Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Dry out your ears
• Method 2 of 3: Let the moisture drain from your ears
• Method 3 of 3: Treat medical causes
• Tips
• Warnings

It can be unpleasant to have water or moisture in your ears, but you don't have to learn to live with it. Moisture will usually drain on its own, but you can give the process a helping hand with some simple tricks. Drain the moisture with simple techniques you can perform yourself. You can also let the moisture dry with ear drops or a hair dryer. If you think you have an ear infection, see a doctor for treatment.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Dry out your ears

1. Clean your ears with hydrogen peroxide. Half fill an ear pipette with hydrogen peroxide. Tilt your head so that the ear in question is facing up. Drop the hydrogen peroxide into your ear. When you no longer hear any crackling (this is usually within 5 minutes), tilt your head so that the ear in question is pointing down. Pull on your earlobe to drain the moisture from your ear.

   Tip: hydrogen peroxide can help evaporate the moisture and remove the wax that is holding it back.

   
   
2. Put ear drops in your ears. You can get these without a prescription from pharmacies and drugstores. Ear drops are usually sold with a pipette, but if not, you can usually buy a pipette at the pharmacy. You can also make your own ear drops by mixing equal amounts of white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol.

   Using ear drops

   Warm the ear drops to room temperature: ear drops that are too hot or too cold can make you dizzy. Put the bottle of ear drops in your pocket for half an hour and walk around to let them warm to the right temperature.

   Read the directions on the packaging: always read the directions on the packaging, including the side effects that may occur.

   
   

   Check the expiration date: never use expired ear drops.

   Ask a friend to help you: it is difficult to put ear drops in your own ear, so get someone to help you.

   For adults and teenagers: lay your head on a towel so that the ear in question is facing up. Have your friend gently pull your earlobe up and out and instill the correct amount of ear drops into the ear canal. Push the flap in your ear to allow the fluid to flow into the ear, then wait 1-2 minutes.

   For children: have the child put his head on a towel so that the affected ear is facing up. Gently pull the child's earlobe out and down to straighten the ear canal. Place the correct amount of ear drops in the ear. Push the flap in the ear and wait 2-3 minutes.

   If you have fluid in both ears: wait about five minutes or put a cotton ball in the first ear before treating the second ear.

   
   
3. Blow into your ear with a hair dryer. Set the hair dryer on the lowest setting with as little heat and power as possible. Hold the hair dryer about six inches from your ear. Let the cool air blow into your ear. The air can help to partially dry the moisture that is trapped in your ear.
4. After swimming and showering, dry the outer ear with a towel. Do not put the towel in your ear. Just wipe off the water on the outside to prevent more moisture from getting into your ears.
5. Avoid using cotton swabs and tissues in your ears. These can irritate and scratch your ears on the inside, making you more likely to get an ear infection. If you are unable to get the water out of your ears on your own, see a doctor for treatment.

Method 2 of 3: Let the moisture drain from your ears

1. Pull on the outside of your ear as you tilt your head. Let your affected ear point down to the floor. Pull your earlobe and the cartilage in your outer ear in different directions to open your ear. You may feel the moisture pouring out of your ears. Repeat the process on your other ear if necessary.
   • This is a great way to get water out of your ears after swimming or showering.
2. Create a vacuum with your hand to remove the moisture. Place your palm firmly on your ear. Push your ear a few times before removing your hand. Then tilt your ear down so that the moisture can drain out.
3. Relieve the pressure with a gentle Valsalva maneuver. Inhale and hold your breath. Pinch your nose with two fingers and exhale through your nose to force air into the Eustachian tube. You should hear a popping sound when this works. Tilt your head down and let the affected ear point towards the floor to allow the moisture to drain from your ear.
   • Don't do this if you think you have an ear infection.
   • Be careful when you blow air out of your nose. If you do this too hard, you can get a nosebleed.
4. Pinch your nose and yawn to let the fluid flow down your throat. Close your nostrils with your fingers. Yawn deep a few times in a row. Doing this allows moisture to flow into your throat and out of your ears.
5. Lie down with the affected ear down. Lie on your side with your affected ear against a towel, pillow, or cloth. After a few minutes, the moisture will drain from your ear. You can also take a nap or try this at night while you sleep.
6. Chew gum or food. Chewing often causes the Eustachian tube to open. Tilt your head while chewing to make sure the moisture flows out of your ears. If you don't have gum or food with you, pretend you're chewing.
   • You can also suck on some acidity to achieve the same effect.
7. Use steam to remove the moisture from your ear. Sometimes a long, hot shower is enough to get the moisture out of your ear. If not, a simple steam treatment can dilute the moisture so that it flows out of your ear more easily. Pour hot water into a bowl. Lean over the bowl and put a towel over your head. Inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes. Then tilt your affected ear to one side to let the moisture out.

