Olive oil in ears, pre-dive?

[fisherdvm]

Olive oil is an additive to fungal culture medium to grow Malassezia furfur, a yeast that causes ear infection, seborrheic dermatitis, and tinea versicolor in human. This organism is extremely hard to grow, until you cover the culture with a thin layer of olive oil.

Because of this, I do not recommend olive oil as an ear drop. Lanolin (sheep's sebum) has properties like human skin oil, and likely will prevent the growth of fungus, rather than promoting it.

The healthy effect of olive oil would be fine if you ate it, not bathing in it. I guess the same goes for fish oil - good for you on the inside, as long as you don't burp it up on a date.

 

[vladimir]

Interesting Doc, but there are those that say the natural anti-oxidants and enzymes contained in virgin olive oil are actually what make it PREFERABLE to baby oil!

Look at the "Mediterranean Diet" and it's basis, then the incidence of heart attack and stroke!

Curious....

This is true, olive oil is preferable. After dripping it into your ear canals, saute for 15 minutes over a low flame to bring out the best flavor and reap the full anti-oxidant benefits.

 

[vladimir]

My sister is an MD, and has worked for the WHO, done research for the CDC and also testifies at many Medical Ethics and Professional Medical Organizations--and even she KNOWS that there is no ONE "authority" on anything in the field of medicine, including Dive/Baro Medicine. Anybody who believes otherwise is simply foolish.

Ask your sister if the WHO and CDC recommend eating food or applying it externally. Or do they just take some things for granted?

 

[tridacna]

Hi HB,

Lanolin or baby oil are in fact preferable both in terms of cost and stability of the substance.

Regards,

DocVikingo

What is the benefit of any of these fats in your ear pre-dive? I think that was the question. Now I'm curious.

 

[Harley1962]

Olive oil is an additive to fungal culture medium to grow Malassezia furfur, a yeast that causes ear infection, seborrheic dermatitis, and tinea versicolor in human. This organism is extremely hard to grow, until you cover the culture with a thin layer of olive oil.

Because of this, I do not recommend olive oil as an ear drop. Lanolin (sheep's sebum) has properties like human skin oil, and likely will prevent the growth of fungus, rather than promoting it.

The healthy effect of olive oil would be fine if you ate it, not bathing in it. I guess the same goes for fish oil - good for you on the inside, as long as you don't burp it up on a date.

THANK YOU, DVM! That is the type of response I was looking for! Just let me confirm that your theory applies to humans as well as animals and that will provide all the info. I need. Will check with local Pathologist and report back, but based on your response I shall start my pre-dive regimen with something other than olive-based oils.

 

[DandyDon]

Ok Harley - thanks for the clarification on your views, altho I really read the article differently, "olive oil: maybe good to eat, doesn't prove anything." Thanks to Fisher for the facts, and to Vlad for the chuckles. :lol2:

What is the benefit of any of these fats in your ear pre-dive? I think that was the question. Now I'm curious.

Me, too, still. Perhaps more beneficial to the individual who does not produce much ear wax; I tend to be on the other extreme.

 

[Harley1962]

Ok Harley - thanks for the clarification on your views, altho I really read the article differently, "olive oil: maybe good to eat, doesn't prove anything." Thanks to Fisher for the facts, and to Vlad for the chuckles. :lol2:

Me, too, still. Perhaps more beneficial to the individual who does not produce much ear wax; I tend to be on the other extreme.

Actually gentlemen, this very subject WAS covered some four YEARS ago:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/index.php/t-27748.html

And there is definitive evidence that applying SOME type of oil (pre-dive) can be of benefit.....just google the subject.

And Don,according to the many studies that have been done world-wide it is a FACT that people who consume more monounsaturated fats (mainly from olive oil) will live a longer and healthier life. Mono-unsaturated fat doesn't raise blood cholesterol levels the way saturated fat does.

Sounds like proof enough to me....especially when you look at child obesity rates in the US vs. Mediterranean countries.

 

[Harley1962]

Ask your sister if the WHO and CDC recommend eating food or applying it externally. Or do they just take some things for granted?

lad

Actually Vlad, natural oils have been used in various medicinal ways for thousands of years, yielding positive benefits when used BOTH externally and internally. Just check out the most read book in the history of mankind : The Bible
See that oils were a great part of daily life, and not just as "food".

But I guess I took it "for granted" that most people here knew the difference between "foods" in a broad sense (as you intimated), and specific mono-unsaturated fats used for medicinal purposes....

 

[vladimir]

lad

Actually Vlad, natural oils have been used in various medicinal ways for thousands of years, yielding positive benefits when used BOTH externally and internally. Just check out the most read book in the history of mankind : The Bible
See that oils were a great part of daily life, and not just as "food".

But I guess I took it "for granted" that most people here knew the difference between "foods" in a broad sense (as you intimated), and specific mono-unsaturated fats used for medicinal purposes....

Harley, I stand corrected. Please pardon my sarcasm. Could you point me to some of the peer-reviewed scientific studies that suggest you can get the benefits of the Mediterranean diet via topical application? I haven't found that in my King James version of the Bible. I have to confess though, it was the last place I thought to look.

 

[garyfotodiver]

Harley, I stand corrected. Please pardon my sarcasm. Could you point me to some of the peer-reviewed scientific studies that suggest you can get the benefits of the Mediterranean diet via topical application? I haven't found that in my King James version of the Bible. I have to confess though, it was the last place I thought to look.

Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible...