What are your swimmers ear/ear infection tips?

[AniaR]

So full disclosure: you don't need to lecture me to see a doctor after you read this post ;) lol

I suffer from pretty extreme ear infections, I have since I was a kid. I used to get 5-10 a year at least. As a pre-teen I figured out getting any kind of water in my ear even in small amounts would cause the infections, so I changed my whole lifestyle to prevent that. We're talking shower water, bath water, rain water, tears lol the whole 9 yards. If I cry and get tears in my ears it'll get infected!

As a kid I had the tube surgery. As an adult I am trying to push to have a more permanent fix. However, in 7 years I haven't had an infection because I am super paranoid and do everything I can to prevent!

Even as a mermaid, I use ear plugs (clear silicone puddy) and I just never ever get my ears wet.

I also have trouble equalizing, and going on airplanes. My hope is to have surgery so I can one day get scuba certified (can't do that with ear plugs!)

Anyway, I usually wear ear plugs and follow it up with special drops to help prevent swimmers ear.

Last Sunday I had a gig wear my old nasty disintgrating ear plugs (my own fault for not replacing them sooner) and one fell out. It was only out for a moment but it was enough I got too much water in my ear. For two days now I was fearing the ear infection. I wasn't getting the usual slight pop when you swallow and I could feel a blockages. I treated as best I could with the swimmer ear drops, but for the first time in 7 years I am in full blown ear infection mode :(

Now because of my autoimmune issues, oral antibiotics just don't work. Not only do they not work, they make me sicker, and give raging feminine issues. So I got some strong antibiotic ear drops, pain killers, and hot compresses. I usually fine the first 24 hours SUCK for pain and popping. I took 800mg tylenol and 500mg ibuprofine (these are pre-approved numbers by my doc) and it barely took the edge off. I'm sitting here feeling like I've got an ear full of barbed wire laced cotton :( and if the pain doesnt clear up over night I'm heading to the doc in the morning who will probably give me narcotic pain killers. (Because I also have chronic pain, I have too high a tolerance for pain killers)

Anyway, I wanna hear your tips and tricks for preventing, and dealing with swimmers ear/ear infections. It's likely I've tried them all, haha but you never know! Plus the thread might help someone else.

*disclaimer: I'm a special situation. If you think you have an ear infection it's best to go see your doc right away and get the right meds for you*

[Arella]

I've just always used the swimmers ear drops after each swim and so far so good : ) (I also had tubes as an infant)

[Blondie]

My friend taught me by putting one part vinegar and one part rubbing alcohol in your ear can help with ear infections! The Mayo Clinic also recommends it! http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swimmers-ear/basics/prevention/con-20014723

Have you checked Pinterest? I've found some amazing DIY remedies there

[AniaR]

yeah I tried tea tree oil first and it felt nice but as the pain got really bad really fast I'm inclined to think the infection is bad. so I had to go right to the hard stuff.

[BlueMermaid]

I have an ear vacuum, an ear dryer, and in case of infection, use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and alcohol. This has worked really good for me and mermaid stella.
http://naturalsociety.com/swimmer%E2%80%99s-ear-treatment/

[AniaR]

I've never heard of ear vaccums and ear dryers, I'll have to look into that! Blue, I think you're the only other mermaid (that I know of) who has to deal with as much health crap as I do lol. We're a real pair of broken bodies trying to make it work for the love of it!

[BlueMermaid]

Here is the ear dryer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W9PCJS/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is the wax vac: http://www.amazon.com/Rarelove-Ear-Wax-Cleaning-Device/dp/B00DVGFUQ4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1397655163&sr=8-5&keywords=wax+vac

I really can't tell you for sure if they work, but I haven't had an ear infection in a while since I got them.

Yes, this job is truly for the love of it! I know people without chronic illnesses that couldn't stick with this job! I think we both have an extra big heart for the kids which makes us even more drawn to it and willing to suffer for them :)


I've never heard of ear vaccums and ear dryers, I'll have to look into that! Blue, I think you're the only other mermaid (that I know of) who has to deal with as much health crap as I do lol. We're a real pair of broken bodies trying to make it work for the love of it!

