Ear Infection Pain

[Iota]

So I'm lying with my head sideways- making this a challenge to write- because I'm balancing several drops of vinegar (4.5% acetic acid) in my ear canal. lol.

An ear infection has come to visit, again, and it hurts like a... This happened about 8-9 hours after going swimming.

 

Out of curiosity, what about microbial proliferation in the ear canal causes so much pain? I suspected these things: immune response, i.e. histamine, swelling and so on; anaerobic respiration, causing lactic acid to build up; or tissue cell damage due to bacteria embedding itself underneath and multiplying.

 

The problem is I have no idea if it is any of those above, or something else, but I'm curious.

 

(As a side topic: can this leave long term damage to the ear drum?)

 

Thanks in advance for replies.

[Bill Angel]

I occasionally have had trouble with ear aches and ear infections. The best advice is to have an Ear Nose and Throat specialist examine you. But if you wish to discuss your situation with others with a similar affliction, check out www.inspire.com which is a medical support group that I have found it useful to participate in for my own medical issues.

[Iota]

I occasionally have had trouble with ear aches and ear infections. The best advice is to have an Ear Nose and Throat specialist examine you. But if you wish to discuss your situation with others with a similar affliction, check out www.inspire.com which is a medical support group that I have found it useful to participate in for my own medical issues.

 

I'll hold onto that site. I would usually go to the doctor to get antibiotics but I would have to wait until Monday to get an appointment at the earliest and I can just kill the bacteria with household equipment. I'm now using very salty water to finish off the infection.

 

Despite sore throats being caused by viruses, rinsing my mouth with high salinity water tends to get rid of my sore throat with 2 days maximum. It's underestimated as a drug.

 

 

 

[Athena]

I'll hold onto that site. I would usually go to the doctor to get antibiotics but I would have to wait until Monday to get an appointment at the earliest and I can just kill the bacteria with household equipment. I'm now using very salty water to finish off the infection.

 

Despite sore throats being caused by viruses, rinsing my mouth with high salinity water tends to get rid of my sore throat with 2 days maximum. It's underestimated as a drug.

 

 

 

 

Rising the nasal passages with salinity water can prevent viruses that cause disease from multiplying enough to make us sick. The viruses get sticky in cold weather, and this is why we are more apt to get colds and the flu in cold weather. Flushing them out before they can embed themselves can prevent a problem from developing.

 

But inside the ear? I don't think you can flush that so well. However, you might want to gargle and clean nasal passages, as well as clean the ear?

 

I remember as a kid, someone resolved my ear arch problem by making a tiny plastic bag of salt and heating it, and then putting it in my ear. Heat is also good at destroying viruses. Give your ear a localized fever.

 

Next time wear ear plugs when you go swimming.

Edited August 4, 2012 by Athena

[Iota]

Rising the nasal passages with salinity water can prevent viruses that cause disease from multiplying enough to make us sick. The viruses get sticky in cold weather, and this is why we are more apt to get colds and the flu in cold weather. Flushing them out before they can embed themselves can prevent a problem from developing.

 

So that's why. I remember saying to someone that it works every time, but they didn't believe me because viruses cause sore throats.

 

But inside the ear? I don't think you can flush that so well. However, you might want to gargle and clean nasal passages, as well as clean the ear?

 

I'm inserting it in the ear because the infection is caused by bacteria. High salinity can dehydrate them, inhibit replication and possibly cause cell-lysis.

I'm also using some alcohol too now... I'm determined to get rid of this infection.

 

Next time wear ear plugs when you go swimming.

 

Good point, I definitely will be. For anyone else who might read this, and who cares... really dry your ears after swimming too. Bacteria grows when your ears aren't properly dried, after swimming. Proliferation doesn't happen so much whilst swimming from what I've read.

 

 

[John Cuthber]

Since most people who go swimming don't get ear infections there must be some underlying difference between you and the rest of the population. You might want to talk to your doctor about what that difference might be and what (if anything) you can do about it.

