23 replies to this topic

[Sotocanoguy]

Every time I dive I have an ear infection within five days. Does anyone have any tips on how to keep this from happening?

[SeaSeeker]

Hi,
I used to have chronic ear infections that sometimes got really really bad. They could be terrifically painful with swelling that caused severe discomfort. Water and wind are the worst enemies. I was actually worried I might have problems again when I took up diving, but I am thrilled to report that I have not. My ears actually really like the ocean.

There are some sort of drops available that are supposed to dry the ears, but I've never used them. You can also use a simple hair blow dryer on low to dry out the ear canal after you get out of the water. Drying out the ear canal is supposed to help preven an infection, but I've never really bothered with that.

Years ago, I went to a specialist (Ear Nose Throat doctor) who explained to me that the outer ear canal loves to be acidic. He advised that the prevention was as simple as Hydrogen Peroxide. I keep some in an eye dropper bottle all the time and routinely treat my ears as a preventative measure. Just lay down on your side and put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear and let it sit for a few minutes. Then roll over and let it drain into a towel or something and do the other ear. It is "crackly" and odd feeling and sounding at first, but you get used to it.

First sign of an infection is typically that "itchy ear" feeling or a bit of dampness in the ear canal. If you catch an infection early it can typically be cleared up in a few days with 3 or 4 treatments a day of hydrogen peroxide. Then, as a preventative, use the hydrogen peroxide a few times a week or as often as needed. Over time you will find what frequency works for you best.

When I took up diving, I was worried I might have an ear infection problem again, as you seem to have. Trust me, you have my deepest sympathies as I know how awful an ear infection is. I really hate those goopy ear drops the doctors perscribe for an infection. I just treat my ears every day after diving with the hydrogen peroxide and I've never had a problem. I haven't had an ear infection flare up in so long - the hydrogen peroxide really works. The only caveat, of course, as with any outer ear drop or treatment, is to be sure you don't have a damaged/punctured ear drum when you use it.

Good luck!

Tammie aka SeaSeeker

Edited by SeaSeeker, 18 June 2008 - 11:33 PM.

[Cold_H2O]

I have always used a mix of alcohol and vinegar. 50/50 mix.
Place a few drops in each ear. The alcohol dries the ear the vinager helps kill stuff.

I have heard to use hydrogen peroxide and have also been advised to not use it.
With the alcohol/vinager mix ~ everyone agrees it works.

Edited by gis_gal, 19 June 2008 - 05:22 AM.

[dustbowl diver]

As gis gal replied, I learned this same trick from the great sage Walter on a SD trip to the FLower Gardens. Now carry a bottle of this mix everyplace I go diving!!

[BubbleBoy]

I sometimes have this problem too. Two recommendations.

1) Start your medication treatments early, even before you start to feel any pain. Once it starts, it's much harder to get rid of. I start using Debrox drops a few hours before my first dive anytime I plan to dive repeatedly over several days. Other meds may work good too.

2) Be ultra careful with your ear clearing and equalization while diving. Don't push it; go slow. Straining and trying to accelerate the equalization process (i.e., holding your nose and blowing out or something like that) will irritate your ears more and actually accelerate the inflamation.

These two things have helped me a lot.

[NJBerserker]

the 50-50 alc./vinegar mix is the DAN recommended preventative for swimmers ear. a few drops in each after diving. let them sit a bit and you're good. it is also extremely cheap, especially when compared to copays and otc and Rx remedies. the mix is also great for neutralizing stings from jellyfish and such. don't leave home without it.

[Dive_Girl]

I suffer from the same issue as you when I dive. I am either more lazy or more stupid (or both) than my lovely counterparts who posted above. I just buy Swimmer's Ear at my local grocery store. It is a staple in my dive bag and my save-a-dive kit and I use it between dives to stave off infections.

[Sotocanoguy]

I suffer from the same issue as you when I dive. I am either more lazy or more stupid (or both) than my lovely counterparts who posted above. I just buy Swimmer's Ear at my local grocery store. It is a staple in my dive bag and my save-a-dive kit and I use it between dives to stave off infections.

I bought Dr. Tom's ear drops in Utila but they didn't work. I will try and find swimmer's ear. I have been mixing the recipes above. I will let ya'll know how it goes. I hate being 3/4 deaf.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

I've always used straight rubbing alcohol at the end of the day to dry up the inner ears. I don't even use a dropper -- just put a little bit in the bottle cap and tip it in, hold for a very few seconds and then do the other ear. Works great! I always carry rubbing alcohol and vinegar (for stings) in my first aid kit when I travel for diving, but I never thought to combine the two.

[bowjunkie]

I suffer from the same issue as you when I dive. I am either more lazy or more stupid (or both) than my lovely counterparts who posted above. I just buy Swimmer's Ear at my local grocery store. It is a staple in my dive bag and my save-a-dive kit and I use it between dives to stave off infections.

same thing I use

[shawnabbott]

I have always used a mix of alcohol and vinegar. 50/50 mix.
Place a few drops in each ear. The alcohol dries the ear the vinager helps kill stuff.

I have heard to use hydrogen peroxide and have also been advised to not use it.
With the alcohol/vinager mix ~ everyone agrees it works.

my doc said no hydrogen peroxide too...the vinegar is acidic and kills bacteria so more likely. i use commercial ear drops after diving and works fine.

[Sotocanoguy]

I feel better today. Vinegar and alcohol along with my script ear drops did the trick. Thanks for all of your help everyone .

[Starfish Sandy]

I use the drops and also "santa" brought me the ear air dryer you find in the dive mags..........it's great. I had a killer ear infection after a live abaord in Belize - they are the worst.

[secretsea18]

I have always used a mix of alcohol and vinegar. 50/50 mix.
Place a few drops in each ear. The alcohol dries the ear the vinager helps kill stuff.

I have heard to use hydrogen peroxide and have also been advised to not use it.
With the alcohol/vinager mix ~ everyone agrees it works.

As an ENT, this is the best treatment I have found and it is even better than using presription ear drops (much to my surprise). The ingredients are readily found on liveaboards and in resorts (ask for vinegar in galley or kitchen) and mix it up even in a glass if needed. I have used a spoon to drop it into the ear canal.

[Parrotman]

These are the best thing going for divers with ear problems...

http://www.proplugs....ubadiving.shtml