Whether you are swimming, showering, bathing or have immersed yourself in water, water in ear can cause discomfort, irritation, temporary loss of hearing, and even your ears to pop or have pain. No matter what the case, when water gets in your ear it is frustrating and equally annoying. Although water in your ear does not cause many adverse effects- if it remains trapped in your ear not only will it be bothersome, but it can also cause you to get an ear infection or a condition known as “swimmers ear.”
Removing Water in Ear
If you know that you have water in your ear it is important that you use safe ways to remove it. Here are just a few suggestions of ways that you can safely remove water from your ear:
As soon as you notice you have water in ear, you should attempt to drain it. You can do this by wiping your ear off gently with a cloth. It also helps you to do this more thoroughly if you tilt your head to the side and let the water sorta drip out. You can also lay on the ear with a towel underneath it for a few minutes to let gravity drain your ear from the excess fluid. You can open and close your mouth as well to clear out any water, pop your ears, and allow the water to drain or try to chew gum.
Blow it Dry
If you have tried the common way to remove water from your ear and it did not work well enough, then you may want to use a blow dryer to heat the air to evaporate it. However, do not use the high heat dryer setting as you could burn your earlobe. As you wave the blow dryer back and forth about 6-9 inches away from your head pull your lobe down.
Use a Solution to Dry it Up
First of all: DO not place any solution or use this method to drain your ear- if your eardrum is burst or may be punctured. It could cause more pain and also create a horrible infection in your ear.
#1: Swimmer’s Ear Drops
Because water in ear is so common- especially during the summer months when everyone is swimming- there are OTC medicines that you can pick up and purchase at local pharmacies and drug stores that are essentially made to sop up and remedy water-logged ears. Try any of these brands, and make sure to follow the instructions on the labeling for best results
#2 Garlic and Olive Oil
Garlic and olive oil both have special properties that help to reduce the growth of bacteria. Additionally, they are also anti-inflammatory in nature so they assist with the reduction of inflammation that can occur from water being trapped in the ear. You can make this solution by grating or crushing garlic into tiny little bits add a tablespoon or two of olive oil and cook on low on the stove only allowing the two ingredients to blend. Do not overheat this solution. Let it cool and apply with a dropper in small drops. Wipe and dry excess off.
#3 Alcohol and Vinegar
Alcohol and vinegar can help evaporate water that is trapped within the ear. You mix 1/2 tsp of rubbing alcohol and 1/2 tsp of vinegar and use a dropper to apply it directly into the ear. Allow it to soak up the moisture for a few seconds then lay down or tilt your head and dry it off with a soft towel gently. This home remedy is also beneficial for preventing ear infections and for reducing bacteria introduced to the ear from swimming in lakes, chlorinated pools and open bodies of water.
Removing Water in Ear after Swimming
One of the main contributors to water in ear is that of swimming. When swimming for long periods of time and dousing yoruself underwater the ears naturally fill up. Although this does not always cause irritation, infections, or discomfort. It can cause alot of water to be trapped in the ear canal and lead to a condition what is referred to as swimmers ear. Swimmer’s ear if left without remedy can cause pain, or even an ear infection.
To best dry your ear out after swimming utilize this protocol:
- When swimming, each 5-10 minutes pop your ears or tilt your head from side to side to allow excess water to drain.
- After a day of swimming, be sure to rinse out your ears and use solutions or OTC drops to help evaporate the water.
- Make yourself yawn, open close your jaw a few times, and also try chewing gum to release the build up of fluid and pressure.
Warnings For Removing Water in Ear:
As a general rule, although the above tips for removing water in your ear is safe- it is also important that you understand the other things that you should never do when removing water in ear including:
- Do not place anything small in your ear and limit your use of Q-tips as a normal amount of wax helps to capture bacteria from entering the inner ear canal. Placing foreign objects in your ear can cause deep destruction to your ear drum and often worsen a condition.
- If you find yourself with sever pain, or you notice you have a fever associated with symptoms such as water in ear- then do seek medical attention as it could be something more serious.
- Water in your ear can make you less able to hear- so listen well. Also make certain when drying your ears out that you are in a place where you have your balance as water in ear can cause you to become off balance or dizzy.
Water in Ear: Bottom Line
Water in ear is very common so it should not be too worrisome for you if it happens. Just follow the above instructions to try to remove it as safely and easily as possible. Do remember that if symptoms worsen or you experience more pain with the water in your ear to see a medical professional that can help you keep your ear health optimal.