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The safest ways to clear out your ear canal and prevent infection
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If you catch yourself asking “What did you say?” after a relaxing afternoon in the pool, you probably have some water in your ear that’s causing some problems. Getting water stuck in your ear canal happens to everyone sometimes, and most of the time it comes out with a little tilt or shake of your head. If you’ve tried everything to get the water out and it’s still not budging, it may be time to try something new. We’ve put together the best, safest ways to get pesky water out of your ear so you can hear clearly and prevent infection. If you’re ready to unclog your ears and stop saying “Huh?” when someone says something, read on!
Things You Should Know
- Try to drain the water naturally first. Tilt your head, lie down, chew gum, yawn, or use the Valsalva maneuver to dislodge stuck water from your ear.
- Try over-the-counter ear drying drops or a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and distilled, white vinegar to dry out water and prevent infection.
- See a doctor if the stuck water causes pain, redness, fever, or drainage from your ear.
Steps
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Ahhhh! I went swimming and I’ve got water stuck in my ear! It’s so annoying. What can I do to get the water out? I keep trying to tilt my hea... Read More
Ugh, this is such an annoying thing when it happens. It used to happen to me all the time as a kid. My grandmother had the best hack for this. Tr... Read More
I used to go swimming at my aunt's house all the time and she had this little remedy she would give me when I got water stuck in my ear. You just... Read More
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QuestionCan you just use rubbing alcohol if you don't have vinegar?Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.Not according to clinical guidelines we use in family practice when we advise patients in preventing water in the ears that can lead to infection such as Swimmer’s ear. The best prevention is to keep ears dry and prevent infection by instilling 2-3 drops of equal part of white vinegar, isopropyl alcohol and water after each contact with water. This kind of solution is beneficial for prophylaxis as well as for those with persistent Swimmer’s Ear infections.
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Tips
- Always dry your ears after swimming or bathing. Use a towel to pat your outer ears dry, then tilt your head to both sides to drain out any water that got in your canals. [13] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to sourceThanks
- Cover your ears while swimming if you’re prone to waterlogged ears or ear infections. Try ear plugs , a bathing cap , or wetsuit hood . [14] X Research sourceThanks
- These methods will probably bring a mix of water and earwax out of your ear. Be prepared with a tissue to dab or wipe it up.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Try using salt to treat fluid in the ear. The heat from a hot salt compress can 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 the salt bundle near the opening of the affected ear for two to three minutes.
- Try taking two fingers and rubbing them behind the ear in a circular motion. Then slowly rub down to your jawline. If problems persist, go to a doctor.
- If you're trying the sleeping/laying down method, put a squishy (not full or firm) pillow under your neck and lay with your waterlogged ear down.
- Yawning or chewing can help get the trapped water in your ear to come out. Just be ready to absorb any liquid that comes out with a towel.
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Warnings
- Avoid using cotton swabs to clean your ears or remove water. They can push water deeper or scratch your ear canal, which makes it more prone to infection.Thanks
- Don’t use earplugs or put cotton balls in your ears while there’s water in them. These can also push the water deeper and make it harder to remove or cause an infection. [15] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/swimmer-ear.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/prevention/preventing-swimmers-ear.html
- ↑ https://www.hearingaid.org.uk/hearing-loss-awareness/water-in-ears
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/yawning
- ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/fluid-from-the-ear
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23209-valsalva-maneuver
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-ways-to-steer-clear-of-swimmers-ear/
- ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/ear-infections-otitis-media
- ↑ https://uihc.org/health-topics/otitis-externa-get-rid-swimmers-ear
- ↑ https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/6-things-you-need-know-about-earwax-removal
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/swimmer-ear.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000622.htm
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/swimmers-ear
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/august/swimmers-ear
- ↑ https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/how-to-clean-your-ears
About This Article
Article Summary
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If hopping up and down isn't helping to remove water from your ears, the next best thing you do is to yawn or chew gum, since the motion your jaw makes can jar the water free. Own a hair dryer? Put it on the lowest setting, hold it a foot from your ear, and blow it into your ear. If nothing’s working, you can try using alcohol in your ear, which will help the water evaporate faster. Just make a half-and-half rubbing alcohol-white vinegar solution and put about a teaspoon in your ear, then drain your ear completely. For more information from our Medical reviewer on removing water from your ears, including when to see a doctor, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I had a great problem, as my ear was blocked by water while I was bathing. I banged my head to remove water, but it didn't. Then I read this article and used the vacuum trick, then water came out. Thanks, wikiHow." ..." more
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"I had a great problem, as my ear was blocked by water while I was bathing. I banged my head to remove water, but it didn't. Then I read this article and used the vacuum trick, then water came out. Thanks, wikiHow."
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"I like all the ideas, very helpful. My 7 year old has water in her ear after the water slide all day. She started to complain it was bothering her. I got nervous because I always had swimmer's ear as a child, very painful. Will try all!! Thanks!"
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"I have tried some of the remedies posted with the exception of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, and nothing has ever worked which meant a trip to the doc. I tried the rubbing alcohol & vinegar today and it worked!!"
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"The using of the ear drops helped a lot, the medical ear drops I purchased at he pharmacy. Thanks, wikiHow, for all your information. I'll recommend this site to a lot of people who are in need of an extra opinion."
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"Your blog is helpful for me and gives excellent suggestions to people who don't have any idea about problems and their issue. Thanks for sharing this article regarding health remedies."
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