On several occasions we have recommended the use of special plugs for water, be it swimming, a normal bath in the pool or for showers. It is a protective barrier for the hearing and it is useful whether or not we have hearing problems. Well, if we don’t use it and water has gotten into our ears, we are going to explain some tips and tricks to empty them and get the water out of our ears quickly and safely.
Removing the water from the ears is important, since excess can lead to infections, especially if it is not clean water, that is, water from a pool, a lake, beach, soapy water, etc. It is true that the design of the ear itself makes it expel everything from the inside to the outside, but a little help never hurts, so today we are going to launch some tips, remedies and recommendations to get the water out of the ears without much effort or paraphernalia.
That between a little clean water is not bad, on the contrary, it is within our advice to clean the ears gently, but when a large amount enters and we feel that irritating sensation of having something loose inside the ear is when we want to put a solution to it.
Remedies to remove water from the ears
Currently there are some home remedies to get the water out of our ears, but none of them recommend the use of instruments, or swabs, or insert any object, or use olive oil, dilutions of alcohol and vinegar, etc. . These things are not recommended under any circumstances, either to remove water from the ears or to clean them.
If we believe that we have a plug or something inside the ear, it is best to put ourselves in the hands of a professional, since otherwise we could damage the ear with serious consequences such as bleeding, hearing loss, infection, ulcers, etc.
Lie on the side of your head that has water
It is the simplest and most effective method, both for adults and children. It consists of lying on the side of the head where the flooded ear is and placing a towel underneath. There is no time limit, since there are some who have already drawn the water in one minute and others who need 20 minutes.
It is a simple, comfortable and non-invasive technique that is what it is all about, to touch the inner ear as little as possible to avoid infection and damage. The ear is very sensitive and any change, blow, liquid, even inserting the dirty nail, is to have all the ballots to suffer an infection.
Jump with head cocked
The most mythical of the tips to empty the water that we have inside our ears. How many times have we seen people jumping in pools and on beaches with their heads cocked. This usually works, but lying on the side of the ear with water is safer and more effective.
When jumping with the head on one side we can get dizzy and lose our balance, apart from the fact that young children still do not have good control of their movements so it is quite likely that they will not release the water, so this trick is not valid for everyone.
Rub the outer ear
This is very common especially in adults after showering. It consists of rubbing the outer pinna of the ear with the head on one side. In this way we are cleaning the outside area and rescuing all the excess water that is in the ear. A painless and useful trick . It is also common for parents to do it to their young children after a bath or shower.
Let’s not forget that there is also the remedy of pulling the lobe in such a way that the water is forced out. This remedy could well be here or it could be accompanied by little jumps or movements of the head to perfect the technique and get all the water out.
Make vacuum in the ear
This technique is only suitable for adults with healthy ears, it is not recommended in the elderly or children, and much less in the case of people with hearing problems.
This remedy is more or less fast and effective, and consists of placing the open palm in the ear hole and pressing inwards with the head on one side and letting go suddenly. In this way , a pacifier effect is made and the water is removed from the interior.
It must be a painless method, if it hurts it is because something is not working quite well, so it is the perfect excuse to visit an otolaryngologist and have them examine us.
Bite or chew
Biting something or chewing gum creates a natural movement in the ear canal that encourages the expulsion of water or dirt from inside the ear . To increase the odds you have to chew with your head on one side.
What is achieved by chewing is to relax the tension in the Eustachian tubes and favors the expulsion of water to the outside. We must say that it does not always work and it is not that it is an effective method. If we want something quick, better try with the other remedies that we have counted so far.
Valsava maneuver (caution)
We may never have heard of this or read anything, but it is a well-known maneuver named after whoever invented it. This Italian doctor hit the key and is still used frequently to this day.
It is a method with which the pressures are equalized, both in underwater activities, such as in airplanes or when we have circumstances such as those of drawing water from the ears.
With this remedy you have to be very careful and it is not suitable for children, the elderly, ears with problems or anything. It consists of taking air, covering the mouth and nose and now blowing so that air comes out of the ears. If we blow with great force we can damage the eardrum.
Air in the ear (not highly recommended)
We have asked an otolaryngologist if it is a good idea to dry the ears with a dryer or some type of air and he has told us that if it is hot air we are going to burn and it is not recommended , if it is clean and fresh air we could do, at just like the air that gives us in the street.
Still, it is not a highly recommended method. It is best to use something more natural and let gravity do its job and help you with a sterile gauze which is the next and last trick to get the water out of the ears.
Insert a wrapped sterile gauze over the finger
It is very common, in fact, it is the most recommended even for dogs and cats. A very simple, painless, little intrusive, fast and effective way. Of course, we emphasize that it must be a sterile gauze, hands always clean and make very smooth and slow movements.
We must avoid using papers that degrade such as toilet paper, handkerchiefs and napkins that quickly tear, loose remains, are rough, irritate, etc.
The way to proceed is to tilt the head towards the side of the ear with water, wrap a finger in the sterile gauze, insert it into the ear (without forcing too much) and make gentle and slow movements. In a few seconds we will see that we have already extracted everything we wanted.
