Home remedies to remove water from the ear

Who has not suffered from this cumbersome situation of having something in the ear? Our ears, due to their shape, can easily suffer due to the entry of foreign agents, be they insects and water. Water can enter the ear for example, when we are swimming and, in the bathroom, with the improper head position.

Water normally leaves the ear as easily as it enters the ear. However, sometimes the water in the ear can get into the ear canal, giving you the feeling of a blocked ear. This, in turn, can lead to earache , itching, hearing problems, ringing, and ear infections. Such conditions, when left untreated, can permanently damage your hearing. Therefore, you should remove the water from the ear as soon as possible. But how to do it? Here are some tips and tricks, as well as home remedies to get rid of the water inside your ear.

How to get water out of the ear immediately

It is always best to remove the water from the ear as soon as possible. So, if you are swimming or taking a bath and you notice that there is water in your ear, do the following immediately.

  • Get out of the water. Whether you are in a pool, the bathtub or in the shower. Get out of the water so that no more water gets into your ear.
  • Shake your head Move your head from side to side keeping the side of your affected ear slightly tilted so that water can flow out of it.
  • Tilt your head and use a little force. Bend your head on the side of the affected ear. Place your ear up to the shoulder and hit the opposite side of the head with the palm. This may be enough to force the water out of the ear.

If all the above steps did not help to remove the water from your ear, take the help of some of the specialized movements that can work wonders for you. Here are some of the simple but effective movements to remove water from your ear.

Gravity helps draw water out of the ear

This movement can be called gravity drainage from the ear. You can do it while you are standing or lying down.

Stand up and bow your head

  • You simply need to tilt your head with the affected ear down for gravity to work on it and help drain the water from the ear.
  • Keep your head moving gently back and forth while you pull on your earlobe. This will open the ear canal for the water to drain out.

Lie down to remove water from your ear

  • Lie on the bed with your head hanging down from its edge.
  • Tilt your head hanging so that your affected ear is down.
  • Now gravity will have its own course and will help drain the water from your ear.
  • Sometimes sleeping on your side with the affected ear on the pillow can also help drain the water.

Create a vacuum in your ear to expel the water

  • Tilt your head to the side of the affected ear and place your palm under your ear.
  • Gently push your palm in and out until the water starts to flow out of your ear. By doing this, a suction vacuum is created as it draws the water out of the ear into your palm.
  • You can also use your finger instead of your palm to create a vacuum in the ear.
  • Place a finger in the affected ear, which should be pointing downward.
  • Quickly push and pull your finger to create a vacuum.
  • It will take just a few seconds for the water to come out of your ear.

Caution: Never try to create a vacuum with the affected ear facing up. This will push the water further back into the ear canal. Also, always deal with the palm first. It is not recommended to use your finger in your ear. Use your fingers to remove the water from your ear only when you cannot be successful in creating a vacuum with your palm. Before putting your finger in your ear, always clean your fingers properly and make sure your nails are not long or sharp. Don’t put your finger deep into your ear.

Use the Valsalva maneuver

The Valsalva maneuver is the common way to open a plugged ear. It helps to pop the ears to open the Eustachian tubes. This, in most situations will push the water out of the ears.

  • Pinch your nose with your fingers, keeping your lips closed.
  • Now blow your nose gently.
  • Because you have covered the nose with your hand, the force will be placed on the eardrums causing a popping action. If you do the movement correctly, you will hear a soft clicking sound indicating that your Eustachian tubes are open.
  • This will likely push the water out of your ear.

Caution: Don’t be too harsh while blowing with your nose tight. This can cause some damage to your ears or nose. Blow your nose down gently.

Yawning or chewing movements help draw water out of the ear

Nothing can be easier than this. You just have to act like you are yawning or chewing.

  • Open your mouth and yawn. You may hear a sound inside your ear. It is due to the pressure created in the middle ear and the stretching of the ear canal.
  • Now tilt your head to the side of your affected ear and shake it a little to drain the water.
  • You can also do the chewing motion. This works in the same way as yawning by creating pressure inside the ear. If you can’t act, eat some gum.

Here are some ways to get rid of water in the ear as soon as it gets inside the ear. But what if you’ve been in there for a considerable time and now you feel uncomfortable with water stuck in your ear? There are home remedies for this. The following remedies can get you to get rid of the water in the ear.

Home remedies to remove water from the ear

These remedies are not only for removing water, but also for removing any other fluid that could enter the ear. This fluid can also accumulate in the ear due to an ear infection. You should always consult a doctor for the treatment of these types of ear infections. However, you can use the following home remedies to drain fluid, but don’t cancel your doctor’s appointment. In case of water in the ear, you may just have to use the remedies alone.

Steam

When you steam the ear, it helps open the Eustachian tube, helping water drain out of the ear easily.

