Ear Infections

In article <[email hidden]>, "David"

Quoted message said:

Anyone got an idea about how to cover the ears while swimming to keep water out? I swim a lot and
dislike to insert anything in my ears i.e. ear plugs and whatever. I was thinking of wearing a cap
that comes over the ears but can;t find anything in stores like that. Am trying to prevent
infections which I seem to get regularly

My experience with ear infections:

I squirt some isopropyl alchohol in my ears after I swim, with an ear syringe (a small rubber
squeeze bulb, available at any drug store). A mixture of vinegar and alcohol is also effective. My
ear doctor also recommended aiming a hair dryer at my ear, as a simple way of drying out the water.

It¹s also helpful to dip a cotton ball in vaseline and stick that in the ear before taking a shower.
The vaseline makes the plug waterproof.

Ear wax is good protection against otitis externa, and treatment for an infection generally leaves
your ear canal devoid of wax. Although it seems trivial, you might want to take a break from
swimming for a couple of weeks, to let a healthy coat of wax regenerate. And, of course, never put a
Q-tip or anything else into the ear canal.

These measures have largely ended my ongoing battle with infections. When one does develop, though,
I¹ve found an old remedy that¹s very effective: squirt a little Gentian Violet (disinfectant, any
drug store) into the ear. Lie down for a minute with that ear pointing up, to let the disinfectant
work its way down to the eardrum. Then turn over and let it drain out (onto several thicknesses of
paper towels. Careful, it stains, although the stains do wash out after a few launderings). Let your
ear dry for five minutes, and then squirt some Polysporin powder (over-the-counter antibiotic) into
the ear with the syringe. The infection is gone in a couple of hours.

You should then keep water out of the infected ear for several days. Earplugs while showering are a
good idea.

Remedies differ in effectiveness for different people. When I first went to a specialist for ear
infections, he prescribed Cortisporin which, for me, made things worse. He tried a couple of other
things, and then the Gentian Violet/Polysporin. Not only does that work like a charm, but I can do
it myself, as soon as I notice the infection. Doubly effective, since nipping it in the bud is the
way to go.

--
John Rethorst

jrethorst -at- post -dot- com

David, I don't think a swim cap is a good idea unless you have a small head or a very large cap that
can completely seal up your ears. Although a cap might limit the amount of water that gets to your
ear, it can also trap the water that does get in.

I think ear plugs are the way to go, but you just have to find some that are comfortable and that
work for you. Some people like silicon putty that molds to the ear and maybe doesn't "insert" so
far. I prefer some molded plugs made by TYR that come in sizes (S,M,L,XL)... they're thin,
comfortable and don't impair my hearing too much. The trick is just getting the right size.

Or if you don't want to wear plugs, just use some ear drops or alcohol after swimming to help dry
them and keep infection away.

Good luck, -Shannon

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got an idea about how to cover the ears while swimming to keep water out? I swim a lot and
dislike to insert anything in my ears i.e. ear plugs and whatever. I was thinking of wearing a cap
that comes over the ears but can;t find anything in stores like that. Am trying to prevent
infections which I seem to get regularly

Thanks

David (Australia)

"John Rethorst" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, "David"

Quoted message said:

Anyone got an idea about how to cover the ears while swimming to keep

water

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out? I swim a lot and dislike to insert anything in my ears i.e. ear

plugs

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and whatever. I was thinking of wearing a cap that comes over the ears

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can;t find anything in stores like that. Am trying to prevent

infections

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

which I seem to get regularly

My experience with ear infections:

I squirt some isopropyl alchohol in my ears after I swim, with an ear syringe (a small rubber
squeeze bulb, available at any drug store). A mixture of vinegar and alcohol is also
effective. My ear doctor also recommended aiming a hair dryer at my ear, as a simple way of
drying out the water.

It¹s also helpful to dip a cotton ball in vaseline and stick that in the ear before taking a
shower. The vaseline makes the plug waterproof.

