What can I do when I have an inflammation of the outer ear?

[KW2005]

Hey everyone!
I have a question:
Everytime I go diving I get earache after a while. I was told that this is an inflammation of the outer ear. Does anybody have an idea how I can prvent this inflammation?
Thanxx
Greetings
Kari

 

[_Bella_]

Were you told you had inflammation from a layperson or a dr? I'd go to a dr and confirm what the problem really is. If it is otitis externa, you'll probably need to start using prophylactic ear drops to prevent it before it gets set in and an external antiobiotic to get rid of the current infection. Some tips your dr. may give you to prevent it (if this what you have) are to be careful using cotton swabs in your ears. They can damage the skin lining the ear canal making them more susceptible to bacteria or fungus setting in. I also use a 1:4 solution of white vinegar to water once a day when i'm doing multiple dives a day to raise the acidity in my ears. You can also use a hair dryer or an air bulb to dry the water gurgling around. You should not use a strong alcohol solution like those Swimmers Ear solutions. Most ENT's will say this will make any situation worse should you already have a problem and are too harsh to use in the first place. The only liquid you really need is one to raise the acidity level, and not strip all the protective wax.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I'll second the suggestions above. It tends to occur in my experience if you clean all the wax out of your ears or if you stick your finger, cotton swab, etc, in your ear to get water out, etc. The lining of your ear canal then gets damaged with little fissures that are prone to swelling and infection.

I used to use a mixture of alcohol (to drying the water) hydrogen peroxide (to take care of any bugs or organic matter) and glycerin (to prevent the alcohol from over drying the ear canal) but the last few years I have gotten lazy and found that the normal swimmers ear drops work just fine as long as you use them prior to developing a problem. If you already have a problem all that alcohol will definitely draw your attention to it.

 

[renpirate]

Hey everyone!
I have a question:
Everytime I go diving I get earache after a while. I was told that this is an inflammation of the outer ear. Does anybody have an idea how I can prvent this inflammation?
Thanxx
Greetings
Kari

The previous comments are great advice and should be followed. However, I am curious about some other possibilities. Is it in only one ear or both?

 

[KW2005]

This varies from time to time- sometimes both sometimes just one ear!

 

[renpirate]

This varies from time to time- sometimes both sometimes just one ear!

Sometimes, it can be aggravated by having the window rolled down as you drive home. The extra pressure and cold air can cause pain. It is usally the ear next to the window. Just a thought.