I think I saw some recommendations for ear plugs in old threads here. I have never used these, but wonder if I should. If you swim for many years and never use those, would it be likely to cause any problems to the ears? Thanks for participating the pool--oops, the poll. :)
I use to have problems with my left ear. I tried all sorts of plugs. nevery really got one to stay in, or keep all the water out.
in the end I just started breathing to the right and now I don't have that problem.
I used to get ear infections all the time when I swam as a youth through high school. My doc didn't recommend plugs because if you do get water in there it just traps it in and makes the situation worse.
We'd use a product called Auro-Dri (not sure if it's still available) that contained alcohol to dry out water in the ear. It worked pretty well for the most part.
But I guess it's what works for the individual.
I only apply drops when I feel like I can't get water out of my ear. I use a homemade solution that's 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 white vinegar. Works very well.
I use both. Perforated my eardrum as a kid and it has never healed properly. I only use one plug (in my right ear) and immediately apply ear drops after swimming. If I don't, I will be sure to get an infection. Doc says the only way to fix it is to have an op. They can graft skin onto the ear drum. But the operation entails making an incision behind the ear and peeling it back so they can get to the ear drum. The thought of that is too horrifying so I will just stick with the plug and ear drops for the time being.
I'm surprised by the poll results. I would have figured the vast majority of people use neither.
So am I. Just look at the people in the pool, I have only occasionally seen someone's ears plugged with blue objects. On the other hand so many swimmers talk to one another, obviously not using ear plugs (maybe ear drops, tho).
Quite possibly the folks who use neither don't bother to vote. We can do the math: as of now the poll has been viewed more than 200 times, with only less than 40 votes. I would assume most of those 160 "use neither". :cool:
I use ear plugs when I swim at practice because the pool water is very cold. I was getting headaches, and someone told me it was probably cold water getting trapped in my ears. I still get them every now and then, so I'm not sure if that's true. When I swim on my own, I don't wear them because the pool is warmer at my gym.
If the active factor in the ear drops is propylene alcohol, then couldn't we just use the commonly sold rubbing alcohol, which is basically the same thing.
If the active factor in the ear drops is propylene alcohol, then couldn't we just use the commonly sold rubbing alcohol, which is basically the same thing.
I've used this instead of Auro-Dri, with no problems. Your mileage may differ.
I've also used peroxide.
For our kids, the pediatrician says don't waste your time with drops; use a hair dryer.
