{"id":881,"date":"2022-09-23T17:07:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-24T00:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mccoyinstitute.org\/?p=881"},"modified":"2022-09-23T17:07:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-24T00:07:47","slug":"how-to-safely-remove-water-from-your-ear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mccoyinstitute.org\/how-to-safely-remove-water-from-your-ear\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Safely Remove Water from Your Ear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Swimming may be a great way to spend the end of summer, but doing so could put you at risk of a condition known as swimmer\u2019s ear. This doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t swim \u2013 it just means you should take care to remove water from your ears after you\u2019re done. Below we review how to do so as well as when to see a health care provider for water in the ears.<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Remove Water from Your Ears<\/h2>\n\n
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Follow our tips below to remove water from your ears to prevent the infection known as swimmer\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n\n\n

Tilt Your Head<\/h3>\n\n\n

Sometimes all you need to do to remove water from your ears is tilt your head to one side or lay sideways with your ear on a towel for a few minutes. For a more effective method, you can create a vacuum by tilting your head, resting your ear on your cupped palm to form a seal and moving your hand back and forth to draw the water out.<\/p>\n\n\n

Gently Tug Your Earlobe<\/h3>\n\n\n

You can also try tugging gently on your earlobe backward or downward, which moves the cartilage of the ear canal, making a straighter path for water to roll out. You can also shake your head from side to side while doing this.<\/p>\n\n\n

Use a Hair Dryer<\/h3>\n\n\n

Air dry the ears using a hair dryer on the lowest, coolest setting. Hold the hair dryer a few inches from your ear and move it back and forth to prevent a burn.<\/p>\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Try Q-Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n

You should never stick Q-tips into the ear in an attempt to remove the water. Not only can this introduce bacteria to a moist environment \u2013 a recipe for infection<\/a> \u2013 but you also risk pushing wax deep into the ear canal or puncturing your eardrum.<\/p>\n\n\n

When to See a Doctor<\/h2>\n\n\n

You should see a doctor if you feel like you\u2019re starting to develop an infection known as swimmer\u2019s ear. Symptoms of swimmer\u2019s ear include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n