Hey doc everyone who i know that is old like 30 or 35 who surfed alot they are all getting surfer ear. From what i have seen its not something i want is there any way to advoid this?
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surfer ear
- Thread starter cencoastgrom
- Start date
Surfer's ear is a bony growth in the ear canal caused by exposure to cold water. To prevent it, the usual recommandation is using ear plugs and a hood. Also, rinsing your ear canal with rubbing alcohol after each exposure may help.
But really, it is about the cold. And the only prevention is consistent usage of plugs and/or a hood. Doc's pro plugs are usually recommended, but most people I know use Ear-Os, which are shaped like little Christmas trees, are cheap, and never fall out. I always wear my plugs, and often a hood too.
But really, it is about the cold. And the only prevention is consistent usage of plugs and/or a hood. Doc's pro plugs are usually recommended, but most people I know use Ear-Os, which are shaped like little Christmas trees, are cheap, and never fall out. I always wear my plugs, and often a hood too.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by cencoastgrom:
<strong>Hey doc everyone who i know that is old like 30 or 35 who surfed alot they are all getting surfer ear. From what i have seen its not something i want is there any way to advoid this?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hey CCG
Its a nasty thing that you don't want any part of. Wear the plugs! I actually can't surf without them now I'm so used to them and maybe its a mental thing but I don't seem to feel the cold as much either. I only wish I had found out about them years ago.
<strong>Hey doc everyone who i know that is old like 30 or 35 who surfed alot they are all getting surfer ear. From what i have seen its not something i want is there any way to advoid this?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hey CCG
Its a nasty thing that you don't want any part of. Wear the plugs! I actually can't surf without them now I'm so used to them and maybe its a mental thing but I don't seem to feel the cold as much either. I only wish I had found out about them years ago.
Those who already have surfer's ear are well-advised to use a good eardrop before and after surfing. Surfer's ear restricts the size of the ear canal and therefore makes it more dificult for debris and water to get out.
Before and after a session, using a performance eardrop specifically formulated to kill bacteria, dry the ear, and clean debris out has been recommended by physicians to prevent infection and to reduce the effects of surfer's ear.
Coming soon to a surf shop near you.... just such an eardrop, made specifically with surfers in mind.
More to come.
Before and after a session, using a performance eardrop specifically formulated to kill bacteria, dry the ear, and clean debris out has been recommended by physicians to prevent infection and to reduce the effects of surfer's ear.
Coming soon to a surf shop near you.... just such an eardrop, made specifically with surfers in mind.
More to come.
I have heard conflicting reports on how much ear plugs alone prevent surfers ear. The ENT who performed the surgery on me told me that he suspects that earplugs alone will prevent water from entering the ear canal but that the bony growth(exostosis) is actually caused by the ear being exposed to cold. Thus your best bet for prevention is a hood with ear plugs.
Then again perhaps my ENT is trying to drum up more business.
I wear hoods when it is really cold but never wear plugs.
Then again perhaps my ENT is trying to drum up more business.
I wear hoods when it is really cold but never wear plugs.
I have been using MACKs silicon putty ear plugs for the past 2-3 years. Doc's plugs sometimes came out and also let in water. But these plugs you roll them up in a ball and cover the whole ear canal when surfing. It keeps all water out and ears dry.
I work with several ENT surgeons, and have queried them at length about surfer's ear. Whereas they have seen it a lot, they do not know how to prevent it.
So, I hit the books and dug up available articles on surfer's ear. There are NO studies on the effectiveness of plugs or hood. However, the hypothesis on cold being the cause is well supported. One article, for example, compared bony growth in Japanese divers in different regions of Japan. The growth is significantly less in the warmer regions. Water is the primary source of cold, so blocking or slowing water entry will help a lot.
Plugs and a hood is the safest bet. As to expensive eardrops, bah humbug. Rubbing alcohol works really well, just soak the ear canal after going in the water, and drip the alcohol out. The alcohol will carry the water out, and then it iwll evaporate fairly quickly.
