How long before diving after "otitis externa" ear infection?

[Scubaroo]

Question for the doctors on board:

I've been unlucky enough to pick up an outer ear infection in both ears after swimming in river water while camping - I've never had ear problems before, so I didn't pay attention to drying them carefully, and apparently there were some bugs in the water. I've been to an ENT, who has put me on a course of antibiotics, and when I asked about how long it would be before I could dive again, he wasn't entirely sure.

So how long after symptoms abate can I go diving again? I'm not planning to dive for another two weeks, if symptoms disappear within that time, should I be okay, or should I wait longer?

 

[DocVikingo]

Given appropriate treatment, routine otitis externa infections are typically expected to respond completely within the time frame outlined.

If it is the diver's impression that the condition has entirely resolved, then a call to his or her treating physician to seek clearance to dive would be appropriate. If it has not resolved, then a call is also appropriate, but for additional treatment.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such. If you have concerns about you doctor's advice, you may request referral to an ENT with knowledge of diving medicine.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[ScubaJorgen]

You can use acid ear drops before or after the dive to prevent otitis externa, also called swimmers ear. (Be sure to wait till your bad days are over right now)

I've got the stuff on doctors prescription, but you can also buy it in the drugstore (at least here in The Netherlands). I think there are a couple of threads on this board on how to brew your own, however...

Normally your external ear is bit acid, preventing fungi, mushrooms, etc. By swimming/diving your inner ear may get basic (? opposite of acid). Bugs and critters now start to rock-and-roll. Keeping your ears acid with the drops should prevent this.

I would not try to dry your ear canal. Remember, you are allowed to put anything in your ear as long as it is your elbow!

 

[DocVikingo]

As ScubaJorgen has raised the topic, some home brews & commercial products for swimmer's ear contain alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These will dissolve the cerumen (ear wax) in the external auditory canal and possibly be excessively drying, leaving the canal prone to infection. IMHO, neither are essential to the mix or even desirable. A mix of 75% distilled water & 25% vinegar should be sufficient to tip the pH balance in the desired direction.

You also might want to try placing a few drops of mineral oil or lanolin into a dry ear canal before each dive to see if that helps.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[ScubaJorgen]

Gee. That shouldn't be sold as 'Swimmers ear' stuff.

I once tried to rinse away an otitis externa using 3% H2O2. That burned away my ear canal :bonk:. My GP told me that was a creative solution but he would not advise that. That was a politically correct answer of my GP. I would not advise H2O2 for ears....

 

[diver1910]

I am a new diver. I have had ear problems all my life. I was hesitant in getting certified, but my husband loves it so basically got certified for him. Now I am doing it for me. I did my research before I got certified, and decided to buy the Dr. ProPlugs. They work wonders, and I have had no problems at all. This if coming from someone who always has ear problems. I recommend them, and even my husband, who has been diving for a couple of years, and got swimmers ear, tried them, and it has helped a lot.
Just my two cents!

LJ

 

[GreatInca]

I have an ear canal infection. Went to urgent care facility (regular doctor has 1-2 week average appointment wait time). They say 2-3 days for start of improvement. I was 24hours for me, but I learned that Its best to used the drops at bedtime so you can give it all the time it needs (usually 10-20 min) to seep into the closed-tight ear canal. Then it hurts and desentizes over 1/2 hour, you got them drugs trapped and swishing for a few hours keep the infected ear pointed up and head pointed so liquid are swishing over the epicenter of pain the most). I don't bother with the morning dose. It just drips out unless I can give it the time to seep in past the blockage.

Someobdy else who gets ear inefections regular says it usually takes 7 days for an infected ear to open up again.

Oh yeah 3 drops (as in directions) is all you need. Anything more will just drip out and waste that very very expensive prescription ($30 w/ ins, $92 w/o, no generic avail at least at wallgreens)

 

[DocVikingo]

Despite the fact that the medication is expensive & much of the morning dose seems to leak out, not using it as prescribed is not prudent. Speak with your physician about how s/he would like you handle this situation.

Best regards.

DocVikingo