[Echidna]

Since I use eardrops/vinegar-alcohol solutions, I haven't had swimmers ear (and my eardrum has been opened as a child and been perforated again by an idiot doctor a few years ago).
I still get pain, pressure and the like of course, especially if I was in a colder water, but I know it's just my usual crap (resistant to antibiotics), so I chill and it goes away on its own.

Btw, Raina, from all the issues you describe, I'd check (if you haven't already) whether you have Lyme too.
If it has been misdiagnosed or never tested, it can develop hundreds of totally different issues, and as someone who has suffered from that crap for over a decade, I wouldn't be surprised one bit if all, or nearly all, of your problems would be caused by that.

[AniaR]

Yes we have Lyme ticks here and I was bitten about 12 years ago but doctors act like it doesn't exist. However I have always been very sick I was born 4 months premature and the drugs they used were linked to autoimmune issues.

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[Echidna]

Yes we have Lyme ticks here and I was bitten about 12 years ago but doctors act like it doesn't exist.
urrg, they do that everywhere. It doesn't help that it's difficult to diagnose, not to mention treat.
if you only had one tick though and don't feel like you got any new problems afterward, you have gotten lucky.

It's just that I know so many cases who have been treated for "autoimmune" diseases (Fibromyalgia, MS, rheumatism, arthritis, and the good ol' depression/hypochondria) who got better after they finally found out they had Lyme and got it treated.

Lyme also worsens already existent sicknesses to a large degree, so if you can find any competent doc (that's the hardest part really), I'd try to get it tested if the symptoms match.

[AniaR]

from what I've read I've actually already had the recommended course of antibiotics they use to treat it with several times since then. so who knows!!

[Echidna]

ye, in that case I probably wouldn't bother either, even though the "official Lyme treatment"- 2 weeks of antibiotics- doesn't cure most people because many strains are largely (or entirely) immune to antibiotics :p
so a doctor wouldn't be of much help anyway lol.

[Fun123joker]

My hope is to have surgery so I can one day get scuba certified (can't do that with ear plugs!)


wait so they cant accept that your ear(s) are hydrophobic?

( im sorry but all i can think about is when van gouh cut his ear off. that is what not to do)

[AniaR]

you cant wear ear plugs down past a certain depth the pressure becomes too strong and you cant equalize and bust your ear drums. it's unsafe. that's why I can't get scuba certified til I have surgery. You need to be able to equalize and I can't

[Mermaid Margo]

I'm sitting here with my head tilted right now because I have swimmer's ear. I'm especially prone to it as well; used to get awful infections as a child and had to have my ears drained all the time before my otolaryngologist made me a pair of plugs that were molded just for me. But they're old, I need a new pair, and I tried swimming without them the other day. Big mistake. -.- I'm hoping that some cheap Walgreen's drops will clear it up since it's just, just started. But I've tried heat, suction, etc. etc. None of it ever seems to work for me unfortunately. =/

[BlueMermaid]

Try a mix of 50/50 rubbing alcohol and apple cider vinegar. It has saved me a few times and also my mermaid friend Stella twice from having to go get antibiotics. Drop it in your ear 2-3 times a day, let set for as long as you can. Do it till your ear feels better or longer to ensure it doesn't return.


I'm sitting here with my head tilted right now because I have swimmer's ear. I'm especially prone to it as well; used to get awful infections as a child and had to have my ears drained all the time before my otolaryngologist made me a pair of plugs that were molded just for me. But they're old, I need a new pair, and I tried swimming without them the other day. Big mistake. -.- I'm hoping that some cheap Walgreen's drops will clear it up since it's just, just started. But I've tried heat, suction, etc. etc. None of it ever seems to work for me unfortunately. =/

[AniaR]

I really wanna learn to scuba dive but I can't see me ever doing it with ears this bad :(

[Mermaid Margo]

It went away! Either those cheap drops are amazing or all the water came out, I'm not sure which. Thank the Goddess.

I'd love to scuba too, but I have the same problem. =/ I can only imagine how much the ear surgeries are.

