Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

1

I've been on the CrossFit/Paleo path for about seven months and like so many of my fellow PaleoHackers -- I love it. Love how it has changed my life, my outlook, how I feel, how I look -- no looking back.

Here's my question: I've noticed that, in the past 6 months, I've been getting recurrent bouts of ear infections -- generally of the otitis externa variety. Wondering if anyone else out there in Paleo-land has experienced this and, if so, have you been able to resolve it?

Do you think it has something to do with a possible allergy to something Paleo I'm eating now that I wasn't necessarily eating before? What comes immediately to mind for me is almonds -- I eat them regularly these days, and before going Paleo, I rarely ever had them. My GF has suggested that I stay away from them for a few weeks and see if there's any change, which I'm willing to do. The reasoning is that the infection = inflammation, and the inflammation could likely be an allergic reaction. (But I'll be super-sad if I have to give up almond butter!)
I wonder if it might just be the result of profuse sweating during CF WODs, and 2 showers a day? -- am I just continually giving myself "swimmer's ear"? How do I avoid it?
What else could it be? -- it's really annoying!!

Thanks!

flag	asked Sep 2 2011 at 14:46 Albert 1,947●2●11

Paul Jaminet · Answer 1 · 2011-09-02 15:35:13Z UTC

1

Have you tried putting an anti-fungal lotion on it? That would be the obvious first step.

answered Sep 2 2011 at 15:35

Paul Jaminet
5,329●8●33

	Began using Cipro drops that I still have from the last bout -- seems to be doing the trick at the moment. What would you recommend as an anti-fungal, and could it be used regularly as a preventative measure? – Albert Sep 4 2011 at 17:55
	Well, if Cipro works then it must be bacterial. Anti-fungal creams are available over the counter at any pharmacy. Clotrimazole, butenafine, terbinafine are active ingredients. – Paul Jaminet Sep 4 2011 at 22:44
	Thank you, Paul. – Albert Sep 18 2011 at 18:07

cliff · Answer 2 · 2011-10-14 21:04:15Z UTC

1

If it is swimmers ear from the showers, putting alcohol in your ear after a shower dries up the water real quick.

answered Oct 14 2011 at 21:04

cliff
13.4k●1●9●28

	I think it is from water in your ears also. I use a product called Swim Ear everytime I wash my hair. It is alcohol in a base of anhydrous glycerin. Before I took this precaution I had a lot of ear infections like what you describe. I hope you are better now. – Doris Nov 11 2011 at 22:30
	Thanks for the suggestion, Doris. Glad you found something that's working for you. – Albert Nov 14 2011 at 14:28

blueballoon · Answer 3 · 2011-11-12 00:22:15Z UTC

I get eczema in my ears (gross, I know) when I overdo dairy (sensitivity to casein), and I end up with bad ear infections. I'd maybe try eliminating the almonds or whatever you think might be bothering you and see if it helps.

(For the record, I can do cream and butter here and there, but little more than that without bothering my ears. I don't seem to have many other symptoms.)

Albert · Answer 4 · 2012-02-08 21:17:59Z UTC

Following up -- Since posting this 5 months ago, I've tweaked a few things:

began supplementing with Vit D daily (going on 4 months now)
added B12 to supplement mix
added K2
added Mg

Can report that both the recurring itchy-ear thing and what had become continual dry/flaky eczema on the outside edges of my palms have completely subsided.

Additionally, I also kicked my almond butter habit, in an effort to tighten up carb intake, cut down on fat intake, and maintain a better Omega 3:6 ratio. Last week, one of my CF sisters made some almond butter for the first time, and was kind enough to share a small jar with me. Within 2 days, my ears were itching again! So, I'm kinda thinking almonds are a trigger for me, sadly.

Upside is that it will provide ongoing motivation for for me to stay off the almond butter train...

George Brodie · Answer 5 · 2011-09-02 15:40:04Z UTC

0

what other foods do you eat

answered Sep 2 2011 at 15:40

George Brodie
169●2

For protein -- steak, chicken, salmon, cod, eggs are the mainstays. Carbs are mostly limited to sweet potatoes, and whatever is in veggies. Dairy's limited almost exclusively to butter for flavor and cooking, ghee, some cream for coffee, and an occasional indulgence in grass-fed cheese. Veggies are everything -- haven't met one I don't like, but as far as quantity goes, I eat a lot of tomatoes, green peppers, onions, garlic, all kinds of lettuce (usually that baby spring mix), broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms. Fats -- coconut oil, bacon fat, ghee, almond butter, avocados – Albert Sep 2 2011 at 19:13

Dragonfly · Answer 6 · 2011-09-02 15:41:05Z UTC

0

How's your Vitamin D status?

answered Sep 2 2011 at 15:41

Dragonfly
31.2k●1●8●41

	I don't actually know. But I have been thinking of supplementing it. I generally get enough sun during the summer months, but I live in NEOH, so the dark days are a-comin'. – Albert Sep 2 2011 at 19:14
	Unfortunately, many folks who live above 38 degrees North don't get enough sun even in the summer months. Best to get tested. There's a link on the Vitamin D Council website. In the meantime, supplementing 5,000 IUs may be prudent. – Dragonfly Sep 2 2011 at 20:08
	Thanks, D! -- appreciate your insights. – Albert Sep 4 2011 at 17:55

Recurring ear infections since starting Paleo

6 Answers