[Iota]

Since most people who go swimming don't get ear infections there must be some underlying difference between you and the rest of the population. You might want to talk to your doctor about what that difference might be and what (if anything) you can do about it.

 

I think I'm just prone to it genetically. My mum said she always got them after swimming, so it's quite possible I've inherited a very bad auditory/Eustachian tube. This is my second or third time in my entire life having it, so it's not too bad.

 

I'm investing in some waterproof ear plugs tomorrow and I've made some ear drops- a simple mixture of sodium bicarbonate with water- which will help to prevent future infections; as well as drying off more thoroughly.

 

If the above fails then I will go to my doctor and see what's going on.

Edited August 4, 2012 by Iota

[Bill Angel]

I think I'm just prone to it genetically. My mum said she always got them after swimming, so it's quite possible I've inherited a very bad auditory/Eustachian tube. This is my second or third time in my entire life having it, so it's not too bad.

 

I'm investing in some waterproof ear plugs tomorrow and I've made some ear drops- a simple mixture of sodium bicarbonate with water- which will help to prevent future infections; as well as drying off more thoroughly.

 

If the above fails then I will go to my doctor and see what's going on.

When I had an ear infection the Dr prescribed CIPRODEX, which are ear drops containing an antibacterial agent and an anti-inflammatory agent. It worked quite well and was not too expensive.

[Athena]

When I had an ear infection the Dr prescribed CIPRODEX, which are ear drops containing an antibacterial agent and an anti-inflammatory agent. It worked quite well and was not too expensive.

 

That is good to know.

 

Iota, how is your ear now. An ear infection is not something to play with, and I am concerned about you.

[Iota]

That is good to know.

 

Iota, how is your ear now. An ear infection is not something to play with, and I am concerned about you.

 

No worries, Athena! I managed to make the pain and blockage go away using stuff at home, but the infection soon came back. I thought it would be a bit stupid to do it twice , so I went to my doctor and I'm now on a course of Amoxicillin. It's clearing up quickly. Thanks for asking.

[CharonY]

The viruses get sticky in cold weather, and this is why we are more apt to get colds and the flu in cold weather.

 

Actually that is not the case. Lower temperature may lower brownian motion of the viral particles, but that does not lead to higher adherence and infection (they need passive movement to find their receptors first). But in many areas where the infections actually settle the temperature is at body temperature, or at least close to it.

 

The only hypotheses that I know of dealing with weather assume that it may be due to proximity effects (people stay indoors for more) and that mucus and other defense systems may be compromised due to low humidity (especially while heating), also temperature may affect virus survivability. There is no direct mechanism known, to my knowledge, though.

Edited August 15, 2012 by CharonY

[Athena]

Actually that is not the case. Lower temperature may lower brownian motion of the viral particles, but that does not lead to higher adherence and infection (they need passive movement to find their receptors first). But in many areas where the infections actually settle the temperature is at body temperature, or at least close to it.

 

The only hypotheses that I know of dealing with weather assume that it may be due to proximity effects (people stay indoors for more) and that mucus and other defense systems may be compromised due to low humidity (especially while heating), also temperature may affect virus survivability. There is no direct mechanism known, to my knowledge, though.

 

You are probably right. Some months ago, in the media was talk of cold viruses getting stick in cold weather, but that is not what is being said in a google search today. Today I read the hairs in our nose and our mucus defense works less well in cold weather.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucus

 

However it works, I think rinsing the nasal passages with saline water helps prevent the viruses from getting a hold. With the new information, it seems prudent to rinse the nose immediately when coming in from the cold, it exposure to a virus is likely? Last winter I survived an Occupy camp full of sneezing and coughing people, without getting sick, and I rinses my nasal passages as soon as got home. May be I was just lucky? For awhile the sickness was so bad, I was afraid to go into the camp, and rinsing at least held me deal with the fear.

 

What are the other possibilities? wearing garlic around our necks and a pocket full of posies?

 

Iota, glad you saw the doctor.

Edited August 16, 2012 by Athena