Swimmer's Ear

[Way2Broke]

I have a case of swimmer's ear. My right ear will clear, but sometimes it takes some work to do so. It kindove pops and cracks when I clear it. Can anyone recommend a treatment? Would you fly with this? What about low altitude flying (1000-2000ft) Also, I am due for my medical this month, should I be paranoid about getting it done before this clears up?

 

[Say Again Over]

I once went flying while I was congested, fluid ended up getting into the inner ear via the Eustachian tubes while at altitude, I had a similar problem on one ear, turned into an infection, eardrum was noticeably red. My treatment was some ear drops and antibiotics. If you have to fly I wouldn't think one or two thousand would be a problem.

 

[Way2Broke]

Thanks! Are the ear drops and pills over the counter?

 

[Say Again Over]

Nope, went to the doc when I started feeling a pain, grounded me for two weeks.

 

[Way2Broke]

Something I could go to a walk-in clinic for I assume?

 

[Gorilla]

BE CAREFUL... flying with ear problems can cause damage that will become chronic. You'll be prone to ear issues for a long time.

High-doses of Sudafed, say about 4 to 6 of those little red pills, in a real emergency, will open the block, and also give you a 3X star-bux grande case of the jitters. I've tried Afrin, and while it cleans out the nose it doesn't seem to help much for ears for some reason.

If bacterial, you need antibiotics. Get 'em from your doc, or if in Mexico, OTC. Augmentin or Amoxicillin, 500 mg 2X / day, for 10 days, no less. You didn't hear that from me, that's just a street rumor! Seriously, don't self-medicate, see a non-aviation doc. A walk-in clinic will work.

 

[Kaudbron]

this is only for water thats in the ear, not a block, ex. if you turn your head the wrong way underwater and now everything sounds funny.... then dab some rubbing alcohol in your ear with a Q-tip. I had an ex that did this after swimming practices. It will burn alittle but did the trick for me. Im not a doctor (whoda thunk) so I don't know if any side effects are involved with this.

 

[414Flyer]

Swimmers ear is when you get a bacterial infection by your eardrum, and tends to happen when you are young, because at that point in your growing, the ear canals are not horizontal, but slope inward somewhat, trapping water

As for an ear blockage, thats a different matter. I got one once, both eardrums were doing it, and it was wax, pushed back by qtips. The Doc recommended NOT using q-tips to remove wax, because it pushes some wax back. Just recommended using a washcloth to get what you can, the rest usually takes care of itself naturally.

 

[RockyMnt1]

Swimmer's ear

I use a mixture of 1/3 rubbing alcohol and 2/3 vinegar. I just put a few drops in my ears after I swim. Seems to keep the swimmers ear away for me.

 

[CargoATRdriver]

Swimmers ear is when you get a bacterial infection by your eardrum, and tends to happen when you are young, because at that point in your growing, the ear canals are not horizontal, but slope inward somewhat, trapping water

As for an ear blockage, thats a different matter. I got one once, both eardrums were doing it, and it was wax, pushed back by qtips. The Doc recommended NOT using q-tips to remove wax, because it pushes some wax back. Just recommended using a washcloth to get what you can, the rest usually takes care of itself naturally.

Reason #692 NOT to use hotel washcloths.

 

[MFRskyknight]

As for an ear blockage, thats a different matter. I got one once, both eardrums were doing it, and it was wax, pushed back by qtips. The Doc recommended NOT using q-tips to remove wax, because it pushes some wax back. Just recommended using a washcloth to get what you can, the rest usually takes care of itself naturally.

I had one of those about two months ago for four days...ended up seeing a doc who spend 45 minutes with a pulsing water gun blasting wax off my eardrums. Not fun. Stay away from the Q-Tips, kids!!!

MFR

 

[retired guy]

Do not screw around with ear problems. Get to a doctor. About 6 years ago, my wife had similar ear problems, refused to go get it looked after. Ear was so infected that the infection ruptured her left ear drum, spread infection into the lining of her brain, caused mennengitis. I hauled her to the hospital, in a coma. Darn near died. Go to the doctor.

 

[mpflies2]

If you go to wal-mart and get the swimmers ear drops, and look at the ingrediants, you'll see its like 99.5% Isopropyl alcohol. If you buy the swimmers ear stuff its a few bucks for a small bottle....if you just get the isopropyl alcohol you can get like 2 bottles for a dollar at dollar tree....haha

Marc

 

[Say Again Over]

Not to change the subject but does anyone use ear candles, a friend of mine turned me onto these things and I feel the do a great job, an example:http://www.bibkit.com/earcones.html

 

[dskflyr]

I have a case of swimmer's ear. My right ear will clear, but sometimes it takes some work to do so. It kindove pops and cracks when I clear it. Can anyone recommend a treatment? Would you fly with this? What about low altitude flying (1000-2000ft) Also, I am due for my medical this month, should I be paranoid about getting it done before this clears up?

What you're describing is eustachian tube dysfunction. Swimmer's ear is actually an external otitis (outer ear infection) which is common especially in those that use q-tips. Your symptoms may be from a cold or allergies. Psuedoephedrine or phenylephrine decongestants can help but you can't fly while taking them. If it's allergies, then I would recommend Flonase nasal spray and Allegra 180mg. The Flonase is a long term preventative and takes about 3 weeks of daily use to be effective. Both are acceptable to the FAA. I would definitely see an ENT physician if the symptoms don't resolve with the above treatments.

 

[dskflyr]

Not to change the subject but does anyone use ear candles, a friend of mine turned me onto these things and I feel the do a great job, an example:http://www.bibkit.com/earcones.html

A recent peer reviewed study showed that candling is not effective for cerumen removal or correcting eustachian tube dysfunction. I occasionally see damage that was the result of candling. Usually not permanent damage though.

 

[dskflyr]

this is only for water thats in the ear, not a block, ex. if you turn your head the wrong way underwater and now everything sounds funny.... then dab some rubbing alcohol in your ear with a Q-tip. I had an ex that did this after swimming practices. It will burn alittle but did the trick for me. Im not a doctor (whoda thunk) so I don't know if any side effects are involved with this.

Alcohol does a good job of getting water ot of your ears. I wouldn't use a q-tip. Try to find dropper bottle and place 4-6 drops in your canal. I like 50/50 alcohol and white vineagar. The vineagar changes the pH which keeps fungus from taking hold. the most important thing is to 'not put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear". Your ears are self cleaning. Just use your finger and a wash cloth.

 

[dskflyr]

Warning!!!

Forgot to add that if you suspect you have a ruptured eardrum DON'T PUT ANYTHING in your ear. See your ENT. Usually a rupture due to infection or rapid descent will heal itself in about 6 weeks.

 

[414Flyer]

Not to change the subject but does anyone use ear candles, a friend of mine turned me onto these things and I feel the do a great job, an example:http://www.bibkit.com/earcones.html

Wanna buy some gas pills, or structured water too?

 

[dskflyr]

Couldn't Resist

I think candling works better if you have your copper Chi Chi bracelet on! LOL