I've got a problem

[kckskh]

Hi people, just went for a diving course whic involved ship hull search. It was sort of a finale to my course and the dive profile was conservative. Went to a max of 6.6m and the whole dive was only 8mins. However, i have this bad pain in my right ear after the dive though i did not experience difficulty clearing my ears. I suspect its type 1 baratrauma and wonder whether i should give the doc a visit. Any recommendations? It hurts pretty badly and i did the dive 2 days back.

 

[Dive-aholic]

It may be nothing more than you cleared too hard and have water in your ear. But if you're still having pain 2 days later, go to the doctor. Even having sea water in your ear can have bad results - ear infection. Definitely worth having checked out. Have you taken anything for the pain? Anti inflammatory?

 

[MoonWrasse]

The sea is a septic environment, and your ear may now be a petri dish.

Is you ear pussing? Fluid discharge? Blood? Pain around the area when touched?
You may have an ear infection. Avoid qtips, and ear drops right now.

If the pain is mild, try putting hot packs on it. Keep it dry with toilet paper (my favorite, absorbs very well).

If the pain is sharp or severe or coninues, go see a doctor.

6.6 meters isn't very deep.

 

[Mako Mark]

if it has been a couple of days now, I would definately go see your doc..

 

[wcl]

Doctor is prescribed. Any number of things can be wrong, from barotrauma to infections. DAN can refer you to an ENT in your area familiar with diving medicine, if your regular physicians don't obviously see what the issue is.

You should not dive until you understand the issue, since it could be mild or it could be something that will cause permanent damage if aggravated or reinjured.

Good luck,
Walter

 

[Deano2]

Hi people, just went for a diving course whic involved ship hull search. It was sort of a finale to my course and the dive profile was conservative. Went to a max of 6.6m and the whole dive was only 8mins. However, i have this bad pain in my right ear after the dive though i did not experience difficulty clearing my ears. I suspect its type 1 baratrauma and wonder whether i should give the doc a visit. Any recommendations? It hurts pretty badly and i did the dive 2 days back.

Definitely have it checked out. Your doctor should know something and if he/she knows anything about diving they can tell you. I had a similiar problem and a solution of acetic acid did the trick but you never know....have it checked out or it could be end of your dive career or at least a long hyiatous (sp) if you dive again with a barotrauma.

 

[siebharinn]

It may be nothing more than you cleared too hard and have water in your ear.

How can you get water in your ear apart from perforating the eardrum? I thought the TM is sealed across the ear canal.