Ear wax is good protection against otitis externa, and treatment for an infection generally leaves
your ear canal devoid of wax. Although it seems trivial, you might want to take a break from
swimming for a couple of weeks, to let a healthy coat of wax regenerate. And, of course, never put
a Q-tip or anything else into the ear canal.

These measures have largely ended my ongoing battle with infections. When one does develop,
though, I¹ve found an old remedy that¹s very effective: squirt a little Gentian Violet
(disinfectant, any drug store) into the ear. Lie down for a minute with that ear pointing up, to
let the disinfectant work its way down to the eardrum. Then turn over and let it drain out (onto
several thicknesses of paper towels. Careful, it stains, although the stains do wash out after a
few launderings). Let your ear dry for five minutes, and then squirt some Polysporin powder (over-the-
counter antibiotic) into the ear with the syringe. The infection is gone in a

couple of

Quoted message said:

hours.

You should then keep water out of the infected ear for several days. Earplugs while showering are
a good idea.

Remedies differ in effectiveness for different people. When I first went to a specialist for ear
infections, he prescribed Cortisporin which, for me, made things worse. He tried a couple of other
things, and then the Gentian Violet/Polysporin. Not only does that work like a charm, but I can do
it myself, as soon as I notice the infection. Doubly effective, since nipping it in the bud is the
way to go.

--
John Rethorst

thanks John - will try exactly that - - can't get good advice around here and end up with almost
back to back ear infections! Like the gentian violet/polysporin - thanks for taking the time

Thanks Shannon yes will abandon the idea of the swim cap - will do the drops after swimming - also
will see if I can find the TYR type of plugs as the ones I tried before were uncomfortable.
Appreciate your input

"SDS" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David, I don't think a swim cap is a good idea unless you have a small head or a very large cap
that can completely seal up your ears. Although a cap might limit the amount of water that gets to
your ear, it can also trap the water that does get in.

I think ear plugs are the way to go, but you just have to find some that are comfortable and that
work for you. Some people like silicon putty that molds to the ear and maybe doesn't "insert" so
far. I prefer some molded plugs made by TYR that come in sizes (S,M,L,XL)... they're thin,
comfortable and don't impair my hearing too much. The trick is just getting the right size.

Or if you don't want to wear plugs, just use some ear drops or alcohol after swimming to help dry
them and keep infection away.

Good luck, -Shannon

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Anyone got an idea about how to cover the ears while swimming to keep

water

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out? I swim a lot and dislike to insert anything in my ears i.e. ear

plugs

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and whatever. I was thinking of wearing a cap that comes over the ears

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can;t find anything in stores like that. Am trying to prevent

infections

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

which I seem to get regularly

Thanks

David (Australia)

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks Shannon yes will abandon the idea of the swim cap - will do the drops after swimming - also
will see if I can find the TYR type of plugs as the ones I tried before were uncomfortable.
Appreciate your input

I use "Physician Choice" silicone earplugs. They're not too soft to get inside your ear, but soft
enough to mold to your ear, and be comfortable. TYR ones were too soft for me.

"DaKitty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:6cjOb.38833$zs4.31133@fed1read01...

Quoted message said:

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks Shannon yes will abandon the idea of the swim cap - will do the drops after swimming -
also will see if I can find the TYR type of plugs as the ones

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

tried before were uncomfortable. Appreciate your input

I use "Physician Choice" silicone earplugs. They're not too soft to get inside your ear, but soft
enough to mold to

your

Quoted message said:

ear, and be comfortable. TYR ones were too soft for me.

Thanks for that , I haven't seen them here (Australia) unfortunately - they may be the same as
another brand will check it out

to prevent ear infections from reoccurring, i've always used "burosol"

its a liquid that comes in a bottle with the opening like that on those eye drops

you just tilt your head and get some of that in there.

