attention of knowledgeable specialists there. The OP can ask a mod to move it, if they want.

 

[tfsails]

I've had swimmer's ear more since I started diving than I ever did as a competitive swimmer back in the '60s. I read somewhere that a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol is pretty much a definite prophylaxis for it, and it's cheap! I tried it, and since starting have not had even the first hint of Otitis Externa. I use it at the end of the diving day, and am more diligent about using it in fresh water than in salt water.

One caveat: the article I read said to keep each ear full of this solution for five full minutes. I have never done that, usually because I don't feel like lying down immediately after a dive, and still I've not had any recurrences.

I'd suggest trying this mix after seeing your Otologist and making sure your ear canals don't harbor any contraindications for this stuff.

 

[spt29970]

If memory serves me, you are thinking of an article in DAN's Alert Dive magazine sometime last year. Their finding was that Otic solution (with Boric acid) was the only truly effective prevention of ear infections, and yes the divers had to leave it in the ear for 5 minutes at a time.

I use swim ear as a drying agent and haven't have any problems. I keep thinking that if alcohol is causing burning pain, there is something else going on and the OP should visit their ENT to find out what.

 

[spt29970]

I found the article on the DAN site. Here is the link (I guess my memory isn't so bad after all!)

DAN Divers Alert Network : Can You Prevent Otitis Externa, or Swimmers Ear?