ways to drain fluid, prevention tips

Whether it be in the ocean or a pool, swimming is a fun summertime activity. According to liveabout.com, there are 10.4 million residential and 309,000 public swimming pools in America. 

UNC Healthcare says millions of people each year are diagnosed with Otitis Externa, more commonly known as swimmer’s ear. According to the CDC, swimmer’s ear is most often caused by water staying in one’s ear for too long. To avoid swimmer’s ear and general discomfort, how do you get water out of your ear?

How to get water out of your ear

Healthline explains 12 different ways to help get water out of your ear. Some are more self-explanatory than others, while some require more steps: .

1. Shake your head and jiggle your earlobe. 
2. Lie on one side and let gravity pull the water out. 
3. Create a vacuum to suck the water out of your ear. Tilt your head sideways and put your ear in your palm. Cup your palm and create a tight seal. Push your hand into your ear back and forth rapidly. Tilt your head down and let the water drain 
4. Use a blow dryer on the lowest setting. Make sure to hold the dryer a foot away from your face.
5. Alcohol and vinegar drops. Combine equal parts alcohol and vinegar to make your own ear drops. Drop three to four drops in your ear. Wait 30 seconds before you drain your ear. 
6. Hydrogen peroxide drops. Healthline advises against this method if you show any signs of injury or infection, have a middle ear infection, a perforated eardrum or tympanostomy tubes.
7. Warm olive oil drops.
8. More water. 
9. Over the counter ear drops.
10. Yawn or chew.
11. The Valsalva maneuver. First take a deep breath and close your nostrils tightly with your fingers. Slowly breathe out your nose. 
12. Use steam. Fill a large bowl with streaming hot water. Then, cover your head with a towel and put your face over a bowl. Inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes then tilt your head to drain the water. 

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How to avoid water getting in your ear

WebMD provides six simple solutions to avoid getting water in your ear. 

1. Remove your earbuds if you’re sweaty.
2. Cover a cotton ball in petroleum jelly and put it in your outer ears during a bath.
3. Block your ears with cotton balls when using hairspray or hair dye. 
4. Use earplugs or a swim cap when going into the water. 
5. Have a doctor remove your earwax. Too much earwax can trap water in your ear canal.
6. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean out your wax buildup, only with a doctor’s permission.