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Originally written July 11, 2019
You exit the water after a great day at the pool and notice your hearing sounds off. Yes, you might have water in your ear. Getting it out is not difficult, but we want to make sure you do so safely to avoid an infection.
Water can easily get stuck in your ears. This can happen when you swim in pools or natural bodies of water. It can also occur when you take long baths or showers.
However, some are more prone to it than others. If you have excessive ear wax, narrow ear canals, or bone growths in your ear canal, water can trap inside.
If water stays inside your ear, it may cause a condition known as swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear. Caused by bacteria that thrive in moist conditions. Symptoms include ear pain, itching, ear canal swelling, redness, discomfort, and fluid drainage.
If it gets worse, you may experience more intense pain, itching, redness, and fluid damage. In severe cases, the pain may spread to the rest of your face, neck, or side of your head. The lymph nodes in your neck may swell, and you may also develop a fever.
Plenty of simple remedies exist for getting water out of your ear. First, try tilting your head in the direction of the blocked ear and jiggling your earlobe. You can also lie down on a towel and let gravity draw the water from your ear.
The hot air from a hair dryer may also evaporate the water. Make sure to turn it to its lowest setting and hold it about a foot from your ear, though.
Some over-the-counter medicines can help reduce moisture and kill bacteria that may be in the water. Do not use products like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on your ear without talking to a doctor. They might cause a burn.
Don’t use a Q-tip or other object you would have to insert into your ear. Doing this can push water deeper into your ear. It can also compress earwax in your ear canal or even puncture your eardrum.
You can keep the inside of your ears dry by wearing ear plugs or a swimmer’s cap. Thoroughly drying the outside of your ear when you exit the water can also help prevent water from draining into it.
Yes, you should see a doctor if you have ongoing ear pain, swelling, or drainage. This will help check for swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear usually requires treatment with prescription ear drops.
Water in the ear can be a nuisance, but we don’t want it to cause any health problems. If you think you have swimmer’s ear or are having trouble getting water out, make an appointment with a CEENTA doctor today.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.
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