Raging ear infection...

[SparticleBrane]

Some suggest adding equal parts of alcohol, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. I have seen the H2O2 criticized as something to add to the ear canal, but what probably happens with the mix is that the H2O2 breaks down to water, diluting the active parts - actually adding more water to the ear.

I'm not sure how much I believe that--if you look at most bottles of white vinegar they're only 5%, the rest is (I suppose) water. Then again, that's still enough to work fine.
I personally use a baby bottle for dispensing the solution. Works great, holds plenty of solution. On diving days I'll squirt some in each ear for a few seconds after each dive. When I get home I'll put the solution in each ear for 5 minutes after I shower.
I believe later on this season when I dive more often I'll put it in my ears before I go diving as well. Ear infections are awful and I want to avoid them at all costs.

 

[DandyDon]

I'm not sure how much I believe that--if you look at most bottles of white vinegar they're only 5%, the rest is (I suppose) water. Then again, that's still enough to work fine.
I personally use a baby bottle for dispensing the solution. Works great, holds plenty of solution. On diving days I'll squirt some in each ear for a few seconds after each dive. When I get home I'll put the solution in each ear for 5 minutes after I shower.
I believe later on this season when I dive more often I'll put it in my ears before I go diving as well. Ear infections are awful and I want to avoid them at all costs.

Yeah, mine is only 5%, but you don't want battery acid in there. (joke) The 50-50 mix is the most suggested and used from what I've seen here, and I know of ENTs who suggest that to non-divers who are prone to ear infections.

I was posting more to not using Hydrogen Peroxide, as the H2O2 breaks down quickly into H2O and active O. The Active Oxygen is a germ killer, but only briefly before it becomes O2, leaving the mix at 33% Vinegar, 33% Alcohol, and 33% more water.

The baby bottle is an interesting idea. Need to look at that. 5 minutes sound excessive, but couldn't hurt. Adding before diving is probly a good idea, to reduce bad bacteria lurking, just waiting for wet conditions.

 

[SparticleBrane]

I used to do the 33/33/33 mix of alcohol, vinegar, and H2O2 but recently decided to do the 50/50 mix of alcohol and vinegar. I believe there was an article in Alert Diver about it recently, and they said that the 5-minute thing of 50/50 is what Navy divers do and apparently by doing that they rarely get ear infections. I don't mind taking 10-minutes out of my day to make sure I don't get an ear infection. Towards the end of the 5 minute time period the solution starts to feel quite warm in my ear; it's a very interesting sensation. Not sure if it has anything to do with it, but I fill my ear canals all the way up until the solution is about to spill out. Got to make sure everything stays clean.

The baby bottle is an interesting idea. Need to look at that.

It also has the benefit of scaring my girlfriend's mom. She dropped by my girlfriend's apartment one day and was very curious why there was a baby bottle in her room...
We bought the cheapest ones we could find. I believe they were <$3 for 4 bottles. Fill them all up and keep them in whatever bags or boxes you keep your scuba gear in, and keep at least one at home. That way no matter what gear you bring with you on the dive, you still have the ear solution wherever you are.

 

[DandyDon]

I stocked up on the cortisone ear drops in Mexico a couple of years ago, as I was having to pay so much here - and I didn't EVER want to be without. But after I got better about rinsing with 50-50, no problems since. Still, I keep the drops in my hypochondriac bag that goes everywhere I do in my laptop bag. Horrible pain.

Some people are more prone to the infections, I'm sure. Whatever it takes to prevent one is worth it, as my last infection left me disabled in pain for days. :11:

 

[SparticleBrane]

Some people are more prone to the infections, I'm sure. Whatever it takes to prevent one is worth it, as my last infection left me disabled in pain for days. :11:

That's the truth. Last time I had an ear infection it felt like I had an icepick in my ear. "Never again!!"

 

[adjuster-jd]

I stocked up on the cortisone ear drops in Mexico a couple of years ago, as I was having to pay so much here - and I didn't EVER want to be without. But after I got better about rinsing with 50-50, no problems since. Still, I keep the drops in my hypochondriac bag that goes everywhere I do in my laptop bag. Horrible pain.

Some people are more prone to the infections, I'm sure. Whatever it takes to prevent one is worth it, as my last infection left me disabled in pain for days. :11:

Hey Don, be careful about using the cortisporin drops regularly as it may be possible for certain bacteria to develop a resistance to that particular antibiotic, then it won't work. I'm not a doctor, just thinking that this may be an issue. Good idea to get it in mexico though since it's got to be cheaper there...

 

[fisherdvm]

Hey Don, be careful about using the cortisporin drops regularly as it may be possible for certain bacteria to develop a resistance to that particular antibiotic, then it won't work. I'm not a doctor, just thinking that this may be an issue. Good idea to get it in mexico though since it's got to be cheaper there...

My main concern with cortisporin is, it has no antifungal activity. My second concern is the high risk of allergic reaction to neomycin. Third, if you have a ruptured ear drum, neomycin might cause permanent hearing loss.

My preference is a topical otic solution with both an antifungal and antibiotic, with a topical steroid. My preference is to use the drop no more than 3 consecutive days a week.

Topical steroid can cause problem on their own (tachyphylaxis, atrophy, and bacteria overgrowth).

 

[DandyDon]

That's the truth. Last time I had an ear infection it felt like I had an icepick in my ear. "Never again!!"

Been there, felt that, can't stand it. I'm not a wimp, but that one is bad.

Hey Don, be careful about using the cortisporin drops regularly as it may be possible for certain bacteria to develop a resistance to that particular antibiotic, then it won't work. I'm not a doctor, just thinking that this may be an issue. Good idea to get it in mexico though since it's got to be cheaper there...

Yeah, I haven't used it in a couple of years I guess. Just have it in case ever needed.

Many drugs are not cheaper there, especially on Cozumel with the Cruise barge traffic. I just found a package of the drops that was. Not a common Cruise boat request, I suppose. Now, the packages are 3 yrs old and may need to be thrown out...?

I really do not remember the Englis name for the drops, what they were costing me in the US back then, or what I paid in Coz then. I think I was getting stuck with Brand name drugs until I finally asked for Generic, but seems like it was high? Maybe not. For the pain experiences, I always want it within reach...!

 

[erparamedic]

I saw the ENT today. My ear is actually feeling much better today, but I dared not cancel the appt! He says the ear will be fine in a week. I'm staying on the Ceftin (8 more days), and starting Tobramycin drops in my ear. He re-itterated that the perf was pinpoint tiny and that it's ok to dive with it (as I have the last several years). Beyond that, he said, have fun on my dive trip the end of February!

 

[justleesa]

Great news! I would have hated to see you cancel your trip (You're going to need some cheering up after the Colts lose )