How to Prevent Ear Infections Spearfishing

Ear infections can be a painful and frustrating setback for spearos. They often arise from repeated water exposure and poor ear hygiene, potentially sidelining you from the ocean for days or even weeks. Continuing to dive with inflamed or infected ears can worsen the condition and even lead to long-term damage. To prevent infections, many divers use alcohol- or vinegar-based drops after each dive to help dry and disinfect the ear canal. For treatment, doctors commonly prescribe antibiotic ear drops like Ciproxin HC (ciprofloxacin with hydrocortisone) which help reduce infection and inflammation.

⚠️ Caveat: I’m not a doctor, and this isn’t medical advice—but here’s what I do:
Instead of alcohol-based drops (which I find can dry out the delicate skin in the ear canal, especially the tympanic membrane), I use an oil-based solution. Mine is typically 80–90% olive oil with 10–20% eucalyptus oil. Be cautious—pure eucalyptus oil can sting! The oil helps keep the skin in my ears soft and flexible for equalizing, while eucalyptus offers natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When things get bad, my doctor has prescribed Ciproxin—but always check with your own doctor before trying any remedies.

Otitus Externa aka Swimmer’s ear. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

🦻 Ear Infections in Spearfishing

😖 Problem:
Ear infections are common among spearos and can:
• Be painful and inflamed
• Stop you diving for days or weeks
• Lead to serious damage if ignored

🛡️ Prevention Tips:
• Rinse ears after diving
• Use alcohol/vinegar ear drops to dry them out
• Keep ears clean and avoid poking around inside

💊 Common Treatments:
• Ciproxin HC (ciprofloxacin + hydrocortisone)
• Antibiotic + anti-inflammatory ear drops
• Rest from diving until symptoms clear

🧪 My Personal Remedy (Not Medical Advice!):
“I use an oil solution instead of alcohol drops:
🌿 80–90% Olive Oil + 10–20% Eucalyptus Oil
It keeps the skin soft for equalizing and eucalyptus helps fight bacteria. But be careful—eucalyptus alone can sting!
I believe alcohol dries the ear out too much, which isn’t ideal for healing.

📋 My doctor has prescribed Ciproxin when it’s serious—but you should always talk to your doctor before doing anything.“