This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
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If you catch yourself asking “What did you say?” after a relaxing afternoon in the pool, you probably have some water in your ear that’s causing some problems. Getting water stuck in your ear canal happens to everyone sometimes, and most of the time it comes out with a little tilt or shake of your head. If you’ve tried everything to get the water out and it’s still not budging, it may be time to try something new. We’ve put together the best, safest ways to get pesky water out of your ear so you can hear clearly and prevent an infection. If you’re ready to unclog your ears and stop saying “Huh?” when someone says something, read on!
Things You Should Know
- Try to drain the water naturally first. Tilt your head, lie down, chew gum, yawn, or use the Valsalva maneuver to dislodge stuck water from your ear.
- Try over-the-counter ear drying drops or a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and distilled, white vinegar to dry out water and prevent infection.
- See a doctor if the stuck water causes pain, redness, fever, or drainage from your ear.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan you just use rubbing alcohol if you don't have vinegar?
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MSLuba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
Board-Certified Family Nurse PractitionerNot according to clinical guidelines we use in family practice when we advise patients in preventing water in the ears that can lead to infection such as Swimmer’s ear. The best prevention is to keep ears dry and prevent infection by instilling 2-3 drops of equal part of white vinegar, isopropyl alcohol and water after each contact with water. This kind of solution is beneficial for prophylaxis as well as for those with persistent Swimmer’s Ear infections.
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Warnings
- Avoid using cotton swabs to clean your ears or remove water. They can push water deeper or scratch your ear canal, which makes it more prone to infection.[15]⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Don’t use earplugs or put cotton balls in your ears while there’s water in them. These can also push the water deeper and make it harder to remove or cause an infection.[16]⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-suffering-from-swimmers-ear/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi/ear-infections.html
- ↑ https://collincountyent.com/head-neck/how-do-i-get-water-out-of-my-ear/
- ↑ https://www.centamedical.com/how-to-get-water-out-of-your-ears/
- ↑ https://collincountyent.com/head-neck/how-do-i-get-water-out-of-my-ear/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23209-valsalva-maneuver
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-ways-to-steer-clear-of-swimmers-ear/
- ↑ https://www.pristyncare.com/blog/tips-to-get-rid-of-water-from-ear-pc0135/
- ↑ https://uihc.org/health-topics/otitis-externa-get-rid-swimmers-ear
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/best-ways-to-steer-clear-of-swimmers-ear/
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/swimmer-ear.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000622.htm
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/august/swimmers-ear
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/august/swimmers-ear
- ↑ http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/07/best-ways-to-steer-clear-of-swimmers-ear-this-summer/
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swimmers-ear/basics/treatment/con-20014723
About This Article
If hopping up and down isn't helping to remove water from your ears, the next best thing you do is to yawn or chew gum, since the motion your jaw makes can jar the water free. Own a hair dryer? Put it on the lowest setting, hold it a foot from your ear, and blow it into your ear. If nothing’s working, you can try using alcohol in your ear, which will help the water evaporate faster. Just make a half-and-half rubbing alcohol-white vinegar solution and put about a teaspoon in your ear, then drain your ear completely. For more information from our Medical reviewer on removing water from your ears, including when to see a doctor, read on!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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