How To Get Water Out Of Your Ear

• Posted on: Jul 15 2018
• By: The ENT and Allergy Centers of Texas

One of the best parts of summer is spending time at the pool, the lake, or the ocean. Swimming and laying in the sun are truly some of the best ways to spend the dog days of summer until you get water stuck in your ear. It only gets worse when the water sticks around and starts to hurt.

Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) is an infection of the skin of the ear canal that often occurs after swimming. This is because the more time water spends in your ear, the more time the bacteria in the water has to cause problems. No water is completely bacteria-free, though swimming pools have chemicals to lower the risk of waterborne disease. Lakes and ponds that don’t have an outlet are especially dirty, so avoid swimming in them whenever possible.

Bacteria from this water reproduces and ends up causing an infection that is very painful. If you’ve ever had swimmer’s ear, you’ll understand. Keep reading for some quick ways you can try to clear your ear of water before you get an infection.

Shake It Off

Gently jiggle your earlobe back and forth while you tilt your head down toward your shoulder. You might get lucky and shake the water right out.

Use Gravity

Lay on one side, with the affected ear down. Gravity might allow the water to drain out, so put a towel or something soft down that you don’t care about getting a little wet.

Use Heat

Tilt your head to the side and apply a hot compress to the affected ear. Press the warm compress to your ear for thirty seconds, then remove it and let your ear breathe for a minute. The warmth can help remove water trapped in your eustachian tubes. Moving to your other side after might help, too.

Alcohol and Vinegar

Combining alcohol and vinegar may help evaporate the water in your ear and, as a bonus, alcohol may also prevent the growth of bacteria which can help you prevent a nasty ear infection. The vinegar may help remove built-up earwax in the ear canal, which could be trapping the water inside. In a very small bowl, pour a few drops each of alcohol and vinegar. Use a sterile dropper to drop around 3 drops into your ear. Let the mixture sit for thirty seconds, and then turn your head to let it drain.

If you have an ear infection, a perforated eardrum, or eardrum tubes, do not attempt this method.

Yawn or chew

Just as your ears pop when you chew gum on a plane, chewing or yawning can help loosen water from your eustachian tubes. Make sure your ears allow all the water to drain out.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have an ear infection, call us at (972) 984-1050 to schedule a consultation.

Posted in: Ear Infection