You need:

  • A large bowl full of hot water
  • A towel

Do this:

  1. Place the bowl on a flat surface.
  2. Cover your head with the towel and put it over the mug so that the steam cannot escape.
  3. Tilt your head so that your affected ear is over the cup.
  4. Stay in this position for as long as possible, but no more than 10-15 minutes.
  5. The steam will help loosen the fluid that will then leak out of your ear.

Hot compress

If the steam is too much for you, try giving your affected ear heat therapy. The easiest way to do this is to get a heat pack that works in the same way as the steam treatment. This will help open your Eustachian tubes so that fluid or water can escape without any difficulty.

Take this:

  • A bowl full of hot water
    • Washcloth

Do this:

  • Soak the cloth in the hot water
    • Squeeze out the excess water to make your heat pack.
    • Hold this compress against your affected ear for only 30 seconds.
    • Take a half to an hour break.
    • Repeat.
    • Do this for 3-4 times.
    • Now tilt your head or lie down with the affected ear toward the ground so that the water can flow out of your ear.

Use a hair dryer to remove the water from the ear

This is not a foolproof method of getting rid of water from the ear, but for some people it may work. The warm, dry air can turn the water into steam which is then removed from the ear. You have to be very cautious while using a hair dryer to remove water from the ear. Intense heat can damage your hearing. Always run the hair dryer on its low heat setting. Also, keep at least 30 cms. away from the ear to minimize any detrimental effects.

You need:

  • Hairdryer

Do this:

  • Hold the earlobe of your affected ear and pull it a little.
  • Hold the hair dryer in your other hand and place it at least 12 inches. away from your ear. The dryer should be on its low heat setting.
  • Turn on the dryer and let the hot air blow into your ear canal for just half a minute.
  • Turn the dryer off after 30 seconds.
  • Take a break for 30 seconds to 1 minute, and then repeat the process.
  • Do this only for 3-4 times and no more than that.
  • If you feel this practice too hot or if you feel some pain in your ear or face, stop immediately and do not repeat again.

Caution: Be very careful when handling the hair dryer on the ear and face. Use this remedy as a last resort.

Make an ear drop with rubbing alcohol and vinegar

Rubbing alcohol is a drying agent and can help dry the water in your ear. Vinegar helps keep bacterial infections at bay as it has antibacterial properties.

You need:

  • 1 part rubbing alcohol
  • 1 part apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Sterile ear dropper

Do this:

  1. Mix the rubbing alcohol and vinegar.
  2. Using the sterile dropper, pour 3-4 drops of the solution into the affected ear.
  3. This will help you break up the infection as well as the ear wax. It will also help dry the water in the ear.

Use hydrogen peroxide to remove water from the ears

This is not only a remedy to get rid of water in the ear, but also a preventive measure for swimmers who frequently face this problem. Hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, in fact, works to remove wax from the ear. This ear wax can trap water in the ear. Therefore, if you swim a lot, use this remedy to prevent water from being held in the ear.

You need:

  • 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
  • Sterile Ear Dropper
  • Hair dryer

Do this:

  1. Fill the dropper with the hydrogen peroxide halfway
  2. Pour the solution into your ear
  3. Feel the bubble and the explosion
  4. Now tilt your head to the side and pull back at the top of your ear to allow the solution to drain properly.
  5. With the hair dryer, dry the ear canal to remove any moisture that may be there inside your ear. Don’t forget to set the dryer on the low heat and blow setting. Also, keep it 1 foot away from your ear.

Use sea salt to get rid of the water in the ear

It is a well-known fact that salt as a remedy draws toxins out of your body. So, if the water is there in your ear or there is any accumulation of fluid in the ear, you can use salt compresses to get rid of them.

You need:

  • ¼ cup of sea salt
  • Clean cotton cloth

Do this:

  1. Heat the salt. You can do this using a microwave to make it practical (although you can do it in a pan).
  2. Now, take the hot salt and put it on the cloth.
  3. Tie the cloth to make a hot compress with the salt.
  4. Hold this compress against your affected ear for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Now remove the compress and tilt your head to let the water flow out of your ear.

Dos and don’ts to prevent and remove water from the ear

  1. Always dry your ears after swimming. To do this, wipe the water out of them with a clean cloth. Dry the area near your ear canal.
  2. Tilt your head to the side and shake excess water out of your ears.
  3. See a doctor any time you feel pain in your ear or see yellow-green pus draining from your ear. If so, don’t try to remove the water from your ear yourself. Inform the doctor when doing this.
  4. Do not use cotton swabs or tissues to clean or dry the ears. These can damage the skin inside your ear canal making your ear condition worse.
  5. Don’t use earplugs or cotton balls in your ears when water has gotten stuck in them.
  6. Do not use the headphones until the water runs out of the ear and the pain subsides.

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