I was diving for several days this weekend and my ears are real sticky, I could not go past 10ft after several days of 75 to 100ft depths and I would like to know what is the best to clear out and dry out ones ear's. I heard 50/50 alchohol and vinegar? any ideas or does this sound good for such things, thanks all.
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Clearing ears of saltwater
- Thread starter black1
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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My doc prescribed amoxicillin (I assume for infection) and Fluticasone propionate (nasal spray) to dry up the middle ear.
Alcohol is a preventative measure, that you should use each time after you dive, to dry up the outer ear.
Nic
Alcohol is a preventative measure, that you should use each time after you dive, to dry up the outer ear.
Nic
The outer ear has an incredibly complex environment, how come two holes, exposed to the elements, with no air flow, don't constantly become infected or full of creepy-crawlies or full of fungal nasties?
It's because over millions of years the ears have evolved to combat these problems.
I would try to avoid doing anything to upset the complex balance of the outer ear (for example, ear wax contains an insect repellent.)
I have never put anything in my ears, I don't even bother to rinse out the salt or try to dry the ears and I've never had problems of any kind.
Try going down the non-intervention route first before risking upsetting the ears with alcohol/vinegar or other similar products.
Dave.
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I had the same ongoing problem. I started paying more attention to my descent rates and I was not clearing early and often enough. I had sticking every single time. When I began clearing early and often the problem went away. No more discomfort, squeaking, sticking, reverse block, etc. Early and often was the ticket for me. I dont' know if it will help but I thought I should mention it.
I was getting a lot of ear infections because of the amout of time I spent in the water so my Doc told me to use alcohol. (not something I dreamed up) My kid's Dr tells me to do the same for them.
Nic
Nic
Hey Dartfisher.
Wasn't having a dig at you and know you didn't dream it up.
It's just that as with most interventions there are always side effects and advising people to do something they may not need and could cause problems is not a good idea.
ENT doctors advise divers to not use these products unless they have to.
Every time I dive on a liveaboard, at least half the divers using drying agents develop problems, OK they are using them three or four times a day for five days, but I wonder how many of them would have been just fine without them.
The point I'm trying to make is don't use drying agents as a matter of course, only use them if you have to.
Dave.
Wasn't having a dig at you and know you didn't dream it up.
It's just that as with most interventions there are always side effects and advising people to do something they may not need and could cause problems is not a good idea.
ENT doctors advise divers to not use these products unless they have to.
Every time I dive on a liveaboard, at least half the divers using drying agents develop problems, OK they are using them three or four times a day for five days, but I wonder how many of them would have been just fine without them.
The point I'm trying to make is don't use drying agents as a matter of course, only use them if you have to.
Dave.
I understand completely. These are doctors orders for me. I don't advise that anyone do anything that hasn't been advised by a doctor. Always consult your physician.
Nic
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Nic
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