Ear Infections and North Florida Caves???

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Originally Posted by chimie007

Come on it's easier than whipping up a gin and tonic.... I use the vinegar I have around... sometimes it's rice vinegar, sometimes red wine... I haven't tried with balsamic yet ;)

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Red wine would work. I always have red wine around :-)

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Originally Posted by JerseyJersey

Also was told the reason the problem is only fresh water is because the bacteria cannot survive in the saltwater environment but breeds in the freshwater even spring fed waters whether warm or cold......

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Hmmm, not so sure. I got the worst ear infection I have ever had, diving in the FL Keys.

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Originally Posted by FW

Hmmm, not so sure. I got the worst ear infection I have ever had, diving in the FL Keys.

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Many years living and diving in Hawaii, Grand Cayman & the Keys, on an almost daily basis & never an ear infection that I can recall. Probably a total of 15 years.

Different Beers for different ears!!

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Originally Posted by JerseyJersey

Was told the same thing about the hydrogen peroxide .... becasue it strips the protective coating of the ear canal....

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Then I'll have to go back to my ENT and ask what might work otherwise, because I absolutely can't do vinegar in that case.

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Originally Posted by JerseyJersey

Have gotten the infection from 38F waters of the Dutch Springs in PA as well as the warm FLA springs so I dont argue....just use the ear beer.....

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Never got it at Dutch.

I use Acetic Acid Otic Solution Usp 2% You need a prescription for it. There was a write up in DAN a few years ago. Not as stinky as Ear Beer.

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Originally Posted by Oister

I use Acetic Acid Otic Solution Usp 2% You need a prescription for it. There was a write up in DAN a few years ago. Not as stinky as Ear Beer.

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Acetic acid is vinegar. Your 2% is just a lower % solution than the 1:1 alcohol vinegar mix. There might also be glycerin which is common in "swimmer ear" solution for comfort. Grocery store regular vinegar (white non pickling kind) is usually 5% so that makes it about 2.5% once mixed.

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Originally Posted by Oister

Not as stinky as Ear Beer.

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Shoot...I love smelling like a salad!!!!!

i call it 'dive juice'. i offer it around after dives. hail, caesar (salad)!

I was getting an infection once a year after diving warm fresh water lakes. Three trips to the ENT doc. The third was a different doc, he was amazed at some of the things that the first had done/not done. Anyway, he said it was from the moisture staying in the ear canal. I told him that the alcohol drops irtiated my ear.

I as him about those ear dryers. He thought they were a logical idea, but thought they were expensive. I checked around and found one for $50 at WalMart or Walgreens (It is a Mack's.) I started using it after ever dive (four years ago) and haven't been back to the ENT since.

I get a lot of looks using such a gadety looking thing in my ear, but it works for me. I use it after fresh water, saltwater, and cave dives. Normally will use it on a long surface interval, too.

Holy crap! I just looked on line and they want a hundred bucks! Couldn't I use a hairdrier (on low) or a fan, and aim it into a cone or piece of tubing that I direct at the opening to my ear??????

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Originally Posted by scububa

I was getting an infection once a year after diving warm fresh water lakes. Three trips to the ENT doc. The third was a different doc, he was amazed at some of the things that the first had done/not done. Anyway, he said it was from the moisture staying in the ear canal. I told him that the alcohol drops irtiated my ear.

I as him about those ear dryers. He thought they were a logical idea, but thought they were expensive. I checked around and found one for $50 at WalMart or Walgreens (It is a Mack's.) I started using it after ever dive (four years ago) and haven't been back to the ENT since.

I get a lot of looks using such a gadety looking thing in my ear, but it works for me. I use it after fresh water, saltwater, and cave dives. Normally will use it on a long surface interval, too.

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