I know heaps of you get this....my question is, I live somewhere with no doctors. Anyone know how long it takes for it to get better WITHOUT treatment? I'm one week in and bored of it already......
i believe you can get ear drops for that sorta thing... was ages ago i had it but head to ur pharmacy and they,ll give ya what you need..
Swimmers ear is an acute infection in the ear canal, caused by water trapped here after swimming. If untreated it can be ongoing and become chronic.
Surfers ear is a chronic condition, caused by repeated, long duration exposure to cold over a long period. Ear canal bones swell in an attempt to protect the delicate inner ear from the cold. The result is a narrowed, even occluded ear canal. Advanced surfers ear requires surgical correction.
As the ear canal narrows, water becomes trapped more easily and therefore swimmers ear may develop more frequently.
If it's been troubling you for a week, it's a good idea to see a doctor, how ever far you have to travel.
It could be a bacterial or fungal infection - those things don't go away by themselves - you will need an antibiotic or anti fungal to sort them out.
The stuff you get from a chemist will work on mild cases.
Anything to do with my ears or eyes - off to a Doc straight away - I like seeing and hearing!
Bad thing about it, is it never goes away,
Have dealt with it for the last 10 years
from a lifetime in the water.
Get good earplugs or i use a packet of blue tak every summer
Stop the water entering ear and no infections.
I had a infection and couldnt hear out of my ear for 6 weeks.
Never good when you go for a hearing test and the nurse calls in all the other nurses to 'Have a look at this guys ear'
Prevention is good, but this problem is a inevitable if you are in the water a couple of times a week and want to surf all your life
At least it is a good excuse for dropping in, 'Sorry mate didn't hear ya
Best thing too do is always use some Aqua Ear after your session in the water , readily available from any chemist , sometimes will help a little with a sore ear if it hasnt developed too far into an infection in which case a dose of Amoxillin may be needed .
The best thing for ear infection is:
Sempervivum
Or image (don't know how to link it, c/p whole line):
&imgrefurl=www.thesucculentgarden.com.au/sempe.html&h=456&w=459&sz=24&tbnid=TVAvEj1HRxcZEM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=108&prev=/search%3Fq%3DSempervivum%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=Sempervivum&docid=-iNay-Sgsff0vM&sa=X&ei=eODBTrD0MJGXiAeunZmfBQ&ved=0CEkQ9QEwBQ&dur=310
It's common in Europe to call it a "House guardian" or so (sorry, wouldn't know if there's English name anyway...).
My Nana used it every time when her's babies got an ear infection...
I've learned from her and used it many times. A few drops a few times per day, keep for some seconds in the ear - infection gone in two days..
Hope this will help you. I've given this plant to all my friends:)
Also, google for " Sempervivum with ear infection"
Isopropyl Alchohol, the same stuff your CD cleaner is made of. Have a look at any eardrops used for swimmers ear, it displaces the water in the ear.
Cheers
Rich
I'd be wary of putting any over-the-counter ear remedies down your ear before consulting a doctor...
If your eardrum is perforated, you could cause more damage by pouring **** down there.
I've had two of the hearing bones & mastoid material in my left ear removed due to cholesteatoma which has left me with prob 40% loss of hearing. Right one also, but not as bad. I have to take care of my ear 'oles now so use either plugs or BlueTac.
Wearing a helmet with ear coverings (like the Gath), and plugs certainly helps keep most of the water/ wind out in the winter/ cold water.
I would travel to a doctor asap. Do not put anything into your ear ^^ in case your ear drum is perforated - you may go permanently deaf or have your hearing damaged. If it is just inflammed, it will make it worse - you'll be in the most unvelievable pain, and then have to travel miles to a doctor.
See my earmare: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Help-I-cant-hear-Dont-read-at-dinner
Hope you get well real soon. 
The drops I use to use contained Isopropyl Alcohol and thats all it said on the label. I've use Iso-Alc extensively in my industry and it smelt the same and tasted the same without any residue left when evaporated.
Here's another link to back it up, but don't hold me liable. (there are many more that contain Iso and Vinegar)
healthfully.com/isopropyl-alcohol-for-dry-ears-6413842.html
If you have any problems with it, don't complain to me as it will be falling on deaf ears. (bit sick, but you know what I mean)
Cheers
Rich
