More minging ear

[Aquatic Mammal]

Three weeks ago my ear started playing up again (probably the result of swimming daily in a chlorinated pool), didn't let it stop me diving Wraysbury though!

After two weeks of antibiotic ear drops (Locorten-Vioform) my ear still felt "wrong" so I've started treating it with 10% Tea Tree Oil in Olive Oil, after three days it's already feeling better.

Has anyone alse tried this tactic?

[SilvaFish]

Originally Posted by Aquatic Mammal

Three weeks ago my ear started playing up again (probably the result of swimming daily in a chlorinated pool), didn't let it stop me diving Wraysbury though!

After two weeks of antibiotic ear drops (Locorten-Vioform) my ear still felt "wrong" so I've started treating it with 10% Tea Tree Oil in Olive Oil, after three days it's already feeling better.

Has anyone alse tried this tactic?

not tried this, but have treated fungal skin infections with tea tree oil and it works a treat where conventional creams fail. I would be careful with the oil though; if your ears have any moisture in them, then I would imagine that the oil could stop the water from evaporating?

[Neill]

An interesting case of attribution. You aren't attributing the improvement in your condition to the clinically trialled medication that you have used for two weeks. But the recent improvement to the condiments you have recently stuck in your ear hole. Have you tried vinegar and brown paper for headaches. It is great - I recently had a bad head took some paracetamol which didn't immediately work then I swathed my head like a parcel and soaked it in pickling vinegar. Worked a treat.

If you believe it really helps, no really.

Glad your ears are better.

bw

Neill

ps. colour therapy really helped my broken arm.

[ardhill]

Originally Posted by Aquatic Mammal

so I've started treating it with 10% Tea Tree Oil in Olive Oil, after three days it's already feeling better.

I would just like to point out that 10% Tea Tree oil in your ear is plain dangerous.

I have worked with Essential oils for years supplying qualified therapists, hospitals, hospices etc and this is waaaayyy OTT a concentration level. Yes, it may have genuinely have helped. Yes, Tea tree has been proven medically to combat infection. Yes as has been said, it may have been the previous medication you used rather than the tea tree.

But that concentration is ridiculously strong for something so sensitive as the ear drum, personally I wouldn't put an essential oil into the ear at all.

If it worked for you then great, but I do caution anyone else thinking of trying this - you may do permanent damage to you ear.

I am not meaning to 'bad mouth' you or 'run you down' Aquatic Mammal, I am trying to help - you really want to think about not doing that.
.

[Hapless]

I picked up a horrifying outer ear infection a couple of months ago after diving in Coniston. Initially it was so swollen that it took two rounds of antibiotic tabs to ease the head-crushing pain.

After that it still wasn't right so I was given Gentamicin drops based on lab analysis of the green gunge that was flowing out in the early stages. They sorted it nice and quickly.

It was one of the most painful experiences I've had and should be avoided at all costs. I'm now rinsing my ears after every dive and staying well away from cotton buds and the like.

Bottom line is your Quack should be finding out what is living in there and giving you something to wipe it out.

[David]

Originally Posted by Neill

I swathed my head like a parcel and soaked it in pickling vinegar. Worked a treat.

why did people laugh at me in tescos then, I think it was the gaffa tape I used instead of selotape..:-)


funny I still have a head ake
David

[nickb]

Yep, Genticin (Gentamicin) is the stuff you need. Get your quack to write you up a prescription for it.

[broady]

Recently had back-to-back nasty ear infections and my Doc also prescribed Gentisone Gentamicin which promptly sorted it out. He even wrote the prescription to give me plenty to keep in my dive spares box.

Since then I have been using 'Swim-Ear' after every dive and haven't had any further problems.

Cheers

Graham


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[Aquatic Mammal]

Some very interesting comments, thank you people.

Agreed, Gentisone is good stuff, the NHS drop in centre near my work would only give me the Locorten which I've found ineffective (this is my second time with it) and my GP is only open when I'm working

As I swim nearly every day (attempting to stay fit and keep my weight down) I've found overuse of swim-ear caused more problems than it solved so I was looking for something I can use daily to prevent further infections starting. Some sources suggest 50% tea tree so I'm continuing with 5 - 10% and will monitor the situation.

Cheers!

[B]

Suggestion only at this stage... but I used to suffer very similar (without knowing all the details I can not say if the same symptoms) but I was given the advice of solution of 50% vinegar/50% water in ear before going into water... does what swim ear should do only so that body is not bombarded with synthetic stuff... master instructor with emperor recommended it to me.. never looked back and not a single infection since...

Just a suggestion... good luck with it...

b x