Questions please re ear infections in TRNC

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
14/08/2011 22:35

A friend has asked me to post some questions re ear infections in TRNC so far she has spent nearly 100 pounds on antibiotics and strong pain killers is this usual ?



Are ear infections common from using communal pools ?



has any one on the board suffered from any ear infections ?



Can ear infections be caused through water when showering ?



Can a test of the water trace any cause of ear infections ?

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
14/08/2011 22:53

pipie I was talking to some people friday night, their son is here on hols, suffering with infectioin now, antiboitics no use. They went to the Ear nose and Throat facility in Gitne, all tests done, it seems it was water related the pool. They found the help and advise and Im not sure what was said to them, but he is not now on antibiotics. It may be worth a trip to put their mind at rest x

chriswife


Joined: 30/03/2011
Posts: 449

Message Posted:
14/08/2011 23:42

hubby got infection from communal pool letting water stay in ear well it got stuck but the meds got rid.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 07:07

pipie,



Ear infections are very common here in the summer, not just communal pools but private and sea swimming.

Very unusual to have to spend that kind of money, usually Gentamycin ear drops which are around 3tl and an oral antibiotic clear it up in a few days. I think it may be a good idea if they now see an ENT specialist.



Chris

Agobard


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 07:20

I have had problems here with ear infections over the years and I only swim in the sea. After recent recurrent problems, I am seeing a specialist at NEU Hospital who, after a CT scan, diagnosed the infection as being in the inner ear. In extreme cases a small operation is needed to deal with this. Thankfully not in my case and I am receiving treatment in the form of antibiotics and ear drops - it has taken almost 3 months to clear this. So, if your ear infection keeps on returning, go and see an ENT specialist. Although this was not my situation, my specialist did tell me that most of the people that he saw with serious problems have been swimming in the sea between Girne and the Merit Hotel.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 07:34

Pipie/Msg 1: What your friend has 'caught' from either a pool, or the sea, has been known for many years as 'Mediterranean Ear' - it is a very common ailment and affects more expats and tourists than one would imagine.



Let me quote you my experience in the South when I was teaching diving from various hotels, using their pools:



The guests complained of a painful ear [usually, only one is affected], the hotel recommended their own doctor. Guests visited doctor up to three times during their stay - doctor prescribed different, useless, antibiotics. However, on their last visit, prior to flying home, the doctor then prescribed 'Otosporin' ear drops - then, the only effective cure. At CY£40 per consultation, the doctors knew they were on to a 'nice little earner'.



How do I know?



A Greek Cypriot doctor, who was my diving buddy, told me!



Although I know 'Otosporin' [from Boots - UK] still works, I am sure 'nurseawful' has given you the latest and best information.

crofter


Joined: 16/12/2008
Posts: 1035

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 07:42

If the pool was treated correctly then no one would have ear infections. Get the pool company to sort out the pool quickly. May need treating every day, depending on the usage.

hodgeliz


Joined: 16/10/2010
Posts: 278

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 08:01

pipie you asked a similar question to this last year, is it the same friend ?

dinner-dave


Joined: 14/08/2011
Posts: 48

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 08:33

ear drops usually solves the problem.

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 09:09

My husband, grand daughter and grandson all got ear infections last year (not saying which public pool) but after treatment with oral antibiotics and drops they did not recover at all.



When they told the pharmacist that the ear was 'running' he knew immediately that the infection was fungal and prescribed the correct drops. It cleared up within 48 hours.



Do not underestimate the knowledge of the pharmacist. They are very clever guys and have seen most of it before.



He also confirmed that the pool water was dirty - that it was the only way they could have all got the fungal infection.



I would say where but on here you are accused of lying, trying to wreck a business etc. OK for pool/business owners to damage us though eh?

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 09:33

This 'link' may be of interest to those who took note of my MSG 6:





http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001963.html

Mitch68


Joined: 19/04/2011
Posts: 92

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 10:02

I used to suffer with lots of ear problems when I lived in UK and went on holiday to hot climates snorkelling & diving. I was told by a doctor in the Maldives that people coming from a cold climate have hard ear wax that becomes very soft after a few days in the heat which releases any bacteria trapped in the wax. Add to this bacteria in sea water or communal pools and the ear canal really becomes a breeding ground for nasties.

The best medicine is always prevention, and having ears syringed before going on holidays and washing the ears out with bottled water after each swim solved the problem.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 10:02

If it is a Bacterial or Fungal infection,it is relatively easy to treat with ABs or AFs





if it is Viral however, treatment can be more difficult........In any event ,see a Medical professional

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 10:06

A correct diagnosis by a Dr should be made before embarking on any kind of treatment

Simbas

britvic



Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 3039

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 10:23

Mr britvic got a nasty ear infection when over NC last and went completely deaf! nurseawful was good enough to treat it for him however he would not take her advice to stay out of the pool, and it wouldn't go away.

He was on strong antibiotics when we got home.

I think its OK to use the pool as long as your not diving in when you have an ear infection.

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 10:29

Hi Mitch68,

Sounds about right.



We had Family over in April this year, from Denmark.

After being in the sea, one of them developed an ear infection,

causing deafness in one ear :-(

They went to Girne Hospital, he was prescribed drops.

This did not help.

When he got home, his Dr diagnosed ear wax as the problem.

Navek

LancsLass


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 145

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 10:35

My grandson got an ear infection last year while here on holiday. Girne Hospital E.N.T were great and soon cleared it with medication. This year he is here with ear plugs which his GP in the UK had made for him and to date has had no problems.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 13:16

our quack says it can also be caused by the humidty moisture within the inner ear



loads of people seem to suffer in these months



this will go down a bomb zerochlor pools seem to be a problem as well



as the three i know of the ear infections seem to happen the other 6 chlorine pools no probs at all



not knocking zerochlor as i use it sometimes

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 13:20

Thank you for all of your feedback !! I will pass it all on to my friend !!

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 13:41

High Temps and high Humidity can prompt the wax glands in the middle ear to over produce wax serum.... Occasional use of Earex ear drops will help with excessive wax build up...

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 18:09

Before attempting to remove earwax, it needs to be softened to the point where it leaks out on its own.



A tried and trusted method is to insert 'Cerumol' drops - see this 'link':



http://www.cerumol.com/cerumol.html



This treatment used to be recommended by ENT people to patients PRIOR to syringeing the ear(s).

Chelpet


Joined: 10/03/2010
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
15/08/2011 22:24

I had ear infection about three weeks ago when we were out and chemist gave me ear drops for ear wax, to be honest thought he was joking, but after reading some of the posts it appears he was not wrong, anyway cleared up soon after getting without any treatment, but will heed your msg4 Chris.