Ear Infections

[eanxmiss]

I just came back from diving on a liveaboard in Belize and now I have a nasty ear infection that won't go away. I have been taking amoxcillin and Cipro ear drops but it does not seem to be helping. My ears feel like they are stuffed with cotton and it hurts to the touch. Any suggestions besides seeing a specialist?
Thanks guys,
Leslie

[JE]

Best thing is to go straight to an Ear Doctor......I just had that done about 3 months ago, and it was totally worth the cost{$80.00} No pain, nice clear hearing, & easy to equaliize now. Don't wait on it. Better safe, than sorry-!
Just some friendly encouragement-!

JE

[eanxmiss]

I did go to the ER on Sunday. Just a regular practioner. I was wondering if I should just remain on the course he has prescribed since I do not no how long these things are supposed to last. I t has been 3 days now and I see only a slight inprovement. I have insurance so I can realy go anywhere. Hard to find a specialist during the holidays. Thanks!

[Angie Reim]

I did go to the ER on Sunday. Just a regular practioner. I was wondering if I should just remain on the course he has prescribed since I do not no how long these things are supposed to last. I t has been 3 days now and I see only a slight inprovement. I have insurance so I can realy go anywhere. Hard to find a specialist during the holidays. Thanks!

I have chronic ear trouble due to scarring. I suggest that you go see whoever you can see first - primary care or specialist. You'll probably have to go see the primary care doctor first anyway. Slight improvement after three days is not good enough. By the 3rd day it's the infection that should be 'slight'. Either you didn't get enough of/or the right antibiotic. Also they should have prescribed a strong, extended release decongestant. Tell whoever you call that you are in pain or you won't get in until after the 1st. A final word from experience, if the infection is severe middle/inner ear you may also need to stay on an additional low dose antibiotic for a few months to prevent reinfection - especially if you plan to dive. You may want to consider taking steriodial type spray decongestants, etc. the week before a planned dive trip and then wean off 24-36 hours before the dives ( Just my 0.02. - you and your doctor will know best). Good luck!

[John L.]

I have very sensative ears, and a couple of times I had real bad infections and I went to a ear, nose, and throat specilist. I put alcohol in my ears after every dive, and I have not had a problem in over 2 years.

[Genesis]

Yeah, I made up a bottle of peroxide, vinegar and rubbing alcohol (roughly equal parts)

A bit of that in each ear stops the infections from getting going - all three are pretty decent antimicrobials, and the peroxide and vinegar keeps the alcohol content reasonable.

Haven't had a problem since I started using that stuff.

[Dwain]

I use a 50/50 mix of H2O2 & Alcohal... I don't do it after spring dives, but after ocean, sinks, and river dives it is a must.

Had ear problems ever since I was young due to scaring... even had reverse blocks during diving; couldn't asend, had to eventually due to air supply this caused a perferated ear drum and no diving for three months.

If you don't take care of your ears properly the infection can spread to your jaw. That means IV antibiotics and a hospital stay. Oh, and no diving for a long time.

Call DAN if you have Dan insurance it may be covered...

[Angie Reim]

I use a 50/50 mix of H2O2 & Alcohal... I don't do it after spring dives, but after ocean, sinks, and river dives it is a must.

Had ear problems ever since I was young due to scaring... even had reverse blocks during diving; couldn't asend, had to eventually due to air supply this caused a perferated ear drum and no diving for three months.

If you don't take care of your ears properly the infection can spread to your jaw. That means IV antibiotics and a hospital stay. Oh, and no diving for a long time.

Call DAN if you have Dan insurance it may be covered...

Yep. Ear beer is a must but it won't prevent inner ear stuff. Reverse blocks suck! It's a world of pain. Take care of your ears ASAP. Dwain is right. Don't let it drag on.

[Genesis]

Yeah, I had one reverse block a couple of years ago and it sucked severely. Fortunately it was in a sinus and not my ear, but the feeling of a jackhammer in your head is not something you forget - and eventually you have to surface, block or no block.

I learned my lesson on that one - if I'm questionable in terms of being able to clear, don't dive.

[eanxmiss]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies. I will make "ear beer" next time. Went to a specialist this time and he prescribed a nasal spray also. Seems to be a classic ear infection with water trapped in the ear. Feeling a tad better.
Thanks to all,
Leslie

[Webmaster]

A salt water snort seems to help the inner ear problems if you catch it early. Unpleasant, but better than the feeling of someone driving a spike through your head.

Never had problems in salt water, and it seems to be worse in cold water, although it could just be lots of wee beasties swimmin around. The last time I had to go to the doctor they gave me an expensive shot of something, and I swear it started getting better within 30 minutes. By that evening it was almost normal.

[eanxmiss]

A salt water snort seems to help the inner ear problems if you catch it early. Unpleasant, but better than the feeling of someone driving a spike through your head.

Never had problems in salt water, and it seems to be worse in cold water, although it could just be lots of wee beasties swimmin around. The last time I had to go to the doctor they gave me an expensive shot of something, and I swear it started getting better within 30 minutes. By that evening it was almost normal.

I was in salt water. Was not diving any rivers in Belize :wink: However, I do appreciate your concern. It feels more like a dry wall screw than a spike.

[abseascuba]

I have experienced several ear infections over the past year after diving in Mexico and other areas. I have used a couple of different antibiotics to relieve the infections and you should feel releif within 2 days at most. If not, I would make a b-line back to the doc.
I have let them go too long to where the bacteria got into my lungs and had walking pneumonia. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[bernieflyer]

I`ve had that problem but only in NFL springs, bacteria probably don`t like cold canadian waters.
Yes the prevention is the ear beer, but the solution, if you`ve been infected already, is a prescription only ear drop: the one i got is called Cipro HC otic. I think the active ingredient is the hydrocortisone in otic suspension.
I`ve also noticed since i got it, i seem to be more prone to getting it again. So be prepared.....
Happy new year.
Bernie

[eanxmiss]

I`ve had that problem but only in NFL springs, bacteria probably don`t like cold canadian waters.
Yes the prevention is the ear beer, but the solution, if you`ve been infected already, is a prescription only ear drop: the one i got is called Cipro HC otic. I think the active ingredient is the hydrocortisone in otic suspension.
I`ve also noticed since i got it, i seem to be more prone to getting it again. So be prepared.....
Happy new year.
Bernie

I am on that med and also amoxcillin. However I also had a post nasal drip that was leading back into the ear canal, so he prescribed me Nasacort. Feeling much better. No I put out my back. Oh, well. Happy New Year.