Swimmer's Ear

[Austin]

Hey everyone. I'm headed to the Bahamas (Eluthera) for a month on friday, and was wondering about swimmer's ear. I pulled my dive stuff out of the attic where its been this winter, and can't find any ear drops. I know the over the counter ones ( i think with acetic acid, correct if i'm wrong) are good at preventing swimmer's ear. Is it more important to be using such a thing in chlorine than in salt water. My uncle who's a dive master told me that i wouldn't have a problem in saltwater and as long as i physically dry my ears off afterwards and get the water out i'd be fine. He also warned that the drops can overly dry your ears out. Any advice?

 

[NINman]

My wife works for a E/N/T I will ask him tomorrow and see if I can get some information for you.

 

[Bob3]

You're better off making your own mix of "almost" equal parts white vinegar (acetic acid), alcohol, and distilled water, and add a shot of either some "sweet oil" or mineral oil. "sweet oil" is pharmacy grade olive oil. (if they still sell the stuff)
Put the "ear beer" in a squirt bottle so you can actually flush out your ears & then let 'em soak 5 minutes.
Some or the over the counter stuff is mostly alcohol which is WAY too harsh on the ears.
If you omit the oil you can use the mix for cleaning sunglasses...

 

[Jason B]

I use a similar mix I got from a DAN "alert diver" bulliten years ago. 50% white vinager and 50% alcohol. The alcohol obviously dries the ear and the white vinegar creates an acidic environment which is not conducive to bacteria growth. I always have a bottle on me (when I dive) and use it every time I surface. I use to have a lot of problems with ear infections after diving but not since I read that DAN article over 12 years ago.

 

[RIDIVER501]

Being in the water all through Middle School and High School on a swim team I went through lots of swim ear products. But the bottom line best product for me was a home mix of 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% hydrogen peroxide. The alcohol helps to evaporate the water that won't drain and the HP helps kill any bacteria the alcohol missed. Works for me like a champ.

 

[Austin]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm thinking of adding 50% Acetic acid with 50% rubbing alchohol, or if this is too harsh, should i add some distilled water? Thanks!

 

[rcain1]

Is this a step you are planning on taking before the dive or after the dive?

 

[JC Fedorczyk]

Here are the DAN articles on swimmers ear

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=13

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=49

 

[Bob3]

Peroxide is tolerated by some persons better than others; I use the stuff in my own mix (w/no oil) because I have a couple of real wax factories. For MOST folks you'll want to keep the wax in the ear, it's the natural protectant, helps keep the ear canal's skin from getting overly dry.
A squirt before the dive doesn't hurt, but the main use is for after the dive.

 

[Michael Schlink]

Go to the DAN site and read about Otic Domboro. Home brews are OK but there is a much better solution. The PH is critical, the time in the ear also. Also the bacteria is naturally occuring so it doesn't matter where you dive Otitis Externa is caused by bacteria in your ear canal and wet skin. Otic Domboro. The Bausch&Lomb equivalent is NDC 24208-615-77