Whether you go to the pool regularly or are preparing to spend your summer at the lake or beach, you’ve probably experienced the discomfort of having water in your ears (and searching the internet frantically for ways to get it). It is likely that you are familiar with it. comes out of the ear). Even if you don’t actively participate in water sports, you’ve probably experienced something like this just by going about your daily life, such as simply tilting your head while taking a shower.
No matter the situation, water in your ears can be uncomfortable, interfere with your hearing, and even lead to infection. Water sitting in the ear canal for too long can cause swimmer’s ear. But know that it’s not uncommon for people to feel like they have fluid in their ears. angela pennM.D., assistant professor of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and it doesn’t necessarily indicate an infection or another problem.
FYI, according to the CDC, if you have swimmer’s ear, your ears will experience leakage, itching, redness, and swelling. If you pull on your earlobe or put any pressure on this area, you will feel pain. Consult your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. You may be prescribed antibiotic ear drops to relieve your symptoms.
Ideally, you should remove any water that is there to prevent it from reaching this point. But generally speaking, Dr. Penn says you shouldn’t take matters into your own hands. His inexperience and the wrong tools he uses at home can damage this area. Cotton swabs (or bobby pins, keys, or other instruments) can push earwax deep into the ear canal, causing trauma to the ear canal, eardrum, and other structures, she says.
That said, there are some steps you can take to safely remove water from your ears. You need to be extra gentle and careful.
1. Keep your ears as dry as possible
Wearing a swim cap, earplugs, or custom-fitted swimwear before jumping into the pool or ocean can help keep water from getting into your ears and prevent problems from developing.
2. Ask your doctor about using ear drops.
Over-the-counter ear drying drops may be helpful for ears that get water after swimming, bathing, or showering. A few drops placed in the affected ear will help. However, it should not be used if there is a hole in the eardrum, swimmer’s ear, Eustachian tube, or ear drainage, according to the CDC. That’s why it’s important to keep your health care provider informed.
debrox swimmer’s ear drying drops
3. Try mixing rubbing alcohol and distilled white vinegar.
If you always get swim ears, Dr. Penn says you might try adding a few drops of a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and distilled white vinegar into your canal. Using a sterile dropper, he puts 3-4 drops in each ear, waits 30 seconds, then tilts his head to the side to drain the solution.
4. Dry your ears after showering or swimming
This is more than just drying with a towel. Tilt your head back and forth, with each ear facing down and water dripping out of your ear canal. Alternatively, you can try using a hair dryer on the lowest heat and speed or using a fan setting to blow air into the ear canal and draw water out.
5. Place cotton balls in your ears while showering.
If showering is often the culprit, Dr. Penn says applying a little Vaseline to the outside of a cotton ball to seal the ear can help prevent water from getting in. “Be careful not to reuse these inserts,” she points out.
6. Shake your earlobes or shake your head
It may sound too simple, but pulling on a leaf or shaking your head from side to side may be a quick fix. If you lie on your affected side and place your head on a towel, water may slowly drain out of your ear on its own.
7. If all else fails, see an otolaryngologist
Whether water in your ears is just uncomfortable, affecting your hearing, or feeling blocked, if these home remedies don’t work, see an ENT doctor. Please consult a specialist such as Dr. Penn says a more thorough evaluation can be done, especially if your ear has a lot of wax buildup and frequent infections.
Emilia Benton is a freelance writer and editor based in Houston. In addition to Runner’s World, she has contributed health, fitness, and wellness content to publications such as her Women’s Health, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and the Houston Chronicle. She has competed in marathons 11 times, is a USATF Level 1 certified running coach, and is an avid traveler.
