Have you ever experienced water getting trapped in your ears? Doesn’t it produce an uncomfortable feeling? There is nothing more disturbing and troublesome than having water stuck in the ears. Water can get stuck into the ear after swimming, after a shower or after washing your hair. Water in your ear can cause pain, affect your hearing and if left for a longer period, it may also cause an infection. Usually, the water drains out on its own but then at times it fails to drain out and it gets stuck in the ear. At such times, you may wonder how to get the water out of your ears and you may wish to try different methods to get the water out of your ear. But then, by which methods can you get the water out of your ear? This write-up gives you an insight into several such methods.
Below mentioned are a few tips which you can try to get water out of your ears:
Jiggle or wiggle your earlobe:
Tilt your head with the watery ear facing downwards and gently jiggle your earlobe. This may shake the water to just dribble out. While in this position, the head can also be shaken from side to side.
Use Gravity:
Gravity can work like magic in draining the water from your ear. Lie on your side with the affected ear facing downwards, for a few minutes. Gravity may slowly drain the water out of the ear.
Create vacuum:
Tilt your head to the side, and rest your affected ear onto your cupped palm. Rapidly flatten and cup your palm by pushing your hand back and forth creating a vacuum within your ear. This shall create suction like effect which shall drain the water from your ear.
Use a blow dryer:
Using the blow dryer is another method which can help you get rid of the water trapped in the ear. Heat from the blow dryer may help evaporate the water in the ear. The blow dryer should be set at the lowest setting and held at an arm’s length. Avoid holding the blow dryer too close to the ear. Move the dryer in a back and forth motion while, tugging your earlobe down; allowing the warm air to blow into the ear.
Use Alcohol & vinegar eardrops:
Alcohol aids in evaporating the water and further eliminates the growth of bacteria. Vinegar helps in removing the built-up earwax which could be trapping the water in the ear canal. This eardrop can be made by mixing equal portions of alcohol and vinegar. With the help of a sterile dropper, insert 3-4 drops of this mixture into the ear. Then, gently rub the outside of the ear. Let the mixture set in for thirty seconds then, tilt your head sideways so that the solution can drain out. Alcohol and vinegar eardrop is not indicated if you have a perforated eardrum or an infection.
Use Hydrogen peroxide eardrops:
Hydrogen peroxide eardrop is another helpful method of getting water out of your ears. Hydrogen peroxide eardrop can help remove the debris and the earwax which may be trapping the water in the ear. Insert 3-4 drops of hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear. Leave it to sit for 1-2 minutes and then, tilt your head downwards allowing the fluid to drain out easily. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide eardrop in case; you have a perforated eardrum or an outer ear infection.
Try Olive oil:
Olive oil is another useful method to eliminate the trapped water from the ear. Olive oil not only repels water out but also prevents infection in the ear. Warm some olive oil and then with the help of a dropper put a few drops of olive oil into the affected ear. Then, lie on the other side for approximately 10 minutes and then turn around and tilt the affected ear downwards. The water and the oil shall drain out.
Try more water:
Though, this can seem illogical but then it does prove to be beneficial in removing the already accumulated water from the ear. Lie on your side and then, with the help of a dropper fill the affected ear with water. Wait for some time and then turn over, such that the affected ear is facing downwards, allowing all the water to drain out.
Consuming over-the-counter (OTC) eardrops:
There are several OTC eardrops available that help reduces the moisture in the ear and eliminate earwax and debris.
Yawning or chewing:
Yawning or chewing gum is a valuable method of removing water from the ear. It can help in loosening water from the Eustachian tubes. Try chewing or yawning while tilting your head to the unaffected side then, quickly tilt your head to the affected side. The chewing movement shall help release the water.
Perform the Valsalva maneuver:
This method shall help in opening the closed Eustachian tubes, pushing out the water from the ear. You need to breathe deeply, closing your mouth and then pinch your nostrils with your fingers. Then, slowly blowing out air from your nose. In case you hear a popping sound, this indicates the opening of the Eustachian tubes. Avoid blowing your nose too hard as it may damage the eardrum.
Use steam:
You can use steam to get water out of your ear. Warm steam helps in releasing water from the ear. Take steaming hot water in a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam for 5-10 mins. Later, tilt your head to the affected side to drain off the water.
Use Heat Therapy:
Heat therapy is another method that can help remove water from your ear. The heat compress will help in releasing the fluid by opening the Eustachian tube. Soak a cloth in warm water and ensure that the excess water is wrung. Place the cloth over the affected ear for approximately 30 sec and then take it off for a minute and then repeat the process for 4-5 times. Lie down on the affected side, so that the fluid drains out.
Hope the above mentioned tips shall surely be of great help to you to get water out of your ears thus, providing you with great relief from the troublesome experience produced by the trapped water. Thus, hopefully now you have got a solution to your query of how to get water out of your ear.