   Steam treatment at home
   Fill a bowl with hot, steaming water. Add a few drops if you wish anti-inflammatory oil like chamomile oil or tea tree oil. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl and breathe in the steam 5-10 minutes in. Then tilt your affected ear to one side and let the moisture flow from your ear into the bowl.
   Be careful: always be careful with steam, as steam can get very hot. Hold your hand over the steam to see if it's a comfortable temperature before putting your face over the steaming bowl.

Method 3 of 3: Treat medical causes

1. Take a decongestant if you have a sinus infection or a cold. The decongestant will cause the moisture to drain from your ears on its own. Use the medication according to the directions on the package. You can use an over-the-counter decongestant such as Otrivin or Nasivin in pill or spray form.

   Decongestants: Not suitable for everyone
   Unfortunately, decongestants are not safe for certain groups of people. If you or a family member falls into one of these categories and needs a decongestant, get advice from your doctor before doing anything.
   Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding: many decongestants pose no risk to pregnant or breastfeeding women when used for a short period of time. However, not all decongestants have the same composition. Ask your doctor which decongestant is right for you.
   People taking other medications: it is always possible for a decongestant to interact with other medications. You will find more information about this in the package leaflet.
   Diabetics: decongestants usually raise blood sugar.
   People with high blood pressure: Decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels and reducing swelling in the nose, but this can also affect other blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Instead, opt for a cold medicine that's meant for people with high blood pressure.
   People with hypo- or hyperthyroidism: pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in many commonly used decongestants, can exacerbate many of the symptoms of hypo- and hyperthyroidism.
   People with glaucoma: decongestants generally have little effect on open angle glaucoma, which is the more common form. However, people with angle-closure glaucoma should be careful because decongestants dilate the pupils and cause reduced vision.

2. If your ears are not dry after 3-4 days, see your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe you a cortisone pill such as Prednisone or SoluMedrol. Use this medication according to your doctor's instructions. Your ears will usually be free of moisture after 3-4 days.
   • This pill will decrease the inflammation in your Eustachian tube so that the fluid flows out of your ears on its own.
3. Take the antibiotics your doctor prescribes. Antibiotics are especially important for children, but adults can use them too. The antibiotics fight the current infection and prevent you from getting another infection.
4. Have a doctor examine you for growths if you have fluid in one ear but don't have a cold. If you suddenly have fluid in one of your ears but there doesn't seem to be a reason for it, it could be a symptom of a growth like a benign tumor or cancer. Ask your doctor to refer you to an ear nose and throat specialist (ENT specialist). The ENT doctor will examine you for cancer.
   • The ENT specialist will start with a visual examination of your ear and blood tests. If the doctor thinks you have a growth in your ear, he or she will give you a local anesthetic and take a tissue sample for testing. He or she can also order an MRI scan.
5. Opt for surgery if there is no other way to get the moisture out of your ears. Because it can take a while for all the moisture to drain from your ears, your doctor may place a tube in your ear. When your ear has healed, the doctor will remove the tube at the practice. Your doctor will then check you from time to time to see if your ear is in good condition after surgery.
   • Children may only need to have the tubes in their ears for 4-6 months. Adults may only need to have the tubes in their ears for 4-6 weeks.
   • The first operation is performed on an outpatient basis and under anesthesia in a hospital. Tubes usually fall out of the ears on their own or can be removed by your doctor without anesthesia.

Tips

• Usually the moisture will flow out of the ears on its own. If this still hasn't happened after 3-4 days, see a doctor. Moisture that remains in the ear can cause an ear infection.
• If you think your child or baby has fluid in the ears, see a doctor with him or her for treatment.

Warnings

• Sticking cotton swabs and other foreign objects into your ears can damage your eardrum and make you partially or completely deaf.