Ear infection

[trux]

Sorry if I chose the wrong place for this post - it may not be perfectly on-topic here, but probably more than in another forum.

Some three weeks ago I caught an ear infection. Although it was rather painful the first day (headache, and pain shooting down to the neck), I felt it was apparently the external ear that was infected, not the internal ear or the tympanum, and definitely no barotrauma. It happened on Saturday but on Monday I felt it is practically gone, so I did not even bother seeing a specialist. I just skipped all the trainings that week. The following week, I felt perfectly OK, forgot about it completely and attended three trainings (2 static, one dynamic) without any troubles. However, on Friday evening the ear started to hurt again and this time it was much worse than the first time. During the next week it was getting better (but much slower than the first time) and now (one week after it) I feel already fine, but am afraid to go to the pool again. I wouldn't like to get into some chronic troubles with ears. This time I planned to see a doc (and still do), but was just too busy (tax declaration period ) to arrange a meeting.

However, I am afraid the specialist may have little experience with freediving, so I though I better ask here anyway. Did anyone of you had such troubles and do you have some recommendations for me? Do you use ear plugs in the pool (at least for the static training)? Do you clean your ear with some disinfection, or just wash with clean / distillate water after the pool? Or do you just dry the ear carefully, use some drops, or what other to do to prevent new infection?

Thanks

[naiad]

I have had ear infections before. If it is an external ear infection, it is important to keep the ear dry. That means staying out of the pool. I used some drops which soon cleared it up. The doctor should give you something.

It does take a long time to clear up completely, but I haven't had any problems for a long time now.

[island_sands]

tut tut for going in the water with an ear infection!!! i have had them too and you have to stay DRY until its over....

when you get out of the water wash your ears with 50/50 white spirit vinegar and water solution.

gad i sympathise with you.. especially the throbbing pain in your ear not fun at all!

Originally Posted by trux

Sorry if I chose the wrong place for this post - it may not be perfectly on-topic here, but probably more than in another forum.

Some three weeks ago I caught an ear infection. Although it was rather painful the first day (headache, and pain shooting down to the neck), I felt it was apparently the external ear that was infected, not the internal ear or the tympanum, and definitely no barotrauma. It happened on Saturday but on Monday I felt it is practically gone, so I did not even bother seeing a specialist. I just skipped all the trainings that week. The following week, I felt perfectly OK, forgot about it completely and attended three trainings (2 static, one dynamic) without any troubles. However, on Friday evening the ear started to hurt again and this time it was much worse than the first time. During the next week it was getting better (but much slower than the first time) and now (one week after it) I feel already fine, but am afraid to go to the pool again. I wouldn't like to get into some chronic troubles with ears. This time I planned to see a doc (and still do), but was just too busy (tax declaration period ) to arrange a meeting.

However, I am afraid the specialist may have little experience with freediving, so I though I better ask here anyway. Did anyone of you had such troubles and do you have some recommendations for me? Do you use ear plugs in the pool (at least for the static training)? Do you clean your ear with some disinfection, or just wash with clean / distillate water after the pool? Or do you just dry the carefully, use some drops, or what other to do to prevent new infection?

Thanks

[seaman]

A chronic ear infection is really something to fear, take good care of it and do not procastinate your regular check ups , you gotta take care man, do wathever is neccessary, cause you know, no ears, no diving ...

[seaman]

if it's an external infection, get a few drops of bee's propolys in a cotton swab and let it work for a couple of hours, remove it promptly afterwards and do the same thing each six hours or so. Befor you do that, discuss it with your doc, though ... get double care man, hope you will be fine soon ...

[naiad]

...and now I'm ill too, with flu. On antibiotics again, because I have a chronic chest infection.

At least I'm not missing any diving, because the pool is closed tomorrow.

[Tim1]

I used to frequently suffer from external ear infections. Having taken notice of the good advice on the DAN www site, they are (hopefully) a thing of the past. Check out

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p?articleid=48
and
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/me...p?articleid=49

The preventative of isopropyl alchohol and wine vinegar works very well. I use 'swim ear' which is almost pure isopropyl.

Good antibiotic drops are genamicin, genticin and otomize.

A new product (to me) is Orthan. I can't report yet on how good these work. Check out www.orthan.com but unfortunately their site is not yet functional.

The orthan 'protection and care' is: water, alcohol, acetic acid and glycerin and the 'acute treatment' is: water meristerm extract, camomille extract, sage extract, arnica extract, calendula extract and rokonsal MEP. I expect the 'acute treatment' would work well when used in conjuction with antibiotic drops.

Hope this helps...

[trux]

Thanks to all for excellent advices and for the wishes! Especially the documents noted by Tim1 are quite detailed and informative. Thanks!

[seaman]

Originally Posted by naiad

...and now I'm ill too, with flu. On antibiotics again, because I have a chronic chest infection.

At least I'm not missing any diving, because the pool is closed tomorrow.

Hey Sorry to hear that, take care on that chest baby and just be patient, let mother nature do its work, and do not get into the pool until you are completely recovered ...

[land shark]

...and now I'm ill too, with flu. On antibiotics again, because I have a chronic chest infection.

At least I'm not missing any diving, because the pool is closed tomorrow.

get well soon kiddo!

[naiad]

Thanks seaman and land shark for the good wishes. I'm much better today, so back in the pool soon!

[stone_shot]

I've found that a few drops of a solution of equal parts white vinegar, isopropyl alcohol (at least 70% strength) and hydrogen peroxide in each ear after a dive keeps the nasties away--and you'll never have a problem with wax buildup!!