{"id":67941,"date":"2023-09-26T08:59:56","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T08:59:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celeband.com\/?p=67941"},"modified":"2023-09-26T08:59:56","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T08:59:56","slug":"why-water-gets-stuck-in-your-ear-and-the-6-best-ways-to-get-it-out-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celeband.com\/lifestyle\/why-water-gets-stuck-in-your-ear-and-the-6-best-ways-to-get-it-out-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Why water gets stuck in your ear – and the 6 best ways to get it out | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
GETTING water stuck in your ear is a common problem after swimming \u2014 but few people know why it happens and how to get it out.<\/p>\n
The issue can lead to more serious problems, including painful infections.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dr Christie DeMason, of the University of North Carolina, said water or sweat can trickle into your ear at anytime, even if you don\u2019t set foot in a pool.<\/p>\n
She told Live Science: \u201cAnytime you go swimming or if you put earbuds or even hearing aids in, things can get trapped in your ear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fluids go in and out of your ears easily when taking a shower or swimming.<\/p>\n
However, water can occasionally make it to your ear canal and get stuck.<\/p>\n
The tube connecting the outside of your ear to the eardrum is S-shaped and water can get stuck behind the bends.<\/p>\n This is particularly common if you are born with a small ear canal, she said.<\/p>\n Water can get stuck behind ear wax as well, which stops the orange gunk doing its normal job of maintaining ears\u2019 acidity.<\/p>\n This normally helps prevent bacteria but the build up of water can turn your ears alkaline, making you more at risk of an infection.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Dr DeMason said: \u201cSwimmer's ear is a fancy way of saying an infection of the outer ear canal.\u201d<\/p>\n The condition \u2014 known medically as otitis externa \u2014 affects around one in 10 people in their lifetime and is five times more likely if you swim regularly.<\/p>\n It causes redness and swelling in the ear canal, as well as pain, itchiness, discharge and temporary hearing loss in some cases.<\/p>\n These symptoms can persist for several months or longer without treatment, and can even take several weeks to improve with ear drops, according to the NHS.<\/p>\n To prevent it, experts suggest you avoid using cotton buds or putting anything else in your ears \u2014 including fingers \u2014 unnecessarily.<\/p>\n You can also use ear plugs or a swimming cap to cover your ears while swimming.<\/p>\n If it does get stuck in your ears, it is important to get it out as soon as you\u2019ve finished exercising to minimise your risk of an infection.<\/p>\n 1. Use a hairdryer<\/strong><\/p>\n Using a blow dryer can help evaporate the water inside your ear canal \u2014 but make sure you stick it on its lowest setting.<\/p>\n Dr DeMason said: \u201cThe easiest way is to put a hairdryer on a low setting and then kind of gently dry it out.\u201d<\/p>\n 2. Wiggle your earlobe<\/strong><\/p>\n Gently tug at your earlobe and tilt your head towards your shoulder to shake the water out your ear.<\/p>\n If this doesn\u2019t work, try shaking your head side to side while in the position.<\/p>\n 3. Lie on your side<\/strong><\/p>\n Gravity can help drain the water out your ear.<\/p>\n Try lying on your side with a towel around your head to catch droplets for a few minutes.<\/p>\n 4. Create a vacuum<\/strong><\/p>\n If that doesn\u2019t work, you can try sucking it out by creating a vacuum with your hands.<\/p>\n Tilt your head as before, and place your cupped palm against your ear to create a tight seal.<\/p>\n Push your hand back and forth, flattening and cupping it, to create the vacuum.<\/p>\n 5. Eardrops<\/strong><\/p>\n A doctor may prescribe you eardrops after swimming.<\/p>\n Over-the-counter options can also soften earwax, helping water escape.<\/p>\n 6. More water<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite being the cause of the problem, more water can also be the solution.<\/p>\n If you add a few drops of water to your ear while lying down and wait five seconds, all of it should come out when you turn over.<\/p>\n<\/picture>BEST SERVED FRESH <\/span><\/p>\n
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