Re: middle/outer ear problem

April 10, 2007

I posted an article below concerning ear infections ie: swimmer's

ear. I'm not a doctor, so just take this for what it is worth, try

white vinegar. Some articles say delute it with alcohol 50/50 or

water, water I do not recommend because that is what may be causing

the problem, moisture. I've been using wv for many years now on all

sorts of rashes, skin abrasions and ear infections, toe nail/finger

nail infections, diaper rash, jock itch (careful, grin), dandruff

(which I personally have used it for) and even Thrush.... It does

work. Now if you had tubes put in the ears I would be very cautious,

I don't know enough about the tubes and again I'm not a physician.

My grandchildren and nephew as young as 4 months have had ear

infections and normally it just takes one treatment of straight

white vinegar. White vinegar is a great antibacterial/antifungal and

the reason why it works as the article below mentions, it changes

the ph value. It's very acidic and seems to work every time. Put it

this way, they haven't had an ear infection since. Of course any

type of open sore there will be a little bit of stinging, otherwise

you won't feel anything. Accidently I found out it was great for

deep ear wax also, it will push it to the opening so it can be

removed. Most dry skin like what you are experiencing is fungal and

many ear infections are caused by aspergillus niger.

I think you will have an excellant, positive results with this

treatment any other vinegar I do not recommend because there is alot

more fermentation.

Hope this helps,

KC

McCullough: Be aware of swimmer's ear this summer

but a simple solution of 1:1 white vinegar and rubbing alcohol will

both dry and acidify the canal.

By J. McCullough, M.D./ HEALTH TIPS

Thursday, July 27, 2006

http://www2.townonline.com/georgetown/opinion/view.bg?

articleid=545588

Swimmer's ear or Otitis Externa is one of the most common infections

in Essex County this time of year. Our beautiful natural landscape

of beaches, ocean, rivers and ponds (not to mention backyard

swimming pools) combined with warm summer weather predisposes us all

to this type of infection. In short, if you swim, shower or

otherwise get wet than you, too, can get swimmer's ear.

Let's start with the basics: swimmer's ear is different from

other types of ear infections. Typically when we say ear infection,

especially in children, we mean otitis media or a middle ear

infection. This is the type of bacterial infection happens after a

cold virus or a change in altitude blocks the eustacian tube and the

bacteria take over. Swimmer's ear happens when fungus or bacteria

grow in the outer ear or the ear canal. The fungi that cause this

type of infection are aspergillus or candida and the dermatophytes,

the same fungi that cause athlete's foot or jock itch. Bacterial

swimmer's ear tends to be more severe with a fever, swollen glands

and is caused by staphylococcus or pseudomonas species.

From an anatomical perspective, the ear canal is the only skin-

lined cul-de-sac in the human body. Since fungus and bacteria both

love warm, moist and dark places, this external canal is the perfect

place for their growth. The skin here is very thin and easily

traumatized by fingernails or Q-tips. Some people are born with a

curve at the junction of the cartilage and bone, which further traps

water in the canal. Surfers or people with chronic swimmer's ear can

also change the shape of the canal over time making them even more

likely to get swimmer's ear. In all ear canals you will find that

the delicate skin is protected by a thin layer of acidic yellow or

red wax. This wax both repels water and is too acidic for bacterial

growth. Additionally, the canal is defended by a unique and delicate

epithelial migration down the cul-de-sac, which carries dead skin

and old wax with it. If this wax is disturbed by trauma or washed

away by water, the pH rises and then the fungus or bacteria can grow

and the ear canal gets painful and swollen. Unfortunately too much

wax can also trap water behind it and allow the infection in. There

are many causes for an outer ear infection but the most common are:

moisture from swimming, bathing or perspiration; insertion of

foreign objects into the ear such as Q-tips, fingernails, hearing

aids or even ear plugs; or chronic skin conditions such as eczema,

psoriasis, seborrhea, acne or even diabetes.

