How To Get Water Out Of Your Ear: 5 Techniques to Try

When you’re in the water for a prolonged period, some water will inevitably end up in your ears. This isn’t a problem for most people as their ears will naturally self-evacuate when leaving the water. However, some people for whom this doesn’t happen so quickly. Some people are prone to having excess moisture in their ears after being in the water for extended periods. This can lead to conditions such as the swimmer’s ear, which is an inflammation of the external canal of the ear. This article outlines 5 methods to help you get water out of your ear when spending time in the pool or ocean and avoid a swimmer’s ear.

Tilt Your Head and Shake

While this may seem a strange and even slightly ineffective way to get water out of your ear, it can work for some people, and it’s worth trying. When you’re in the water and water gets trapped in your ear, it creates a small pocket of air. The air pocket prevents the water from coming out naturally, which is why some people find they can’t get it out. When you overlay your head to the side and shake it, you’re creating a small amount of movement in the external canal of your ear. This movement can break up the air pocket and help get the water out.

Use Drying Drops

Drying drops are a quick and easy way to get the moisture out of your ears after spending time in the water. They usually have a drying agent in their formulae, such as alcohol, witch hazel, or a mixture of both. Drying drops are explicitly designed for water sports such as scuba diving, surfing, and water sports, where you’re likely to be underwater for a long time. Drying drops work by using a drying agent to remove the water from your ear canal. The best drying drops contain an agent that can break down the water molecules. This is often alcohol due to its effectiveness at breaking down water. Overlay your head to the side and place a few drops into the affected ear to use drying drops. Let them sit there for a few minutes, and then tilt your head to the other side to let the excess fluid drain out.

Use a Suction Device

Suction devices use a small amount of suction to remove water that has built up in your ear. This is often combined with a drying agent to help remove the moisture. Suction devices are easy to use, and you can get them at most pharmacies. Before using a suction device, clean the external canal of your ear to avoid getting any bacteria or debris into it. This is especially true if you have a perforated eardrum. You can do this by putting a few drops of an ear-cleaning solution in your ear and tilting your head to the side. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then wipe out any excess fluid.

Use a Strip of Adhesive Tape

Another way to get water out of your ear is by using a strip of adhesive tape. Here, you wrap a piece of medical tape around the outside of your ear, creating a slight suction effect. This draws the water upwards, out of your ear. It’s essential to ensure the tape is clean and sterile before applying it to your ear. You should also make sure you wrap the tape around your ear in an upwards motion. Wrapping it downwards around the ear can put pressure on the eardrum, which you don’t want to happen.

Try a Natural Remedy

One of the oldest and most effective ways to get water out of your ear is by using a natural remedy. There are some different recipes, but the general idea is to create a mixture of water, salt, and baking soda to help break down the water in your ear. The baking soda and salt act as drying agents, helping break down the water. The best way to do this is to make a small cup of the mixture and pour the liquid into your ear. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then tilt your head to the side to allow the excess fluid to drain out. This is a great way to avoid getting a swimmer’s ear as it can help break down the water that builds up in your ear after spending time in the water.

Conclusion

After spending time in the water, it’s essential to know how to get water out of your ear. Some people find this easy, but others experience some difficulties. To avoid a swimmer’s ear, getting the water out of your ear as soon as possible is essential. When water stays in your ear for too long, it can break down the skin and cause infection. Knowing how to get water out of your ear can be a quick and easy process. It’s essential to try the different techniques outlined above to see which one works best for you.