What it feels like
Although water commonly gets trapped in the ear canal after swimming, it can happen at any time. Usually, water can drain out on its own. If it doesn’t, it may lead to an ear infection. Ear infections due to trapped water are called swimmer’s ear.
If water gets stuck in your ear, you may feel like you have a tickling sensation that you can’t quite reach. This feeling may even extend to your jawbone or throat. You may also experience diminished hearing or hear only muffled sounds
How to remove water from your ear
After spending time immersed in water, drying the outside of your ear with a towel may help you avoid the situation entirely. If water does get trapped in your ear, you can try several at-home remedies for relief:
1. Jiggle your earlobe
Gently tug or jiggle your earlobe while tilting your head in a downward motion toward your shoulder. You can also try shaking your head from side to side while in this position.
2. Create a vacuum
Tilt your head sideways, and rest your ear onto your cupped palm, keeping a tight seal. Gently push your hand back and forth toward your ear in a rapid motion, flattening it as you push and cupping it as you pull away. This will create a vacuum that may draw the water out.
3 Apply a hot compress
Using hot but not scalding water, saturate a washcloth. Make sure to wring out the washcloth before you use it so that it doesn’t drip. Tilt your head downward on the affected side and apply the cloth to the outside of your ear. Leave it on your ear for about 30 seconds, and then remove it for a minute. Repeat these steps four or five times. It may help to lie down on the affected side of your body afterward. This may help facilitate water drainage.
4. Use a blow dryer
Set your blow dryer to its lowest settings. You should hold the hair dryer about a foot away from your ear and move it in a back-and-forth motion. While tugging down on your earlobe, let the warm air blow into your ear. The heat from the dryer may evaporate the water inside of your ear canal.
5. Use alcohol and vinegar eardrops
Combine equal parts alcohol and vinegar to make eardrops. Use a sterile dropper to apply three or four drops of this mixture into your ear. Then, gently rub the outside of your ear. Wait 30 seconds, and tilt your head sideways to let the solution drain out. If the trapped water occurs due to earwax buildup, the vinegar may remove it. The alcohol will evaporate the water. Alcohol also works to eliminate bacterial growth. Don’t use this method if you think you may already have any of these conditions:
- an ear infection
- a punctured eardrum or Eustachian tubes
- a perforated eardrum or Eustachian tubes
6. Use hydrogen peroxide eardrops
Hydrogen peroxide can help clear the following from your ear:
- debris
- earwax
- bacteria
- trapped water
Using a clean dropper, place three to four drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear. Wait two to three minutes. Then, tilt the affected side downward, allowing the fluid to drain out.
Don’t use this method if you think you may already have any of these conditions:
- an ear infection
- a punctured eardrum or Eustachian tubes
- a perforated eardrum or Eustachian tubes
7. Yawn or chew
The narrow pathway connecting the middle ear cavity with the back of each nostril can swell and become blocked from allergies or infection. This can feel like water in your ear.
Mouth motions, such as yawning or chewing gum, can sometimes help to open the tubes. If the full sensation in your ear is relieved by these actions, this feeling was likely because of an issue with the Eustachian tubes in your ear.
8. Perform the Valsalva maneuver
Close your mouth and gently squeeze your nostrils shut with your fingers. Breathe deeply, and slowly blow the air out of your nose. If you hear a popping sound, it means the Eustachian tubes have opened. If this method works for you, it may indicate that there was a problem with your Eustachian tubes. Although this can cause you to feel as if water is trapped in your ear canal, that isn’t the case.
9. Take over-the-counter medication
A number of over-the-counter eardrops are also available. Most are alcohol-based and work by killing bacteria or removing earwax and debris.
When to see your doctor
If the water in your ear doesn’t drain out after two or three days, you should consult your doctor. If your ear becomes inflamed or swollen, you may have developed an ear infection. This also requires medical attention. Your doctor can prescribe medications to eliminate infection and alleviate pain.
People with eczema, a common condition affecting the skin around the ear, may be at an increased risk of getting ear infections. Children under age 3 may also be at increased risk, particularly if they have a history of ear infections.
An ear infection can become serious if you don’t get treatment for it. It may lead to hearing loss or other complications, such as cartilage and bone damage.
The bottom line
Trapped water usually goes away without treatment. You may choose to try a home treatment to resolve any discomfort you may be experiencing. If the water is still trapped after two to three days or if you show signs of infection, you should consult your doctor.
