GETTING water stuck in your ear in between dips can certainly put a damper on your holiday.
But the worst possible thing you could do in this case is stick your finger or cotton bud in your ear to dry and dislodge it.
You'll probably make matters worse by doing this and end introducing bacteria and pushing the water deeper in your ear.
Instead, here's a nifty, doctor approved trick you could try.
According to experts at the Mayo Clinic – Dr Jesse Bracamonte, a family medicine doctor, and Dr Nicholas Deep, an ears, nose, and throat specialist – all you need is a towel, as well as some rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
The doctors told USA Today that this is what you need to do to clear water out of your ear:
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- Use a towel to dry the area
- Put a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol and one part white vinegar in your ear
According to Dr Bracamonte, this mixture can actually help the water evaporate and prevent the growth of bacteria or fungi.
Dr Deep added that it can also change the ear canal’s pH, which aids in the evaporation process.
But he warned: “This method should be avoided if there's a risk of a perforated eardrum, ear tubes or a severe infection."
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He was quick to add that you shouldn't use cotton swabs, as they can damage the sensitive skin of your ear canal, potentially leading to an infection.
You could also try lying on side with your head on a towel and let gravity do its work, jiggle your earlobe, or create a vacuum with your to draw the water out, according to Healthline.
You can do that last trick by:
- Tilting your head sideways, and resting your ear onto your cupped palm, creating a tight seal
- Gently pushing your hand back and forth toward your ear in a rapid motion, flattening it as you push and cupping it as you pull away
- Tilting your head down to allow the water to drain
When should I seek help?
Most of the time, the water in your ear will evaporate naturally.
But in some cases, it will stick around in your ear canal and result in a painful infection referred to as 'swimmer's ear' or otitis externa.
According to NHS Inform, symptoms for this include:
- ear pain, which can be severe
- itchiness in the ear canal
- a discharge of liquid or pus from the ear
- some degree of temporary hearing loss or muffled hearing
According to Mayo Clinic, the pain can be intense, radiating across your face, head and neck, and you might also develop a fever.
You should see a GP if you have any of these symptoms.
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There are a few ways to prevent yourself from getting the nasty infection.
Dr Bracamonte advised: “Keep the ear dry and if swimming in water that has potentially high bacteria such as a lake, use the alcohol preparation with white vinegar to help the water dry uneventfully and prevent the growth of bacteria. It is cheap, easy, and a safe and effective home remedy."
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