Ear Beer

[pfirejack]

Long story short having trouble with left ear. Fluid in tube behind ear drum. Dr says wait 1 week then return.
Today in dive shop someone mentioned ear beer. Before I could get more info the person left.
Can anyone enlighten me on ear beer.

Am sorry for posting here but this is my go to.

 

[ReefHound]

Some people use Swim-Ear, some people use vinegar, some use alcohol, some use a mix. Do a google search on "ear beer".

 

[Manatee Diver]

Ear Beer is a mix of rubbing alcohol and vinegar and sometimes glycerin, that is used to prevent outer ear infections. The exact mix, and application instructions varies. But the basic mix is 1:1 alcohol to vinegar and apply a few drops in your ears before and/or after diving.

It isn't a random wives tale, as I've been recommended this by actual doctors, and it is reported that the Navy uses a pharma mixed version for their divers.

 

[pfirejack]

Thank you so much for the prompt reply.

 

[cicopo]

I think you're actually talking about what is called a squeeze. I had it happen to me a long time ago & what you're describing matches what I had. Ear Barotrauma: Ear Squeeze Symptoms & Treatment

 

[DandyDon]

sometimes glycerin

I use it. I think it helps prevent stinging, which can happen. I use a half & half mix of white vinegar and 50% alcohol after every dive and every shower of a dive trip to prevent bacterial infections called Swimmers Ear.

Fluid in tube behind ear drum. Dr says wait 1 week then return.

I don't think it'll help once there us a problem, and certainly not that problem. I suggest following the advice of the medical doctor who got his license the hard way, instead someone in a dive shop. No diving until healed.

 

[Manatee Diver]

I don't think it'll help once there us a problem, and certainly not that problem. I suggest following the advice of the medical doctor who got his license the hard way, instead someone in a dive shop. No diving until healed.

Yeah, Ear Beer isn't meant as a treatment for any condition, but a prophylactic to prevent the outer ear infections. The proper treatment will be whatever your doc prescribes which for an outer ear infection typically antibiotic ear drops, a NSAID, and sometimes a systemic antibiotic like Augmentin. All of which you can get in Mexico simply by asking...

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah, Ear Beer isn't meant as a treatment for any condition, but a prophylactic to prevent the outer ear infections. The proper treatment will be whatever your doc prescribes which for an outer ear infection typically antibiotic ear drops, a NSAID, and sometimes a systemic antibiotic like Augmentin. All of which you can get in Mexico simply by asking...

True, but he said he has "Fluid in tube behind ear drum," and I don't know of any treatment for that other than letting the body deal with it in time.

 

[cicopo]

If it's what happened to me (rather painful) pain killer was prescribed as well as no diving for roughly 1 week. In most cases that was likely the right advice but I'm immune to just about every form of pain killer When I was cleared to dive I still had pain BUT it went away at depth. Wish I'd known that in the beginning.

 

[michael-fisch]

The original EarBeer is composed of the following:
1/3 70% Isopropal alchohol
1/3 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/3 5% white vinegar

After diving fill one ear with an eyedropper and wait 5 minutes before letting it drain. Then do the other ear for 5 minutes.

Michael