Last day, I got invited to a birthday celebration of our neighbor. Since the birthday celebrant was a kid, the celebration was held in a pool nearby as requested. We enjoyed playing in the water not until the water get on my ear, left ear specifically. I thought it would be okay the next day but it is already two days from now that I suffered slight defining in my left ear. There's something heavy I feel inside up to my jaw line and I couldn't feel my ear. I also hear something inside like an air or something. I am totally worried and I search articles on the internet and try few of them which is also available and easy for me.
12 Ways to Get Water Out of Your Ear Medically reviewed by Chris Young, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD — Written by Corey Whelan — Updated on June 30, 2021
Swimming is often the cause, you can get water trapped in your ear canal from any exposure to water. If this happens, you may feel a tickling sensation in your ear. This feeling may extend to your jawbone or throat. You may also not be able to hear as well or only hear muffled sounds.
(That's what i've been feeling right now.)
Usually, the water drains out on its own. If it doesn’t, the trapped water may lead to an ear infection. This type of ear infection in the external auditory canal of your outer ear is called swimmer’s ear. It’s not hard to get water out of your ear on your own. These 12 tips can help. How to remove water from your ear canal If water gets trapped in your ear, you can try several at-home remedies for relief:
1. Jiggle your earlobe
This first method may shake the water out of your ear right away. 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.
I did this method the day I've got water in my ear but it doesn't work.
2. Make gravity do the work
With this technique, gravity should help the water drain from your ear. Lie on your side for a few minutes, with your head on a towel to absorb the water. The water may slowly drain out of your ear.
I also did this method the same day I did the first method and I even jump with my head tilted in the affected side hoping to get the water out of my ear but it doesn't work as well.
3. Create a vacuum
This method will create a vacuum that may draw the water out. Tilt your head sideways, and rest your ear onto your cupped palm, creating 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. Tilt your head down to allow the water to drain.
I have learned this today, and I am trying this one. It's a bit helpful because I could feel that air is pulling out the water but it doesn't get any better. The water wouldn't come out.
4. Use a blow dryer
The heat from a blow dryer can help evaporate the water inside your ear canal. Turn on your blow dryer to its lowest setting. 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.
We don't have hair drier, so I use alternative instead. I clap my hands right before my ears and it produces air. But it doesn't help. Maybe because it's just too little air my hands can produce.
5. Try alcohol and vinegar eardrops Alcohol can help evaporate the water in your ear. It also works to eliminate the growth of bacteria, which can help prevent infection. If the trapped water occurs due to earwax buildup, the vinegar may help remove it. Combine equal parts alcohol and vinegar to make eardrops. Using a sterile dropper, apply three or four drops of this mixture into your ear. Gently rub the outside of your ear. Wait 30 seconds, and tilt your head sideways to let the solution drain out.
Don’t use this method if you have any of these conditions: a middle ear infection a perforated eardrum tympanostomy tubes (eardrum tubes) Shop for rubbing alcohol and vinegar online.
Since do have history of infection before due to some insects getting inside my ear. I didn't even try this method.
6. Use hydrogen peroxide eardrops Hydrogen peroxide solutions can help clear debris and earwax, which may be trapping water in your ear. You can find eardrops online that use a combination of urea and hydrogen peroxide, called carbamide peroxide, to unclog earwax in the ears.
Don’t use this method if you have any of these conditions: signs of injury or infection such as pain, swelling, warmth, drainage, bleeding from ear a middle ear infection a perforated eardrum tympanostomy tubes (eardrum tubes)
I did drop some eardrops yesterday to avoid infection but I don't know if it's a hydrogen peroxide. I think it's not. It doesn't give any better to my condition but at least it prevents infection.
7. Try olive oil.
Olive oil can also help prevent infection in your ear, as well as repel water out. Warm some olive oil in a small bowl.
Place a few drops on your inner wrist to test the temperature.
Using a clean dropper, place a few drops of the oil into the affected ear.
Lie on your other side for about 10 minutes, and then sit up and tilt the ear downward. The water and oil should drain out.
We don't have any olive oil at home. And I am not quite confident about this one, so I better not try it.
8. Try more water This technique may sound illogical, but it can actually help draw water out of your ear.
Lying on your side, fill the affected ear with water using a clean dropper.
Wait 5 seconds and then turn over, with the affected ear facing down. All of the water should drain out.
This method gets me confusing and worries gets on my nerves. Actually this is also what my friend advices me. But I don't get the wisdom behind it, so I prefer not doing it the previous days. But it's been two days now and I desperate to make it better so, I will try it later when I take a bath.
9. Take over-the-counter medication
A number of over-the-counter (OTC) eardrops are also available. Most are alcohol-based and can help reduce moisture in your outer ear canal, as well as kill bacteria or remove earwax and debris.
Since we did put eardrops on my ear yesterday, I think we did this one.
10. Yawn or chew
When water gets stuck in your eustachian tubes, moving your mouth can sometimes help to open the tubes.
Yawn or chew gum to relieve tension in your eustachian tubes.
I try this one and it's not really helpful. Maybe it's not suitable for my case because it's been two days now.
11. Perform the Valsalva maneuver
This method can also help open closed eustachian tubes. Be careful not to blow too hard. This can damage your ear drum.
Breathe deeply. Then close your mouth and gently squeeze your nostrils shut with your fingers.
Slowly blow the air out of your nose. If you hear a popping sound, it means the eustachian tubes have opened.
This one is effective though it's not getting better yet but I could feel that it really help. The way I hear my eustachian tubes open. I could feel little better every time.
12. Use steam.
Warm steam can help release water from your middle ear through your eustachian tubes. Try taking a hot shower or giving yourself a mini sauna with a bowl of hot water.
Fill a large bowl with steaming hot water.
Cover your head with a towel to keep the steam in, and hold your face over the bowl.
Inhale the steam for 5 or 10 minutes, and then tilt your head to the side to drain your ear.
I couldn't apply it right now 'cause mom was done cooking and I don't have any fire in the kitchen anymore.
Closing thought
While I am typing this article, my ear doesn't fully get better yet. I am worried, but I will continue to try few method on how to get water out from the ear. I will not lose hope. I still believe it would get better soon. I thanks for this article I saw online as I search. It doesn't get better but it help and put some worries away.
In life problems and worries is our twin and even become our shadow. Behind those happy moments there is always problems accompanied but it's normal. Don't make it as an excuse to not enjoy the next time and be happy. Don't let fear and worries consume you or don't panick because it doesn't help at all. Find ways, search for solutions because problems remains problems if you just worry there and don't think and try any solution about it. Aside form that never forget to PRAY.
Thanks so much for reading.
If you knew few methods and technique, can you tell me in the comment box below? I would appreciate it for it would really help me. Thanks in advance.
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Is the water already out maam? You can try chewing gums, it might work.