#&/*@ Ear infections!!

[PTAaron]

Just had to stop off at the doctor on my wa home from work to find out I once again have an outer ear infection along with a sinus infection!

I had an ear infection in my right ear a few weeks (from pool diving at work!) before our trip to Jamaica that was treated with CiproDex drops and I THOUGHT was cleared up. On the trip I had some trouble with my ears getting "stuffy" between dives, but no trouble on the dives - used over the counter ear drying solution between the dives too.

Anyway flying home from the trip both ears plugged up... and here we are now with more CiproDex and a ZPack! This sucks.

I did call a DAN recommended ENT to get in, but I can't see him until end of August!!

From now on I will be using the 50/50 vineger/alcohol solution after dives...

Anyway, I just wanted to complain.

[PTAaron]

Only good part is that the next dives aren't until July 18-19, then again July 25 - so there is time to heal!

[JCM]

I didn't clean my ears well after a dive a while back and ended up with an ear infection. I let it go on for about two weeks because I thought that it would heal on its own. Not a good idea. The doctor almost died laughing when he found out that I had an ear infection because he said they aren't really that common for adults.

[rox@ucf11]

Ear beer is your friend man, half alcohol half white vinegar and mix, I buy the swim ear product dump out half the alcohol and replace it with white vinegar

[navyhmc]

While every EENT I've ever talk to has said never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbos, I always bring some q-tips to help keep the ears clean and healthy. DIR Ear-Beer is good to bring as well.

[underh2o]

no matter what after each dive use ..at least swim ear.

[snagel]

I use to get frequent ear infections until I started using the 50/50 alcohol/vinigar mix. I use it after every dive and a real good dose at the end of the day.

A couple months ago, my dive buddy got a bad infection. When he went to the doctor he told him that he has been using the alcohol/vinigar (which the doctor said was the best treatment). The doctor recommended mixing up a new batch when the infection was cleared up - thinking the alcohol might have evaporated over the winter.

Snagel

[Crimediver]

I attended a public safety diving seminar years ago and there was a physician from Duke University who was with DAN. He discussed ear infections at length and went over a US Navy study that came looked at the 50/50 vinegar alcohol ear drops. It found it was the most effective fix for ear infections., BUT it was only highly effective if the solution stayed in the ear canal for a full 10 minutes.

I have tried the 10 minute thing per side and it seemed like it lasted for hours. I suggest if you are prone to these type of infections leave the solution in for 10 minutes per ear. You need to be lying on your side so it does not run out.

[wgt]

The Dr. would most likely have been talking about middle ear infections in relation to age and vulnerability. The tendency for children to be more vulnerable reflects an age-related anatomical difference.

Outer ear infection, on the other hand, depends largely on what is introduced and allowed to remain in the outer ear.

Originally Posted by JCM

The doctor almost died laughing when he found out that I had an ear infection because he said they aren't really that common for adults.

[wgt]

It is important when using a term like "fix" to note that the mixture is much more effective as a preventative than as a cure.

The alcohol dehydrates the canal, thus physically removing a reservoir for potential contaminants. The vinegar lowers the pH, creating an environment that is less hospitable to many of the bacteria that might otherwise enjoy the accommodations.

Originally Posted by Crimediver

He discussed ear infections at length and went over a US Navy study that came looked at the 50/50 vinegar alcohol ear drops. It found it was the most effective fix for ear infections.