Feeling like you have water in your ear can be uncomfortable and irritating, but it is also fairly common. In some cases water in the ear can come with pain and reduced hearing. Ear wax works to catch most of the moisture that enters the ear canal, but sometimes fluid is able to travel deeper inside. There are different parts of your ear that the water can travel to, some more serious than others.
Without treatment water in the ear can lead to a number of issues including hearing loss, the formation of cysts, inflammation of the eardrum, and more. Here are some at home remedies you can use to remove water from your ear, plus signs you should visit your local Urgent Medical Center.
Outer Ear Vs. Middle Ear
The ear can be broken down into three different parts, the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The outer ear includes the portion you can see and extends to the ear canal, which ends at the eardrum. The middle ear is located behind the eardrum, and the inner ear is even further inside and is connected by three small bones. The inner ear helps you with hearing and balance.
Home remedies usually work to remove fluids from the outer ear. If the fluid is trapped in your middle or inner ear you will need to visit your local Urgent Medical Center to have a doctor safely remove it.
5 Home Remedies To Get Water Out Of Your Ear:
1. Let Gravity Do The Work
The first thing you can always try when you get water in your ear is to let gravity take over. Try lying down or tilting your side to the side with the affected ear face down. If this doesn’t work use the palm of your hand as a suctioning tool. Place the flat of your palm against your ear and press hard for a few seconds. Quickly release your hand and repeat a few times. Have a piece of cotton on hand to collect the draining fluids.
2. Use Heat Therapy To Dislodge Water
Some people find heat therapy helpful to remove water from ears. Applying a hot compress over the affected ear can help expand the Eustachian tube, which allows the fluids to more easily escape. Simply dip a clean cloth in hot water, wring out any excess water, and apply over your ear for around 30 seconds. Remove the towel and wait one minute before repeating again. Repeat continuously about 4-5 times. After, rest on your side with your affected ear face down, giving the fluids the opportunity to drain out.
3. Use Steam To Draw Fluids Out Of Your Ear
When you inhale steam your Eustachian tube opens up, helping release fluids. This is very similar to the process mentioned in #2, but works better for some people.
- Start by preparing a bowl of steaming hot water.
- Place your head directly over the bowl and use a towel to cover your head, so that it’s just you and the steamy water beneath the towel.
- Sit like this for 5-10 minutes.
- 3Remove the towel and tilt your head to the side and fluid will release.
There are other ways to create a steamy environment, such as taking a hot shower, or going in a sauna.
4. Use Your Blow Dryer To Turn Water Into Vapor
Your blow dryer can help relieve water from your ear but you have to be careful with this tactic because you don’t want to burn yourself. Make sure to hold the blow dryer a good foot away from your ear, and place it on the lowest heat setting.
You don’t have to blow the dryer directly into your ear. You can also move it back and forth across the opening of your ear, whatever works best for you. You will continue to hold the dryer like this until you feel the moisture releasing. The warm air will physically alter the water trapped inside, turning it into vapor.
5. Yawn And Chew To Open Eustachian Tubes And Release Water In Ear
If you yawn big enough you will hear a popping sound, which may signal the shifting of water in your ear. Sometimes all you need to do to help release fluids is make a few big yawns. Chewing gum, or making exaggerated chewing motions have the same effect by opening up your Eustachian tubes so that trapped water has a better chance of getting out when you tilt your head to the side.
When To Visit Urgent Medical Center For Water In Ear
Never place anything inside of your ear to try and pull the water out. If home remedies don’t work you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Other signs you need to visit a doctor for water in your ear include:
- Yellow puss draining from ear
- Ear drainage has foul scent
- Hearing loss
- Ear or ear canal feels itchy
Want instant relief from water in your ear? Visit Urgent Medical Center today for fast, reliable medical attention our community counts on!
