How to Get Water Out of Your Ear

Everyone has experience the irritation of having water block their ear at some time in their lives. Besides being annoying, water in the ear decreases hearing and causes a sensation of something foreign trapped in the ear. Unchecked, the extra moisture can lead to infection and pain. Knowing the proper way to remove water in ear without damaging the sensitive structures of the ear is the key. This article will provide several safe and effective ways to remove water from your ears.

Water in the ear is a very common occurrence and can happen to anyone. While swimming or taking a bath or shower, water can get inside the ears. Normally, the wax present in the ear canal prevents fluid from going deep inside the ear. But at times, fluid can get trapped within the ear.

This causes a tickling sensation in the ear that can create much discomfort. It may also be accompanied by pain and reduced hearing ability.

If left untreated, fluid in the ear can cause hearing loss, cyst formation, eardrum inflammation and other complications. This is why it is important to get rid of fluid in the ears as soon as possible.

First, you need to find out whether the fluid is accumulated in the outer ear or middle ear. Fluid accumulation in the middle ear must be treated by a doctor.

Fluid accumulation in the outer ear can be treated at home. There are simple and easy ways to remove fluid from the ear.

Here are the top ways to get water out of your ear:

1. Gravity:
The best way to remove water from your ear is to let gravity do the work.
Tilt your head sideways and hold the affected ear parallel to the ground.
Place the palm of your hand flat against your ear and press hard for a few seconds. Quickly remove your hand. A temporary vacuum will form that will dislodge the fluid.
Use a cotton ear bud to very carefully remove the fluid draining from the ear.
Yawning or chewing motions can also help get water out of the ear canal by creating pressure in the middle ear and stretching the ear canal.

2. Blow Dryer:
A blow dryer can also be used to speed up evaporation of the trapped fluid. The warm, dry air will turn the water to steam and eventually help it dissipate out of the ear.

Pull your ear lobe away from your body.
Hold a blow dryer about 10 to 12 inches away from your ear.
Set the dryer heat to warm and air flow to low.
Turn the dryer on and aim it directly into the ear canal.
Hold the dryer in position for approximately 30 seconds.
If required, repeat again.
Now: Do not do this for more than a few minutes at one time.

3. Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar:
Rubbing alcohol and vinegar is an age-old home remedy to get rid of fluid in the ear. While the antibacterial properties of vinegar will help kill germs present in the ear, rubbing alcohol helps dry up the water in the ear.

Mix together one teaspoon each of rubbing alcohol and vinegar.
Using a dropper, put two to three drops of this solution into the affected ear.
Rub the opening of the ear canal gently.
Wait for 30 seconds.
Tilt your head so that the fluid can easily drain out.

4. Heat Therapy:
Heat therapy can help free your ears of fluid quickly. The heat compress will help open the Eustachian tube (where fluid typically builds up), so that the fluid can escape easily.

Dip a washcloth in a bowl of hot water, and wring out the excess water.
Place the hot washcloth against the affected ear for 30 seconds.
Wait for a minute, and then repeat.
Do this four or five times at a stretch.
Lie down on your side to help the fluid drain out.

5. Steam:
Inhaling steam is another easy way to ease fluid buildup in the ear. Steam will help open the Eustachian tube, in turn encouraging the release of fluid trapped in the ear.

Pour hot steaming water in a large bowl.
Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam slowly for five to 10 minutes.
Tilt your head to one side.
Fluid will start coming out of the ear.
You can also take a hot shower to draw fluid out of the ear canal.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide is another very effective option to get rid of fluid in ear. Due to its effervescent property, hydrogen peroxide can easily remove the trapped fluid, along with ear wax and debris from the ear canal.

Using a dropper, put four to five drops of three percent hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear.
Allow it to settle for one or two minutes.
Tilt your head downwards to allow the fluid to drain out easily.

7. Salt:
Salt can be used to treat fluid in ear as it easily absorbs water. The heat from the hot salt compress also will help the fluid evaporate and relieve pain.