So, I hit the books and dug up available articles on surfer's ear. There are NO studies on the effectiveness of plugs or hood. However, the hypothesis on cold being the cause is well supported. One article, for example, compared bony growth in Japanese divers in different regions of Japan. The growth is significantly less in the warmer regions. Water is the primary source of cold, so blocking or slowing water entry will help a lot.
Plugs and a hood is the safest bet. As to expensive eardrops, bah humbug. Rubbing alcohol works really well, just soak the ear canal after going in the water, and drip the alcohol out. The alcohol will carry the water out, and then it iwll evaporate fairly quickly.
blakestah...
Good to see you've done some research. You're correct that there's not much to support any particular means of prevention as yet.... at least based on my own research.
BUT - regarding treatment, there is plenty of physician support out there for the notion that using an eardrop before and / or after surfing aids in the prevention of surfer's ear symptoms, helps dry out partially obstructed ear canals that would otherwise retain water, and helps prevent bacteria and fungus from growing in there.
You're right that alchohol works - and for some this is a fine solution. The trouble with alchohol though, is that with a lot of use, like if you surf every day, this can cause painful dryness, cracking and even bleeding in the ear canal. Some patients report having crackling and pain seemingly in their eardrum after using straight alchohol.
Most physicians will tell you that a mixture of glycerin, alchohol and vinegar is the optimal blend for; drying the ear canal of water, killing bacteria and fungal spores, and rejuvenating the ear canal's natural moisture.
Our product combines these and adds echineaccea as a herbal anti-bacterial as well, into a performance eardrop for surfers, swimmers, divers and other lovers of ocean sports.
While a lot of people may not want to pay for an "expensive" eardrop... there are also a lot of people out there who (based on our queries of people with surfer's ear and other problems with ear infections, etc) would value an off-the-shelf product that meets their specific needs conveniently.
As for "expensive" - the cost of the product will not be overly pricey. After all, we're making it primarily for surfers, and surfers generally don't wany to pay a lot for stuff. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />
Seriously, the packaging we're going with is targeted to last a daily or near-daily surfer for at least a month. The price point - we expect - will be less than $6-$7 retail.
Good to see you've done some research. You're correct that there's not much to support any particular means of prevention as yet.... at least based on my own research.
BUT - regarding treatment, there is plenty of physician support out there for the notion that using an eardrop before and / or after surfing aids in the prevention of surfer's ear symptoms, helps dry out partially obstructed ear canals that would otherwise retain water, and helps prevent bacteria and fungus from growing in there.
You're right that alchohol works - and for some this is a fine solution. The trouble with alchohol though, is that with a lot of use, like if you surf every day, this can cause painful dryness, cracking and even bleeding in the ear canal. Some patients report having crackling and pain seemingly in their eardrum after using straight alchohol.
Most physicians will tell you that a mixture of glycerin, alchohol and vinegar is the optimal blend for; drying the ear canal of water, killing bacteria and fungal spores, and rejuvenating the ear canal's natural moisture.
Our product combines these and adds echineaccea as a herbal anti-bacterial as well, into a performance eardrop for surfers, swimmers, divers and other lovers of ocean sports.
While a lot of people may not want to pay for an "expensive" eardrop... there are also a lot of people out there who (based on our queries of people with surfer's ear and other problems with ear infections, etc) would value an off-the-shelf product that meets their specific needs conveniently.
As for "expensive" - the cost of the product will not be overly pricey. After all, we're making it primarily for surfers, and surfers generally don't wany to pay a lot for stuff. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />
Seriously, the packaging we're going with is targeted to last a daily or near-daily surfer for at least a month. The price point - we expect - will be less than $6-$7 retail.
how cold is cold...45 deg water? 60
I feel like mine are closing up but it may be all in my head
I'm like 56-62 for 6 months and 62 - 72 for 6 months
are you talking about 65 and lower year round or can it happen to any one with exposure to water below normal body temps?