The main symptoms of swimmer's ear are pain and discharge. Some

people notice that it is harder to hear or that their ear is full or

swollen. Some self-care steps can help relieve the symptoms and

prevent the infection but a severe case of swimmer's ear will

require a trip to your family doctor. You should make an appointment

if you have a fever, ear pain and drainage. Your family doctor can

look inside your ear with an otoscope to determine if it is an

internal or external infection and whether it needs a wick to drain

the pus away. Some severe infections may even need to be referred to

an ear, nose and throat specialist or otolaryngologist. The

treatment may include cleaning of the ear with an irrigation or

suction device, topical prescription antibiotics or corticosteroids,

and oral medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

such as ibuprofen or even oral antibiotics if the inner ear or

surrounding skin is involved. The treatment is usually for three

days after all symptoms resolve or five to seven days in total.

Certain activities such as swimming, flying and scuba diving can

make the infection a lot worse. Getting water in your ear during

bathing may also make it worse. Your doctor may instruct you to

avoid the water while being treated for swimmer's ear.

An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure and there are

many things you can do to avoid swimmers ear: Dry your ears

completely after swimming or bathing. Dry your outer ear gently with

a towel or cloth, never with a Q-tip. Use earplugs, which are

specifically designed to keep water out of your ears while swimming.

A tight fitting bathing cap may serve this purpose even better. Some

swimmers who do not tolerate earplugs or caps will find that putting

oil or lanolin drops in their ears before swimming can repel the

water. Put drying or acidifying drops in your ears after swimming.

There are many over the counter products but a simple solution of

1:1 white vinegar and rubbing alcohol will both dry and acidify the

canal. Some swimmers who do not tolerate earplugs will find that

putting oil or lanolin drops in their ears before swimming can repel

the water.

Never dig out earwax yourself. This usually packs the wax father

back in the canal and irritates the delicate skin layer. Your mother

was right: never stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.

Avoid getting irritating substances into your ear canals. Cotton

balls can prevent these substances when applying hair dyes or hair

spray. This may seem like a lot to think about but if you think you

might have gotten swimmer's ear this summer, visit your family

doctor for a consultation.

J. McCullough, M.D., M.Phil, Cummings Center Medical

Associates, Beverly is on the medical staff at Beverly Hospital

>

> Hi all,

>

> Wondering if anyone else has had a problem with chronic itchy,

scaly outer ears? This started after getting treated for swimmer's

ear. It's been 2 1/2 years now...

>

> When it flares up, my ears will 'drain' clear fluid that is a bit

gummy and this coats the outer ear area. Meanwhile, the whole area

feels like tiny microorganisms running races across my skin. ITCHY.

Most of the time, this fluid has a slightly yeasty smell...

>

> If you've had this problem, have you found any solution?

>

> I've had diagnosis of seborrhea and when it's really flared up,

pseudemonis (bacterial infection from the itching i think).

>

> After trying everything under the sun (and it just coming back),

now I'm wondering if it could be mold related. I have MCS and mold

and fragrances are my two biggies that have and continue to trip my

system. I am back on a strict anti-candida diet, which doesn't seem

to really be helping it.

>

> I've gone through my foods, etc. to see if it's an allergy. And

I've tried Neomycin and Polymyxin B sulfates and hydrocortisone Otic

Solution USP, Floxin (ofloxacin), tobramycin, acetasol drops...and

alternative treatments with:

> oregano oil in almond oil, rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil (I felt

sick from the fumes of this), caprylic acid powder mixed with water,

oregano oil in jojoba oil. All of these, except caprylic acid, would

sting when I would put on the skin; but it would help decrease the

itchiness. Oregano oil helped somewhat but didn?t solve the issue.

>

> Any ideas?

>

> Thanks,

> Chris

>

April 15, 2007

Hi I think a lot of things are connected to these

molds/funguses symptoms which must be connected to our environment

and water supplies

>