[Arella]

I get swimmers ear anytime I go under water :( I just keep those drops in my mermaid bag and scuba bag and swim bag set thing for me is to put them in immediately after swimming and then later at night before bed

[Aubrey]

If you can get your hands on Ciprodex drops they work miracles. I also have tubes in and out of my ears, and I get ear infections when I'm not even swimming. But my most recent problem is right after I have surgeries the nurses shove my hearing aids in my ears and they're dry from the OR, and it's not really an infection but it hurts, a lot. My parents always bring the Ciprodex drops because it takes the pain away so quickly, and it kills any bacteria or infection. If I get swimmers ear I'll just put drops in before I go to bed and I'm solid when I wake up. They are prescription though, so they might be a little pricey for even just the 7.5 mL bottle, but it has lasted me almost four years and I use it on the regular. If you can get ahold of it, get it!

[Emmadives]

I'm a scuba diver and aspiring mermaid (waiting for my first tail to arrive now!) and I use ear drops from my scuba shop (mostly alcohol) after repetitive dives. Some people I dive with use these special earplugs that have holes in the middle to allow for equalizing that minimize the amount of water that can get into your ears. I think this is the product: http://www.diversdirect.com/scuba-diving/docs-pro-plugs-for-diving/?utm_source=GooglePLA&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping+Feeds&gclid=CKHP2rvL88ECFUUV7Aod_UwALQ

[AniaR]

where can we find sizing info about those. I see they have default sizes but no way of seeing what each size is. I'd love to try them

[AniaR]

nvm I found it and just bought a pair

[Emmadives]

That's great--I hope they work out for you!

[Miyu]

How do you size them? I can't find the link either :/

[Emmadives]

I think there are kits that give you a variety of sizes if you don't know your size: http://www.proplugs.com/mm5/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RFCO&Category_Code=fitting&Store_Code=proplugs And there is also a sizing kit you can buy: http://www.proplugs.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=proplugs&Category_Code=Fitting_Set

[Mermaid Wesley]

I just saw some of these at a local dive shop. If you have any dive shops nearby you should check there first, as they might have the sizing kits.


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[Mermaid Enora]

I use 50/50 rubbing alcohol and white vinegar after swimming and that usually stops most of my problems
i can't equalize my ears underwater either can equalize on a plane of sitting in a car but never underwater
ive had tubes in my ears when I was little too and ruptured my ear last summer at Balmorhea st park
i can't go any deeper than about 10 ft but it was soooo pretty underwater I just had to go farther bad idea
sfter they ruptured I really couldn't tell and when I got home I put my regular solution in my ears....BAD idea felt like a hot knife was being twisted in my brain �� got some ciprodex and hydrocodone and it felt better 3 weeks later
ive tried all kinds of earplugs but they just fall out in the water

[Coradion]

You can put in a few drops of hydrogen peroxide too, just dilute it a bit with water.

[Merman Chatfish]

I got my first ear infection about 7 years ago after doing many up and downs scuba diving and another this last summer from cleaning alge from the bottom of our pool. Since my first ear infection my ears always cause me trouble, some days they just hurt even when I haven't been near water. I do use the rubbing achohal trick to. What is really bad is I teach preschool swim lessons so you need to really be able to hear them, but when they splash and it goes flying into your ear that really hurts.

[Lucinda]

This might be a silly question, but do ear infections always hurt? Or is it possible to have one without knowing it?

[Mermaid Riia]

Sometimes it doesn't hurt, but you do feel a slight pressure or you just feel something is not how it's supposed to be. I had ear infection due to mermaiding in late 2014. No pain whatsoever. I just one day sat down to relax and POP goes my ear. I felt dizzy for good 5 minutes. Went to see doctor and he just calmly stated " yup that's an infection, but it's almost gone now so no need for any medication or procedures" Oookay... if you say so. O_O weirdest. ear. infection. ever...

Has anyone else experienced anything similiar?

[Lucinda]

OK, good to know.

[Fun123joker]

i remeber when i was little i had ear problems and what my mother would always do was pour hot oil (or was it vinegar?i thing it was oil) into my ear. it always felt so good =v=

[Mermaid Enora]

Hot oil sounds not so good it was probably vinegar
vinegar dries water fast inside your ear without residue

[Mary Marine]

When I was a child I had horrible, debilitating ear infections. I nearly had tubes put in my ear despite being almost too old for them, but then a doctor suggested using a nasal decongestant spray. It got rid of the pain 100% and let the infection heal.

