Trev wrote:
hairy cyclist wrote:
Was doing an open water swim yesterday and some water got under my earplug, and pushed into my ear. I have had a million ear infections in my lifetime so this morning I went to the doctor to confirm my suspicion and get it sorted out. I have one of my two major races of the year on Sunday.
I have an antibiotic ointment/cream to put in the ear - I had a run with antibiotics (oral) last year for something else and I felt like total garbage for a week. Are the effects the same with this?
Ear infections are nasty. I don't want to sound like an old woman but is racing with an ear infection a good idea?
If it is a virus a race or training will only prolong it and possibly make it worse. If it is bacterial the cream may help but virus or bacterial knocking yourself back in a race might allow a minor infection to get worse and ear problems are horrible.
I really don't understand why people risk their health by racing when they have problems.
A sensible approach. However as opposed to an inner ear infection I think this would rank more on the minor side. My experience with such infections is quite vast (I think I had tubes until I was 16-17 years old), so I am basing my educated guess in that I will not be 'racing with an infection' as opposed to racing recently recovered from one. I think it will take 3-4 days for it to clear up completely. Though, I am worried about the effects of any antibiotic treatment.
I am not one who takes medicine, usually, unless warranted. As this is one of those cases.