(it smells just like vinegar, so as someone already mentioned you could probably just use that)

i guess it makes the ear uninhabitable for bacteria or it dries it out or something

it has always worked for me, and i find ear plugs to be a big hassle

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got an idea about how to cover the ears while swimming to keep

water

Quoted message said:

out? I swim a lot and dislike to insert anything in my ears i.e. ear

plugs

Quoted message said:

and whatever. I was thinking of wearing a cap that comes over the ears but can;t find anything in
stores like that. Am trying to prevent infections which I seem to get regularly

Thanks

David (Australia)

"tbone" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

to prevent ear infections from reoccurring, i've always used "burosol"

its a liquid that comes in a bottle with the opening like that on those

eye

Quoted message said:

drops

you just tilt your head and get some of that in there.

(it smells just like vinegar, so as someone already mentioned you could probably just use that)

thanks for that - it's probably similar - wish I knew about this stuff years ago -

Quoted message said:

i guess it makes the ear uninhabitable for bacteria or it dries it out or something

it has always worked for me, and i find ear plugs to be a big hassle

"David" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone got an idea about how to cover the ears while swimming to keep

water

Quoted message said:

out? I swim a lot and dislike to insert anything in my ears i.e. ear

plugs

Quoted message said:

and whatever. I was thinking of wearing a cap that comes over the ears

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can;t find anything in stores like that. Am trying to prevent

infections

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

which I seem to get regularly

Thanks

David (Australia)

"tbone" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

to prevent ear infections from reoccurring, i've always used "burosol"

its a liquid that comes in a bottle with the opening like that on those

eye

Quoted message said:

drops

you just tilt your head and get some of that in there.

(it smells just like vinegar, so as someone already mentioned you could probably just use that)

i guess it makes the ear uninhabitable for bacteria or it dries it out or something

it has always worked for me, and i find ear plugs to be a big hassle

The vinegar creates an acidic environment and the alcohol dries the area. So mix the two in a little
squeeze bottle and put some in your ears after swimming. No need to buy anything expensive. The only
extra ingredient the store-bought liquids have in them is glycerin. And I have never had an ear
infection....

Pat

"Pat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"tbone" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

to prevent ear infections from reoccurring, i've always used "burosol"

its a liquid that comes in a bottle with the opening like that on those

eye

Quoted message said:

drops

you just tilt your head and get some of that in there.

(it smells just like vinegar, so as someone already mentioned you could probably just use that)

i guess it makes the ear uninhabitable for bacteria or it dries it out

or

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

something

it has always worked for me, and i find ear plugs to be a big hassle

The vinegar creates an acidic environment and the alcohol dries the area. So mix the two in a
little squeeze bottle and put some in your ears after swimming. No need to buy anything expensive.
The only extra ingredient

the

Quoted message said:

store-bought liquids have in them is glycerin. And I have never had an

ear

Quoted message said:

infection....

yup, mild alcohol and vinegar to change the ph and dry it out. doctor recommended

Quoted message said:

Pat

"Pat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"tbone" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

to prevent ear infections from reoccurring, i've always used "burosol"

its a liquid that comes in a bottle with the opening like that on those

eye

Quoted message said:

drops

you just tilt your head and get some of that in there.

(it smells just like vinegar, so as someone already mentioned you could probably just use that)

i guess it makes the ear uninhabitable for bacteria or it dries it out

or

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

something

it has always worked for me, and i find ear plugs to be a big hassle

The vinegar creates an acidic environment and the alcohol dries the area. So mix the two in a
little squeeze bottle and put some in your ears after swimming. No need to buy anything expensive.
The only extra ingredient

the

Quoted message said:

store-bought liquids have in them is glycerin. And I have never had an

ear

Quoted message said:

infection....

Pat

In what proportion do you mix the vinegar and alcohol?

In article <[email hidden]>, "David"

Quoted message said:

In what proportion do you mix the vinegar and alcohol?

It's not critical. Half and half works fine for me.

--
John Rethorst

jrethorst -at- post -dot- com