DIVING HEALTH GUIDE · HURGHADA

By TourCare Pharmacy — Reliable Care, Hurghada  ·  Updated March 2026  ·  9 min read

Ear infections after diving or snorkelling in the Red Sea are one of the most common health complaints we see at TourCare Pharmacy in Hurghada — and one of the most preventable. The warm, salty water of the Red Sea creates ideal conditions for the bacteria that cause otitis externa, better known as swimmer’s ear. If you have come off a dive with ear pain, itching, or muffled hearing, you are not alone — and the treatment is fast, simple, and available directly to your hotel room.

This guide covers exactly what is happening in your ear, which drops treat it correctly, the Egyptian pharmacy products available at TourCare, and how to prevent it ruining the rest of your trip.

What causes ear infections after diving?

The outer ear canal (the tube between the ear opening and the eardrum) is normally protected by a thin layer of earwax that maintains a slightly acidic environment hostile to bacteria. Prolonged water exposure washes this away, leaves the skin waterlogged and soft, and creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria thrive. Dropiflox contains ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic that kills the bacteria causing the infection, combined with dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that reduces the inflammation, swelling, and pain.

The Red Sea makes this worse than most destinations for several reasons:

• High water temperature (26–32°C year-round) — warm water accelerates bacterial growth
• High salinity — salt water is more aggressive at stripping the ear’s natural protective film than fresh water
• Multiple dives per day — repeated exposure without drying time compounds the damage
• Pressure changes during diving — can micro-damage the ear canal lining, creating entry points for bacteria
• Shared equipment at dive centres — masks and wetsuits can harbour bacteria if not properly cleaned

Symptoms — what to look for and how serious is it

Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear / outer ear infection) typically develops within 12–48 hours of water exposure. Here is what you will notice and when to act:

• 1–2d
  Early signs — treat now, do not wait Itching inside the ear canal, mild discomfort when pressing or pulling the ear, slight feeling of fullness or blockage. This is the best time to start drops — treatment at this stage resolves the infection fastest.
• 2–4d
  Moderate stage — start treatment immediately Increasing pain, pain when moving the jaw or ear, some discharge (clear or slightly yellow), muffled hearing. Drops at this stage will still resolve the infection but take longer. Pain relief (Brufen or Adol) alongside drops is recommended.
• 4d+
  Severe stage — see a doctor as well as using drops Severe pain radiating to the jaw or neck, significant swelling visible outside the ear, high fever, complete hearing loss in the affected ear, or thick pus-like discharge. These signs indicate a more advanced infection requiring medical assessment alongside treatment.

The treatment — TourCare pharmacy products that work

The following products are all available at TourCare Pharmacy with hotel delivery across Hurghada. Click each product to order directly from our website.

How to use Dropiflox ear drops correctly

Incorrect application is the most common reason ear drops fail to work. Follow these steps precisely for best results:

1. Warm the drops first — hold the bottle in your hand for 1–2 minutes before use. Cold drops cause dizziness when they contact the inner ear canal.
2. Lie on your side — with the affected ear facing upward. Do not try to put drops in while sitting up.
3. Pull the outer ear gently upward and backward — this straightens the ear canal and allows drops to reach the infection.
4. Apply 4 drops — allow each drop to fall slowly into the canal. Do not insert the tip into the ear.
5. Stay lying down for 5 minutes — this allows the drops to travel down the canal to the infection site. Gently pressing the small flap in front of the ear opening (the tragus) a few times helps move the drops deeper.
6. Repeat on the other side if both ears are affected, then roll over and repeat the process.
7. Do NOT plug the ear with cotton wool — this keeps moisture in and makes the infection worse.
8. Twice daily for 7 full days — even if you feel better after 2–3 days. Stopping early allows the infection to return.

Otocalm ear drops — when to use them instead

Otocalm is a different type of ear drop designed specifically for pain relief rather than bacterial treatment. Otocalm works by blocking the release of certain chemical messengers that cause pain and inflammation, providing analgesic and mild antiseptic action in the ear canal. It is the right choice when:

• You have very mild early itching with no significant pain or discharge
• You need immediate pain relief while waiting for Dropiflox to be delivered
• You want to soothe irritation after swimming before a full infection develops

For a confirmed ear infection with pain and discharge, Otocalm alone is not sufficient — you need Dropiflox (or another ciprofloxacin-based drop) to eliminate the bacteria. Use both together: Otocalm for immediate pain relief, Dropiflox as the full treatment course.

UK and German brand equivalents

Can I keep diving with an ear infection?

This is the question every diver asks — and the honest answer is no, at least for the first 48 hours of treatment.

• First 48 hours: Do not dive, snorkel, or swim. The ear canal needs to dry out and the drops need time to work. More water exposure removes the drops and introduces more bacteria.
• Days 3–5: If symptoms are clearly improving (pain reducing, no new discharge), light snorkelling with a well-fitting mask may be possible — but keep your head above water and dry ears thoroughly after every session.
• Full diving: Wait until the full 7-day course is complete and you are completely symptom-free before resuming pressure-change diving.
• Ear plugs while swimming: Use silicone ear plugs (available at TourCare) to prevent water re-entry if you must go in the water before recovery is complete.

Prevention — 7 things to do after every dive or swim

Swimmer’s ear is largely preventable. The most important moment is immediately after leaving the water:

1. Tilt your head side to side — let gravity drain water from each ear canal. Pull the earlobe gently to help.
2. Dry with the corner of a towel — gently, without inserting the towel into the canal. Pat, do not rub.
3. Use a hairdryer on the lowest setting — hold 30cm from the ear for 30 seconds. Warm, dry air is the single most effective prevention step.
4. Do not use cotton buds (Q-tips) — they push wax and debris deeper, scratch the canal lining, and remove the protective wax layer. This is one of the biggest risk factors for otitis externa.
5. Wear tight-fitting ear plugs on high-volume days (multiple dives or long snorkel sessions). Ask TourCare for silicone ear plugs with a good seal rating.
6. Acetic acid (vinegar) drops — a few drops of diluted white vinegar after swimming restores the slightly acidic environment that inhibits bacterial growth. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part isopropyl alcohol. Apply after drying.
7. Treat early, not late — buy Dropiflox on arrival so you have it ready. Starting drops at the first sign of itching resolves infections in 2–3 days versus 7+ days if you wait.

Children and ear infections in the Red Sea

Children who snorkel or swim in Hurghada are at higher risk of otitis externa than adults because their ear canals are narrower, hold water longer, and are harder to dry effectively.

Dropiflox is approved for children from 6 months of age — making it safe for most children on holiday in Egypt. The dosage is the same as adults: 4 drops twice daily. For children under 6 months, consult a doctor before use.

Signs to watch for in children who have been swimming:

• Tugging or pulling at the ear
• Crying more than usual when the ear or jaw area is touched
• Reduced hearing or asking for things to be repeated
• Fever (unusual in otitis externa alone — if present, see a doctor)

Frequently asked questions