People often feel water entering their ears after swimming or bathing, especially in summer. Water in the ear is uncomfortable, if it is not removed or does not come out on its own, you can develop inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear and ear canal, also known as Swimmer's Ear. Fortunately, removing water from the ear is easy with a few quick ways. If treating it at home doesn't work and you have ear pain, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Use a homemade solution consisting of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar
Besides helping the ear to get rid of excess water, this solution also keeps the ear from becoming infected. Make an eardrop solution consisting of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent white vinegar and use an eardropper to carefully instill a few drops of the solution into the waterlogged ear. Then, carefully remove it. You can ask an adult for help to put the solution into your ear.
- The acids in this mixture work to break down cerumen (earwax) that might hold water in the ear canal, while the alcohol dries quickly and carries water out of the ear.
- Alcohol also helps the water in the ear to evaporate more quickly.
- Do not perform this procedure if you have a torn eardrum.
Step 2. Create a vacuum in the ear
Hold the ear that is soaked in the water in the palm of your hand and then use your palm to push it in and out slowly until the water starts to come out. Do not do this with your ear facing up as water can be pushed further into the ear canal. This creates a suction-like vacuum that will pull the water in the ear outward towards the hand.
- Alternatively, tilt your ear down, insert your finger in it, and create a vacuum by pushing and pulling quickly with your finger. In a short time, the water will come out of the ear very quickly. Note that this is not the preferred method, as scratching the ear canal can lead to infection. If the palm method doesn't work and you want to use your fingers, make sure they are clean and have short nails.
- Also, during the vacuum phase, it can be helpful to gently massage the ear clockwise (or vice versa) while the air is still tight. This can help wet the damp earwax and release the moisture a little. It may also be helpful if your hearing has been impaired due to an incident.
Step 3. Dry the ears with a hairdryer
While you may be skeptical about using a hairdryer to remove water from your ears, it has proven to be successful for some people. Set the hairdryer on the lowest heat setting, or even cold, and hold the appliance at a distance of about 30 cm from your head, blowing into your ear, until you feel the water run out. Make sure the appliance is not too hot or too close to the ear to avoid burning the ear.
Alternatively, blow warm air over the ear opening and not into it. Warm, dry air passing through water will attract water vapor
Step 4. Use over-the-counter ear drops to remove water from the ear
These drugs are available in pharmacies and usually contain alcohol, which evaporates quickly. Drop the medication into the ear as recommended and tilt the ear downwards to drain the water from the ear.
As with the homemade solution, you can use an adult's help to instill the medication into your ear
Step 5. Wipe the ear with a cloth
Gently and gently wipe the outside of the ear with a soft towel or cloth to remove some of the water, tilting the ear downward toward the cloth. Make sure not to push the swab into your ear, as this can push water further into your ear.
Step 6. Tilt your head to the side
Another way you can try is to stand on one leg and tilt your head to the side so that the ear that is soaked in water is facing the surface. Try jumping on one leg to get the water out. Pulling the auricle to open the ear canal wider or pulling the top of the ear toward the head can also help drain water.
You can also skip the jump step and just tilt your head to one side
Step 7. Lie on your side with your ears down
Gravity can cause the ear to drain naturally. Lie down with the waterlogged ear facing straight down for the best results, unless you want to use a pillow as a backrest. Stay in that position for at least a few minutes. You can watch television or find other ways to entertain yourself if necessary.
If the ear gets water at night, make sure when lying down while sleeping, the ear that gets water in is also facing down. This can increase the chances of the water escaping on its own while you sleep
Step 8. Chew
Pretend you're chewing food to move your jawbone around your ear. Tilt your head to the side of the ear where there is no water, then quickly tilt your head to the other side. You can also chew gum to see if it can release water. Water in the ear gets trapped in the eustachian tube, which is part of the inner ear, and chewing movements can help expel the water.
You can even try chewing while tilting your head with the waterlogged ear facing down for an added effect
Step 9. Yawn
Sometimes you can burst water "bubbles" just by evaporating. Any movement can affect the water in the ear, which can help relieve tension and expel water. If you feel the water "popping" or moving, this may have a positive effect. Like chewing gum, yawning will also help expel water from the eustachian tube.
Step 10. Visit a doctor if necessary
You should see a doctor when you start to feel pain other than getting water in your ear. Also know that an infection in the middle ear feels like water in the ear and needs to be treated. However, it is possible that the accompanying pain is a sign that the water has caused an irritation or infection known as Swimmer's Ear. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
- Discharge of fluid such as yellow or greenish yellow pus or an unpleasant odor from the ear
- Ear pain that increases when the outer ear is pulled
- Hearing loss
- Itching in the ear canal or ear
Method 2 of 2: Preventing Problems Later
Step 1. Dry your ears after swimming
After getting into the water, whether swimming in the ocean or pool or just taking a shower, you should pay attention to keep your ears dry. Wipe the water outside the ear with a clean cloth and wipe it by patting the part closer to the ear canal. Be sure to tilt your head to one side or the other to drain any excess water in your ears.
It's true that some people are more prone to getting water in than others because the amount of water depends on the shape of the ear. If you tend to get in the water often, you have to be careful
Step 2. Avoid using cotton balls to clean the ears
While you might think that a cotton swab can help clean your ears, whether it's to remove water, earwax, or foreign objects, using a cotton swab actually has the opposite effect, and can actually push water or earwax deeper into the ear. The cotton swab can also scratch the inside of the ear, causing further pain.
Using a tissue to clean the inside of the ear can also scratch the ear
Step 3. Do not use earplugs or cotton balls in the ear when water gets in
Using earplugs or cotton balls when sleeping at night has the same effect as cotton balls if water or other objects get in the ear, pushing it deeper into the ear. If you have ear pain or feel like you're getting water in your ear, stay away from the aid at night for the time being.
You should also avoid headphones until the pain goes away
Tips
- Cover your nose with two fingers and try to blow slowly. Be careful not to blow too hard, as this could injure the eardrum.
- Blow your nose. A change in air pressure often solves the problem.
- After swimming, tilt your head to one side.
- Pull the earlobe slowly when jumping. Have a towel ready to wipe off the water.
- Tilt your head to the side of the ear where the water is getting in or see a doctor if nothing else works, as this can be serious.
- Hold your breath and blow. While holding your breath, you should feel the air expel the water that is in your ear.
- Do not pick and scrape the inside of the ear because it can cause infection.
- Tilt your head so that your ears are facing downwards and jump up, pulling your earlobe slowly.
- Chew gum when lying on your side (the ear with the water in it is facing to the side). After a few minutes, the water will come out of the ear.
- Pour a cap of a bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol into the waterlogged ear, facing up. Then tilt your head so your ears are facing down. The water will come out soon.
- Gently tap the waterlogged ear and tilt your head. The water will come out by itself.
- You can find products that contain 95 percent alcohol to remove water from the ears at various drug stores. This product is used in the same way, but is more effective than using just water (It costs more than alcohol and does the same thing).
- Shake your head vigorously for 10 seconds.
Warning
- Rubbing alcohol will sting for a moment when it comes into contact with the skin.
- Rubbing alcohol is used for topical use only. Do not swallow. Call emergency services if this happens.
- Consult a doctor if none of these instructions work.
- Be careful not to lose your balance when jumping. Keep your body steady by holding onto a chair or the edge of a ladder.
- These methods will most likely remove a mixture of warm earwax and water from the ear. Be careful not to stain the clothes.
- Do not insert foreign objects into the ear. Cotton swabs and objects that go deeper into the ear canal and scratch the skin can cause infection.
