23 replies to this topic

[Sotocanoguy]

Great find I am going to order the fitting set tonight.

Edited by Sotocanoguy, 20 June 2008 - 09:49 PM.

[pir8]

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.

What do you think about peroxide instead of vinegar

[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.

What do you think about peroxide instead of vinegar

I NEVER put peroxide into the ear. It is very harsh and may cause irritation to the delicate ear canal skin.

On my last trip there were several people with earaches likely to be otitis externa (AKA swimmer's ear). There was a general doctor on board who was putting Rx ear drops into several folks ears (they were friends of her). Another guest asked me about her OE, we made up the 50/50 vinegar/alcohol mixture and I put it in that evening. She reported that in the morning she had absolutely NO further symptoms. All of the other folks using the RX drops were still using them for days without relief. The simple remedy is what really works! I always used to think the RX drops were better, but no more. I am a believer.

[Cold_H2O]

What do you think about peroxide instead of vinegar

I have been told that the peroxide is too harsh. The bubbling action can cause damage.

I have stuck with alcohol/vinegar and its always worked great for me.
Quick turn around on results and never an ear infection.

Edited by gis_gal, 22 June 2008 - 03:55 PM.

[Fordan]

So what type of alcohol? Vodka? Rum? Rum's probably easier to find in the Caribbean, but seems a bit sticky...

[Penguin]

I sometimes suffer from swimmers ear on liveaboards when diving 4-5 times per day. I've tried the various alcohol, vinegar water mixtures with mixed (and inconsistent) results. I always read related articles in dive mags and have read that the alcohol and/or vinegar can disrupt the Ph balance of the ear. I have been using an Rx since reading about a product in a dive mag several years ago. It is "Acetic Acid 2% in Aqueous Aluminum Acetate Otic Solution". I place a few drops in each ear and let it sit for a few minutes each evening. It has worked perfectly for me.

I think the perfect solution is probably unique to each of us, however this has allowed me to be symptom-free and I have not missed a dive since I started using it.

[WreckWench]

I sometimes suffer from swimmers ear on liveaboards when diving 4-5 times per day. I've tried the various alcohol, vinegar water mixtures with mixed (and inconsistent) results. I always read related articles in dive mags and have read that the alcohol and/or vinegar can disrupt the Ph balance of the ear. I have been using an Rx since reading about a product in a dive mag several years ago. It is "Acetic Acid 2% in Aqueous Aluminum Acetate Otic Solution". I place a few drops in each ear and let it sit for a few minutes each evening. It has worked perfectly for me.

I think the perfect solution is probably unique to each of us, however this has allowed me to be symptom-free and I have not missed a dive since I started using it.

Hey darling...great advice and even better Christmas present to see you online again!

[secretsea18]

I sometimes suffer from swimmers ear on liveaboards when diving 4-5 times per day. I've tried the various alcohol, vinegar water mixtures with mixed (and inconsistent) results. I always read related articles in dive mags and have read that the alcohol and/or vinegar can disrupt the Ph balance of the ear. I have been using an Rx since reading about a product in a dive mag several years ago. It is "Acetic Acid 2% in Aqueous Aluminum Acetate Otic Solution". I place a few drops in each ear and let it sit for a few minutes each evening. It has worked perfectly for me.

I think the perfect solution is probably unique to each of us, however this has allowed me to be symptom-free and I have not missed a dive since I started using it.

Hi Stranger.... Merry Christmas too!

You still loving Arkansas.... ha ha ha..... wait til your first Ice storm...

Robin

[peterbj7]

I'm not a doctor or a paramedic. That said, I've done lots of dives myself and worked with many other divers. My remedy is two-fold. Firstly, immediately after the dive flush out the outer ear with fresh water. On the boat this can be from a water bottle; on shore stand under a shower and angle your head so you can feel the water washing down inside your ear canal. Do this for 10-15 seconds each ear. If you have wax build-up in your ear get it cleaned out - I am not recommending what I do (which is to use a cotton bud) but rather than you get your ears syringed. If you do feel tempted to use a cotton bud get medical advice on how to do it. It's rather like "never hold your breath whilst diving" - it CAN be done if you know and understand exactly what you're doing. This usually avoids the problem altogether.

If I don't have fresh water handy, or if the above hasn't worked and I can feel a slight irritation, then I use a popper bottle of rubbing alcohol and put a drop or two deep into each ear canal in turn and massage the ear lobe so that the alcohol gets everywhere. Sometimes I do it twice. I've never thought of using vinegar - the alcohol does a pretty good job at killing bugs anyway - and I hate to think what it'd smell like!

The problem arises because dirty sea water gets trapped in the ear and as the water dries the salt causes irritation, then inflammation, then infection. You want to get that water & salt out asap and replace it with fresh water (or dilute alcohol). The problem is much greater if there is much wax, as the water gets trapped behind the wax.

This is rather like using an underwater camera housing. Once out of the water, NEVER allow the salt water to dry as it just deposits salt. Rinse it off thoroughly first. Since following this regime I've never had an ear infection, but I used to get them before.

I never use ear plugs and I don't think I want to. Either they're sealed against the outside world in which case they could be pushed in by increasing pressure, or they're not sealed in which case they admit sea water then hold it trapped against the ear drum - PRECISELY what you want to avoid. There may be a place for them to help with other ear conditions, but as an expedient of protecting your ears from sea water they seem to me deeply flawed.

Something else that I occasionally do, on the recommendation of my diving doctor back in the UK (we have diving specialists, with additional qualifications; in fact, only these doctors are allowed to sign a diving medical). Put a drop or two (no more) of pure olive oil into each ear shortly before diving or swimming in a public pool. Protects the ear drum and surrounding skin and pretty well prevents any problem from developing. You need a popper bottle to do this, or at a pinch use a cotton bud.

Note to Americans - "cotton bud" is the generic name for what is usually in the States called "Q-tip". That is of course just a manufacturer's name, and there are lots of other brands.

Edited by peterbj7, 23 December 2008 - 09:21 AM.