Post Diving Ear Issues

[moosicman]

I went diving this past weekend and starting yesterday or the day before my ear has been kinda sore (like if you put your finger in it and apply pressure up or down, it feels the way sore muscles feel). Also, my jaw on that side feels like someone gave me a good hook punch and it feels a bit stressed and sore (or like I've been chewing gum for DAYS). I've never had an ear ache or infection so I don't know exactly what that feels like. This isn't at all an unbearable pain, just an irritation similar to the pain of sore muscles after a work out (which is why I haven't seen a doc, because it doesn't seem to be anything urgent at all). It seems that the ear canal is clear. I can equalize my ears without any pain and I am not stuffy or congested. I say all that to say that I am suppose to go on my final AOW check out dives on Saturday and want to know if there is any cause for alarm or for trip cancellation. Again, the pain is not sharp or great, just a sore stiffness along the ear and (I assume due to the location and sensation that my jaw feels the same way) ear canal leading to my sinuses. Thoughts and suggestions?? Could this possibly be cleared up quickly with some ear drops?

[caroln]

I would recommend calling the DAN medic and getting some expert advise. It's quick, free, and really not worth taking any chances.

[Foo2]

Sounds like swimmer's ear to me. I just had it a few weeks ago. Go to the dr. asap!

[reactive]

Go to the doctor. It may turn out to be nothing, but on the other hand (i hope this doesn't happen), it may turn out to get worse. Some antibiotic ear drops may be just what you need to get back in the water in a few days.

[Grin]

You really need to be careful about taking advise about your ears on the internet. That aside, I think it sounds like swimmers ear also. If you felt fine and had no clue about any ear issues at all for about 24 hours after diving, and then it started to act up, it is likely swimmers ear. It takes a day or two for it to act up. Swimmers ear is the outer ear (ear canal) tissue inflamed due to absorbing water. Refered to as Swimmers ear or a outer ear infection. Ear wax is natures way of protecting from this. I have one ear that gave me many years of trouble with swimmers ear, before I figured out how to deal with it. A DAN article, a few years ago, was very detailed about this subject and I used information I got out of that article and havn't had a case of swimmers ear since.
The article had a few different mixtures that were close to the same. Something like 1/2 alchohol and 1/2 vinegar. Or 1/3 of each and another 1/3 water. I now use the 1/2 and 1/2 mixture. I also do as the article stated, was a critical step. I fill my left ear canal with the 1/2 and 1/2 mix and lay on my side for exactly 5 minutes after a days diving. I have noticed on occassion that if I swim and don't do the proceedure, then a day later I feel a little issue starting up in there, I can use the mixture and it clears the issue up over night. It might even burn just a hair(nothing terrible) when you do it after the problem has shown itself.
The alchohol is the key ingredient that drys the ear canal tissue out. If you don't due it for 5 minutes, you are not drying deeply enough. The vinegar is to control the PH of the ear. To be honest I have no clue what PH is, but they state PH is a key to keeping the ear happy. That's why we have doctors and DAN, to figure that stuff out for people like me. My right ear has had no issues, ever, and I don't treat it at all.
I went to many ear docs that all gave me over the counter stuff that plain did not work. It really does pay to call DAN and get a doctors recomendation that understands diving issues. And if your not a DAN member, 1st you need to be. 2nd they will still recomend a dco for you anyway (I think).
If it is swimmers ear, you need to do the proceedure every time you swim or dive forever as preventative maintenance. At least within a a day or two of the diving. Two days after words, and you may already be feeling coming on. One day would be hard pressed to have a infection flame up that fast.
Just my uninformed non medical opinions.
Also remember sharks know when a animal is wounded and will take out the weak first. They can probably smell that infection and will come in and remove a weakened specimen from the food chain.

[digitalman]

I'd go see an ENT specialist to check things out, especially before diving again.

[character157]

I have had ear trouble after dives and the best thing I have found so far is to make the call and see a doc...Dan also works. Professional advice is a good way to go.

[moosicman]

Originally Posted by Grin

Also remember sharks know when a animal is wounded and will take out the weak first. They can probably smell that infection and will come in and remove a weakened specimen from the food chain.

cute grin....cute