Guest guest Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Keep swimmer's ear at bay with drops and plugs CONNIE MIDEY The Arizona Republic http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php? page=living & story_id=061504e1_swimmersear Gannett News Service Hannah Sandrolini, 9, a member of Arizona Aqua Stars synchronized swim team, has battled swimmer's ear twice this year. Swimmer's ear doesn't have to be the uninvited guest spoiling your kids' - or your - fun in the water this summer. Hannah Sandrolini, 9, a member of the Arizona Aqua Stars synchronized swim team who spends hours in the pool, often upside down, has yanked the welcome mat and set out the eardrops and earplugs instead. The Gilbert girl, a fourth-grader at Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School, has had two of the outer-ear infections since March. " It would go away, " says Helen Sandrolini, Hannah's mom, " then she'd have another meet and be in the water for two days solid and it would flare right up again. " But even showering or irritating the skin by using cotton swabs can lead to swimmer's ear. Moisture trapped in the ear canal provides a playground for bacteria and fungi, says pediatrician Alan Chang, who practices in Gilbert. advertisement " For children who are in the water constantly, " he says, " it's a good idea to buy over-the-counter drops for swimmer's ear. Or even cheaper, you can mix equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. " The alcohol is drying and the acetic acid in vinegar lowers the pH in the ears, decreasing the chances that bacteria and fungi will grow, Chang says. Earplugs help, but small amounts of water still can leak into the ears. If symptoms of swimmer's ear show up despite precautions - if you notice ongoing, low-grade pain (especially when the ear is touched), a wet, itchy feeling or drainage - home remedies need medical reinforcement. Swimmer's ear usually is a fairly benign condition that can be treated with antibiotic eardrops, Chang says, but a middle-ear infection is potentially more serious and requires oral antibiotics. The last time Hannah had swimmer's ear she also had an infection of the middle ear that would have gone undiagnosed had her mother not taken her to the doctor. " Prevention has saved us a lot of trips to the doctor, " Helen Sandrolini says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Note the reference to fungal infections here: http://health.allrefer.com/health/swimmers-ear-info.html Swimmer's ear (otitis externa) is fairly common, especially among teenagers and young adults. Swimming in polluted water is one way to contract swimmer's ear. Swimming is not the only cause, however -- the condition can be caused by scratching the ear or an object stuck in it. Trying to clean wax from the ear canal, especially with cotton swabs or small objects, can irritate or damage the skin. Swimmer's ear is occasionally associated with middle ear infection (otitis media) or upper respiratory infections such as colds. Moisture in the ear predisposes the ear to infection from fungus or water-loving bacteria such as Pseudomonas. **************************************** I had it from a fungus infection.... > > > I had a lot of ear pain and pressure while I was in my school. Another thing > was a high, but dull, prolonged ring. My local Dr. always told me it was a > sinus problem but I haven't had any of those symptoms since I left 2 yrs. ago. > One adult in the school was told he had swimmers ear but it was the middle > of winter and he is not a swimmer in any month of the year!! It is amazing what > Drs. diagnose us with!!!! > Sue > > I have ear pain, and have for years in my sick building school. > Ear nose throat lady was of little help. > I dont feel it much since Ive been out of the space, but on days like > yesterday, where I have to surface in society (hopital blood testing > yesterday) it surfaces. > I have a feeling like its infected, sore etc. > From exposures ? Anyone get this? > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2006 Report Share Posted April 21, 2006 Posted on Sun, Aug. 14, 2005 HEALTH COLUMN | DR. DARRELL KLOTZ http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/12379989.htm You don't have to swim to get `swimmer's ear' Painful inflammation of ear canal can be bacterial or fungal Otitis externa, an infection of the very thin skin lining of the ear canal, is more commonly known as " swimmer's ear. " However, this condition of ear pain, itching, foul discharge and decreased hearing can develop in anyone -- swimmers and nonswimmers alike. This infection is unlike the common ear infection of childhood, which involves an infection of the middle ear space (behind the eardrum), and its treatment requires a different approach. Bacteria or fungus causes swimmer's ear. Excessive moisture, humidity and heat in the ear canal or trauma to the skin lining, or both, may begin the process of an infection. Cerumen, or ear wax, is acidic and provides an oily coating to the ear canal, preventing bacterial or fungal growth. Those at highest risk for swimmer's ear are people overzealous in cleaning the cerumen or in scratching their ears with Q-Tips or other objects (e.g. paper clips, pens, etc.), or who block off circulation of air into the ear by wearing things like hearing aids, helmets, headphones or earplugs. Some people are at risk simply because they were born with narrow ear canals. For swimmers, the dirty water found in lakes, ponds and rivers is notoriously worse than swimming pool water for causing an infection. This infection is more common in temperate climates and during the summer months. Fortunately, treatment of this type of ear infection is fairly simple. Frequent cleansing of the ear canal with a few drops of a diluted white vinegar solution will often treat mild infections without needing antibiotics. The vinegar solution changes the acidity of the ear canal, deterring growth of the infection. However, in most cases, topical ear drops (antibiotic or antifungal) are required in addition to vinegar irrigation. Often the appearance of the infection can give clues as to whether the infection is fungal or bacterial, guiding your doctor in selecting the correct topical ear drop without performing a culture. Taking a culture is a simple, painless procedure that allows your doctor to learn more about the type of bacteria present in the ear and may be recommended if your swimmer's ear becomes a chronic problem. Oral antibiotics or antifungals are seldom used in treating routine, uncomplicated cases of swimmer's ear. They are generally used only in situations of severe infection where the outside portion of the ear or the lymph nodes around the ear become involved, or in cases of chronic infection that do not seem to respond to ear drops and irrigations. Sometimes the ear can contain so much swelling and inflammation that the ear canal closes and a small sponge or " wick " needs to be inserted to keep the canal open while administering the ear drops. Often your doctor will suction the debris from the canal initially and on later visits, to enhance the effectiveness of the ear drops that you are applying at home. While treatment is in progress, it is recommended to keep any further water from entering the canal during showering, swimming, etc. As with many things in medicine, prevention can go a long way. Good ear hygiene is important to prevent infections of the ear canal. Cleansing your ear with a few drops of mild-vinegar solution after swimming or scuba diving is a good idea, particularly if you are someone who has repeated difficulty with swimmer's ear. Q-Tips should never be used to remove residual water or wax from the inner portion of the ear (provides a small break in the skin of the ear canal, allowing easy introduction of the infection). Remember the old adage, " You shouldn't be putting anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. " At least that's what my grandmother used to say. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Dr. Darrell Klotz is an otolaryngologist on staff at Gaston Memorial Hospital. > > > > > > I had a lot of ear pain and pressure while I was in my school. Another thing > > was a high, but dull, prolonged ring. My local Dr. always told me it was a > > sinus problem but I haven't had any of those symptoms since I left 2 yrs. ago. > > One adult in the school was told he had swimmers ear but it was the middle > > of winter and he is not a swimmer in any month of the year!! It is amazing what > > Drs. diagnose us with!!!! > > Sue > > > > I have ear pain, and have for years in my sick building school. > > Ear nose throat lady was of little help. > > I dont feel it much since Ive been out of the space, but on days like > > yesterday, where I have to surface in society (hopital blood testing > > yesterday) it surfaces. > > I have a feeling like its infected, sore etc. > > From exposures ? Anyone get this? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 Dear Sharon, There are many suggestions in the " Ear Treatments " file. When I had these problems I found the hot baths themselves helped heal my ears. Just give the baths at night to allow her ears to drain. I also rinsed my ears with peroxide, though I learned later that overuse rinsed all of my earwax out. I found just tipping my head and allowing the water to run out the best. This and a hair dryer on low. As for an infected pina (the outside of the ear), try putting a warm washcloth on it. On 20 minutes and off 20 minutes for relief. If she is in pain, what works for me is to 'whiff' the air from my bottle of Oregano oil. I hope she feels better soon. Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 > > Posted on Sun, Aug. 14, 2005 > > HEALTH COLUMN | DR. DARRELL KLOTZ > http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/12379989.htm > > You don't have to swim to get `swimmer's ear' > > Painful inflammation of ear canal can be bacterial or fungal > > Otitis externa, an infection of the very thin skin lining of the ear > canal, is more commonly known as " swimmer's ear. " > > However, this condition of ear pain, itching, foul discharge and > decreased hearing can develop in anyone -- swimmers and nonswimmers > alike. This infection is unlike the common ear infection of > childhood, which involves an infection of the middle ear space > (behind the eardrum), and its treatment requires a different > approach. > > Bacteria or fungus causes swimmer's ear. Excessive moisture, > humidity and heat in the ear canal or trauma to the skin lining, or > both, may begin the process of an infection. Cerumen, or ear wax, is > acidic and provides an oily coating to the ear canal, preventing > bacterial or fungal growth. Those at highest risk for swimmer's ear > are people overzealous in cleaning the cerumen or in scratching > their ears with Q-Tips or other objects (e.g. paper clips, pens, > etc.), or who block off circulation of air into the ear by wearing > things like hearing aids, helmets, headphones or earplugs. Some > people are at risk simply because they were born with narrow ear > canals. > > For swimmers, the dirty water found in lakes, ponds and rivers is > notoriously worse than swimming pool water for causing an infection. > This infection is more common in temperate climates and during the > summer months. > > Fortunately, treatment of this type of ear infection is fairly > simple. Frequent cleansing of the ear canal with a few drops of a > diluted white vinegar solution will often treat mild infections > without needing antibiotics. The vinegar solution changes the > acidity of the ear canal, deterring growth of the infection. > However, in most cases, topical ear drops (antibiotic or antifungal) > are required in addition to vinegar irrigation. Often the appearance > of the infection can give clues as to whether the infection is > fungal or bacterial, guiding your doctor in selecting the correct > topical ear drop without performing a culture. Taking a culture is a > simple, painless procedure that allows your doctor to learn more > about the type of bacteria present in the ear and may be recommended > if your swimmer's ear becomes a chronic problem. > > Oral antibiotics or antifungals are seldom used in treating routine, > uncomplicated cases of swimmer's ear. They are generally used only > in situations of severe infection where the outside portion of the > ear or the lymph nodes around the ear become involved, or in cases > of chronic infection that do not seem to respond to ear drops and > irrigations. Sometimes the ear can contain so much swelling and > inflammation that the ear canal closes and a small sponge or " wick " > needs to be inserted to keep the canal open while administering the > ear drops. > > Often your doctor will suction the debris from the canal initially > and on later visits, to enhance the effectiveness of the ear drops > that you are applying at home. While treatment is in progress, it is > recommended to keep any further water from entering the canal during > showering, swimming, etc. > > As with many things in medicine, prevention can go a long way. Good > ear hygiene is important to prevent infections of the ear canal. > Cleansing your ear with a few drops of mild-vinegar solution after > swimming or scuba diving is a good idea, particularly if you are > someone who has repeated difficulty with swimmer's ear. Q-Tips > should never be used to remove residual water or wax from the inner > portion of the ear (provides a small break in the skin of the ear > canal, allowing easy introduction of the infection). Remember the > old adage, " You shouldn't be putting anything smaller than your > elbow in your ear. " > > At least that's what my grandmother used to say. > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----------- > Dr. Darrell Klotz is an otolaryngologist on staff at Gaston Memorial > Hospital. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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