Swimmers ear > General Discussion

Posted: 6/5/2016 5:36:59 PM EDT

Had a pool put in a couple months ago for the kids (5 and 8) and they're in and out multiple times a day. Wondering if they're any recommended preventative ear drops that anyones used in the past with good results.

Posted: 6/5/2016 5:38:29 PM EDT

[#1]

Most of them are just an isopropyl alcohol drop. Nothing special really.

Posted: 6/5/2016 5:40:25 PM EDT

[#2]

We had a pool when we were living in AZ growing up. Swam EVERYDAY, never had a problem, none of us 5 kids.

Posted: 6/5/2016 5:40:47 PM EDT

[#3]

Mix 50/50 white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol. The vinegar keeps shit from growing and the alcohol dries out any water in the ear.

Posted: 6/5/2016 5:42:54 PM EDT

[#4]

Where's the diving board?

Posted: 6/5/2016 5:43:57 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
Most of them are just an isopropyl alcohol drop. Nothing special really.

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Yep. You can get it straight and dilute it some, or just get the stuff from the store. Used this for many ears working in Boy Scout Aquatics, both pool and nasty lake, and it always worked.

Posted: 6/5/2016 5:44:59 PM EDT

[#6]

The Navy developed a specific procedure performed before entry in the water. Basically it was isopropyl alcohol drops in each ear for 60 seconds.
What typically causes swimmers ear isn't the foreign bacteria in the water, but actually the normal bacteria in your ear entering the inner layers of the skin when the fissures in the outer layer of skin swell open due to water immersion.

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Posted: 6/5/2016 5:46:15 PM EDT

[#7]

Had it a lot as a kid, and had tubes put in my ears. Just need to get the water out. Rubbing alcohol helps. Couple drops. Lay with ear containing the water downward, let gravity do the work. My family has narrow estucheon tubes, so prone to ear problems.

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:02:26 PM EDT

[#8]

betadine/alcohol works well too.

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:05:50 PM EDT

[#9]

rubbing alcohol is the cheapest..few drops after swimming in both ears...shake out. keeps the ears dry and healthy. Swam 6 days a week 3 hours a day for nearly 5 years.

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:20:03 PM EDT

[#10]

I've had swimmer's ear more times than I can count. The the most recent time...about 4 years ago...was extreme. My ear canal swelled shut it was so swollen.

So now I use the 50/50 vinegar rubbing alcohol hooch...even after showering.

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:24:00 PM EDT

[#11]

Usually never happens unless the kids are underwater (flips etc).

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:24:59 PM EDT

[#12]

Had to use Bourbon one time while camping. It works too.

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:26:10 PM EDT

[#13]

boric acid solution prior to swimming (prevention)
then boric acid - alcohol (for drying out the water) add a little olive oil to it to keep the ear tissue from drying out and irritated.
or buy the commercial product "Swim Ear" at Walmart

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:29:39 PM EDT

[#14]

Don't let it get out of hand. I had swimmer's ear throughout most of my childhood. Now my left ear drum is almost gone and 80% of my hearing is gone. I should have had tubes in my ears.

Posted: 6/5/2016 6:39:14 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Mix 50/50 white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol. The vinegar keeps shit from growing and the alcohol dries out any water in the ear.

View Quote

This is the answer, as a diver I've used this mix for decades, I used to be very prone to ear infections.

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