Ear infection happen when the Eustachian tubes swell shut and fluid builds up in the inner ear, putting pressure on the eardrum. Decongestants open up the nasal passages as well as your Eustachian tubes, which lets the fluid drain back out into your throat, relieving the pressure. They also make it easier to equalize during diving. But you have to be careful with them because the active ingredient is addictive and you can become reliant on them. Not fun.

[Gem Stone]

My grandfather came up with this little mixture he does. It's vinegar, alcohol, and something else. You come smelling like salad, but hey, no ear pain. I have small estation (sorry that's the wrong spelling. Please refer to the post above for correct spelling of the word) tubes and often have ear problems, especially when diving. It takes me so long to clear my ears, it's ridiculous. But I have less problems when free diving, it's odd.
Point being, we use this stuff every time we get done swimming and it works. Even got rid of my swimmers ear once. I'll call him and get that last ingredient for anyone who wants to make it.

[Mermaid Pickles]

water maybe? Sounds like what my mom uses. She uses the vinegar alcohol stuff too.

[Merfin_Aurora_Oceania]

I wear clear ear putty, its brilliant and also since your ears are connected to your ears and your throat (if you re not around other people) wear a nose clasp it'll help prevent any extra water from clogging up :)

I have the same as yourself, I must go swimming with some type of ear protection.

[mijomuffins]

I use ear plugs, and we are scuplting ear fins to cover them. I will post pictures when we are done. We will be matching the find to my tail. I also have to wear a nose plug...I am super prone to issues, and we are covering that with scales to just make me more fishy. I am a Mernerd....as it were, so I have similar issues. I will definitely post photos up, and maybe we can sell some to those who need the plug covers.

[Ciriun]

With the suggested vinegar and alcohol mix, how do you get it in your ear? Do you get some sort of dropper to fill with it?

I haven't had an infection yet, but once water gets into my ears it does not want to come out. I try equalizing, jumping up and down, leaving my head on sideways, none of it works. Usually it finally comes out during the night while I'm sleeping, but that can still leave me dizzy and with swishy sounds in my ears for hours which is less than fun.

[BlueMermaid]

Yes, you can purchase one at the drug store and just do a 50/50 mix. There is also stuff you can buy that is for swimmers ears.

I also have a ear vac and an ear dryer and I use both of those when I have water stuck in my ear. They don't always take it all out but they do help.


With the suggested vinegar and alcohol mix, how do you get it in your ear? Do you get some sort of dropper to fill with it?

I haven't had an infection yet, but once water gets into my ears it does not want to come out. I try equalizing, jumping up and down, leaving my head on sideways, none of it works. Usually it finally comes out during the night while I'm sleeping, but that can still leave me dizzy and with swishy sounds in my ears for hours which is less than fun.

[Merman Chatfish]

I have seen the ear vac but not ear dryer. How well do they work for you?

[BlueMermaid]

A good head tilt and shake work better lol but I can't really say for sure how great they work, it's not going to get it all out but it helps a little.


I have seen the ear vac but not ear dryer. How well do they work for you?

[Ciriun]

Okay, I got the chance to try the vinegar/alcohol mix (mine is probably a little heavy on the vineger.) It did work, but either from the water or the treatment my ears have been hurting a bit, I'm guessing that isn't normal. So far it's just a minor discomfort, but if it gets worse or keeps happening I'll be getting in touch with my doctor to make sure there isn't some other problem going on.

Also wanted to note I didn't have a dropper on hand, but I've got a travel size squeeze bottle which seems to suffice.

[BlueMermaid]

Pain might be from an infection. Put the drops in your painful ear 3 times a day, and lay down and let it soak for 5 minutes, or as long as you can. If the pain starts getting bad, go to the doctor, but me and my other mermaid friend have been able to cure the infections with the drops before they get bad and need antibiotics.


Okay, I got the chance to try the vinegar/alcohol mix (mine is probably a little heavy on the vineger.) It did work, but either from the water or the treatment my ears have been hurting a bit, I'm guessing that isn't normal. So far it's just a minor discomfort, but if it gets worse or keeps happening I'll be getting in touch with my doctor to make sure there isn't some other problem going on.

Also wanted to note I didn't have a dropper on hand, but I've got a travel size squeeze bottle which seems to suffice.