Heat one-fourth cup of salt in the microwave.
Put the salt in a cotton cloth and tie it tightly.
Hold this cloth near the opening of the affected ear for two to three minutes.

8. Garlic:
Garlic is another great treatment to dislodge fluid in the ear. Plus, garlic has antibacterial properties that help prevent ear infection as well as reduce pain.

Press a few garlic cloves to extract the juice.
Put two or three drops of garlic juice in the affected ear.
Wait for one minute, and then blow dry the ear from about 12 inches away from the head.

9. Olive Oil:
Olive oil is a great remedy to facilitate the flow of fluid trapped in the ear. Also, its antiseptic properties will reduce the risk of ear infection.

Slightly warm some olive oil in a small bowl.
Using a dropper, a few drops of warm olive oil in the ear.
Allow it to settle for 10 minutes.
Next, turn your head sideways and remove the oil as well as the fluid with a soft ear bud.
Putting two to three drops of olive oil in each ear before going for swimming will lubricate the tissues lining the ear canal and help prevent water from getting trapped in the ears.

If none of these tips work and you still have fluid in ear, consult a doctor to avoid further complications.

Steps to Remove Water from Your Ear after Swimming:

Swimming often results in water trapped inside the ear canal. Removing this water as soon as possible after swimming is the best way to prevent ear infections. The common name for this is swimmer's ear and it can be quite painful. Follow the steps below to get rid of water trapped in the ear.

Shake Your Head. Simply shake your head side-to-side after swimming. This is a basic yet effective way to remove water after swimming. If that doesn't work, follow the steps outlined below.
Pop Your Ears. Pinch your nose shut and gently blow but keep your lips pressed tightly together. The eardrums will be pushed outwards and "pop" causing water to be pushed from the ear canal.

Use Rubbing Alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is highly effective in drying up moisture. The alcohol will also help prevent infection and kill bacteria in the ear canal. Effective options include rubbing alcohol or over-the-counter drops. Treat one ear at a time and keep the treated ear up so the rubbing alcohol doesn't drain right back out.

Yawn. Yawning stretches the ear canal and facilitates spontaneous drainage of water from the ear. Pull on your ear lobe to increase the effectiveness of this technique. Yawn a few times after placing a few drops of rubbing alcohol in the ear canal to help it spread throughout the canal before moving on to the next step.

Wait. Wait at least 30 seconds before changing position of your head otherwise the alcohol will run out before it has a chance to work.
Pour and Dry. Tip your head down and allow any remaining water and rubbing alcohol to drain out of the ear. If your hearing is still off or the sensation of trapped water persists, repeat the above process.
Steps to Remove Water Deep in Your Ear

Lie Down. Lie down on your side and direct the affected ear upwards.
Dip Rubbing Alcohol. Take a clean cotton ball or swab and completely saturate it by dipping it into a container of rubbing alcohol.

Drop Rubbing Alcohol. Take the saturated cotton ball or swab and place it over the affected ear. Let a few drops of the rubbing alcohol drip into the ear.

Sit Up. Now sit up and let the alcohol further mix with the water in the ear canal. Don't be alarmed if you hear a small pop or crackle, as this is normal. The water will now start to evaporate from the action of the alcohol.

Repeat. Repeat if the sensation of trapped water continues and use this technique on the other ear to relieve symptoms.

Warnings:

Never put anything smaller than your elbow into the ear canal. This common adage will prevent damage or injury to the delicate structures of the ear. Many have punctured their eardrum by sticking sharp or pointed objects into the ear canal to relieve trapped water.
Use a chair or table for support when hopping. Trapped water can cause dizziness and loss of balance.
Rubbing alcohol or over-the-counter drops may sting or burn for a few seconds. This will rapidly go away so don't be alarmed.
Consult a doctor if the above do not relieve the symptoms of trapped water. Sometimes wax completely blocks the ear canal and prevents the water from escaping. If you are having ear pain and decreased hearing, it is a good idea to see a doctor who can look inside the ear with a special light.