That feeling of water trapped in your ear is a common annoyance. It can feel like your hearing is muffled, and the sensation can be incredibly distracting. While the water often drains on its own, it can sometimes get stuck in the ear canal. If left there for too long, it can lead to discomfort or even an infection known as "swimmer's ear."
Thankfully, there are several simple and safe methods you can use to get the water out quickly and easily. This guide will walk you through the most effective techniques.
1. The Best Home Remedies to Try First
These methods use simple physics to help dislodge the water from your ear canal.
The Gravity Method: This is often the quickest solution. Simply tilt your head to the side, with the affected ear facing down. You can pull on your earlobe to straighten the ear canal and give it a little shake. Gravity will do the work.
The Vacuum Method: Place the palm of your hand flat over your ear, creating a tight seal. Press your hand firmly and quickly against your ear and then pull it away. This motion creates a vacuum that can pull the water out.
The Blow Dryer Method: This works by gently evaporating the water. Turn your hairdryer to the lowest heat and fan setting. Hold it about a foot away from your ear and move it back and forth. Do not hold it too close, as this can burn your skin.
The Yawn and Chew Method: Sometimes, water is stuck in your Eustachian tube. Moving your jaw can open the tube and release the water. Try yawning widely or chewing gum to help open the passage and drain the fluid.
2. Over-the-Counter Solutions
If the above methods don't work, you can use ear drops designed for this purpose.
Ear-Drying Drops: These drops, often called "swimmer's ear" drops, are typically alcohol-based and are designed to dry out moisture in the ear canal. They also help break down earwax that might be trapping the water. Follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.
A Word of Caution: Do NOT use ear drops if you have a perforated eardrum or an ear infection. If you experience any pain or discharge from your ear, stop immediately and see a doctor.
3. What NOT to Do
These common mistakes can make the problem worse or cause serious harm.
Do NOT Use a Q-tip or Any Other Object: Putting a Q-tip, a finger, or any other object into your ear canal can push the water and any earwax deeper, potentially damaging your eardrum or scratching the ear canal, which can lead to a painful infection.
Do NOT Ignore Persistent Symptoms: If the feeling of trapped water doesn't go away after a few days, or if you experience pain, a fever, or a change in your hearing, it's time to see a doctor. These could be signs of an infection that requires medical attention.
By using these safe and effective methods, you can quickly get water out of your ear and get back to your day without the irritation.
Sources
Mayo Clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swimmers-ear/symptoms-causes/syc-20351688 American Academy of Otolaryngology:
https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/earwax-and-what-you-should-do/ Cleveland Clinic:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-water-out-of-your-ear/
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