I feel like mine are closing up but it may be all in my head
I'm like 56-62 for 6 months and 62 - 72 for 6 months
are you talking about 65 and lower year round or can it happen to any one with exposure to water below normal body temps?
varno...
the answer is; it depends. Mainly, it depends on the individual. The condition known as surfer's ear (or, diffuse exostosis) is the body's response to repeated exposure to 'cold' water being introduced into the ear canal.
For some, this might mean regular exposure to water in the 50's. For some the 60's. For others, it may never even occur.
One thing though, I've not heard of warm-water surfers (e.g. hawaii) getting it - but that's not to say it doesn't happen.
the answer is; it depends. Mainly, it depends on the individual. The condition known as surfer's ear (or, diffuse exostosis) is the body's response to repeated exposure to 'cold' water being introduced into the ear canal.
For some, this might mean regular exposure to water in the 50's. For some the 60's. For others, it may never even occur.
One thing though, I've not heard of warm-water surfers (e.g. hawaii) getting it - but that's not to say it doesn't happen.
To me it feels like there is already a bone growing in my ears. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> is it to late for me
It's good to hear someone's making an over the counter product specifically for this. Good luck with that groovn. Cleaning the ears out is just as important as keeping them protected (earplugs, hood). As far as the coldness/time factor goes, it varies, but took me less than 20yrs, mainly surfing in low 50's to mid 60 degree water to close both ears well over 90%. I've had one drilled and have to go back for the other, which looks like scabby cauliflower on the inside. If not taken care of after surgery, the bone growth can return to a worse state in less than a 3 years. Cold wind is another big factor that can't be forgotten. If I would have known the problems that are caused, I would've worn plugs from day 1. One thing I noticed is the surgury didn't do a single thing for my hearing, although I think the hearing tests they administer are very poor indicator of that. I was told by the doctor that the surgery can actually worsen your hearing because of the high pitched frequency of the drill.
If the condition gets really bad and you decide to get surgery, they may have to remove your ear, drill out the exostosis in the canal, then sew your ear back on. No joke.
If the condition gets really bad and you decide to get surgery, they may have to remove your ear, drill out the exostosis in the canal, then sew your ear back on. No joke.
I have an additional question:
Is it actually BONE that builds up? Or is it cartilage? I used to wrestle/jujistu and therefore I have a little cauliflower ear, and what would happen is, impact would cause fluid retention and thee fluid - if not drained - would form a cartilage "callous" - which will not go away without surgery.
Now I'm wondering - if it is bone that builds up, and one takes preventative measures(hood, plugs, drops etc.) will the initial bone growth be resorbed? Or is it there to stay?
Is it actually BONE that builds up? Or is it cartilage? I used to wrestle/jujistu and therefore I have a little cauliflower ear, and what would happen is, impact would cause fluid retention and thee fluid - if not drained - would form a cartilage "callous" - which will not go away without surgery.
Now I'm wondering - if it is bone that builds up, and one takes preventative measures(hood, plugs, drops etc.) will the initial bone growth be resorbed? Or is it there to stay?
Skim,
Unfortunately both answers are negative. Once the bone is there it can only be removed via a surgical procedure and yes it is actually a bony growth inside the ear canal. I had the surgery and the doctor actually gave me the bones in a test tube to cherish forever. Maybe I will take a picture to share with everyone.
Oh where did you train Jiu Jitsui??
Unfortunately both answers are negative. Once the bone is there it can only be removed via a surgical procedure and yes it is actually a bony growth inside the ear canal. I had the surgery and the doctor actually gave me the bones in a test tube to cherish forever. Maybe I will take a picture to share with everyone.
Oh where did you train Jiu Jitsui??
I should never asked this question Cap you got me scared ****less now. I am never going with out a hood again
Surf Doc is it possible i already have it i just stuck my fingure in my ear and swear i felt a big ol bone right there. Ive only been surfing alot for about a year is it possible to get it that fast or am i just stressing out about this.