How to Remove Water from Your Ear Safely

Most trapped water in your ear drains out on its own within a few minutes or hours. If it does not, you can try a few gentle techniques at home, such as tipping your head, tugging your earlobe or lying on your side. If water stays put for days, or you notice pain, itching or discharge, speak to a pharmacist or GP.

• A soft, clean towel or cloth
• A pillow or towel to lie on
• A hair dryer, if you choose to try one (optional)
• Ear drops, only if a GP or pharmacist has said they are suitable for you

1. Dry the outside of your ear gently with a soft towel or cloth. Do not push the cloth into the ear canal.
2. Tip your head to the side, with the affected ear facing down, and gently tug on your earlobe. This straightens the ear canal and helps water flow out.
3. If that does not work, lie on your side for a few minutes with your head on a pillow or towel. Gravity often lets the water drain slowly out.
4. Move your jaw around by yawning or chewing, then tip your head to the side again. This can help if water is stuck near the Eustachian tubes.
5. Try pinching your nose and exhaling gently to open the Eustachian tubes, then tip your head to the side.
6. Cup the palm of your hand over your ear and tilt your head to the side, gently pushing and releasing your palm to create a vacuum.
7. If you want to try a hair dryer, put it on the lowest heat and speed setting and hold it at least a foot away from your ear. Aim it at the opening for a short time.
8. If water still feels trapped, speak to your GP or pharmacist about ear drops. They can advise whether drops are suitable, as they are sometimes not recommended if your eardrum is damaged or you have an infection.

• Most of the time, water in your ears trickles out on its own after a few minutes or hours. It can get trapped if you have a narrow ear canal or if earwax is blocking the way out.
• Trapped water, combined with the warm conditions of the ear, makes an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and cause an infection called otitis externa, also known as swimmer's ear.
• Signs of water trapped in your ear include muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear canal and a tickly feeling in the ear.
• Signs of swimmer's ear can include itchy ears, redness inside the ear, swelling in the ear canal or outer ear, discomfort or pain (particularly if you pull on your ear), discharge from the ear, discomfort when you move your jaw or eat, muffled hearing, dry or flaky skin around the outer ear and ear canal, and some temporary hearing loss.
• Do not use your finger, cotton buds or anything else to try to remove the water. This could lead to an infection or damage to your eardrum.
• Avoid putting anything in your ear without consulting your GP, pharmacist or audiologist first. That includes home remedies like olive oil, water or vinegar.
• Do not use hydrogen peroxide or drying drops if you have ear tubes or a ruptured eardrum.
• To reduce your chances of getting swimmer's ear, wear ear plugs designed for swimming, tip your head to the side after swimming to let excess water out, dry the outside of your ears with a clean towel after a shower, bath or swim, and wear a swimming cap if you swim regularly. You could also talk to an audiologist about custom ear protection.
• Avoid getting shampoo or hair spray in your ears, as these can irritate the skin.
• If you have an ear infection, do not go swimming until it has cleared up, and do not let water or shampoo get in your ear.
• See a pharmacist if your child is aged 1 to 17 years and you think they have an ear infection. A pharmacist can give children the same treatments as a GP.
• See a GP if your child is under 12 months old and you think they have an ear infection, if you have earache that does not get better after 3 days, or if you or your child keep getting ear infections.
• Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you or your child have symptoms of an ear infection and feel generally unwell, have a very high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery, have swelling around the ear, fluid is coming out of the ear, have a change in hearing or new hearing loss, feel sick or are being sick, feel dizzy or have a severe sore throat. Also seek urgent help if your child is under 12 months old and has earache in both ears, or if you have diabetes, a heart, lung, kidney or neurological condition, or a weakened immune system.
• You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old.

Will water come out of my ear naturally?

Most of the time, any water in your ears will trickle out on its own after a few minutes or hours. Sometimes it can get trapped due to a narrow ear canal, or if earwax is blocking its way out.

Can I use cotton buds to get the water out?

No. Do not use your finger, cotton buds or anything else to try to remove the water, as this could lead to an infection or even damage to your eardrum.

Can I use ear drops?

Speak to your GP or pharmacist about ear drops. Sometimes they are not suitable if your eardrum is damaged or if you have an infection.

When should I see a GP?

See a GP if you have earache that does not get better after 3 days, or if you or your child keep getting ear infections. See a pharmacist if your child is aged 1 to 17 years and you think they have an ear infection.

How can I prevent swimmer's ear?

Wear ear plugs designed for swimming, tip your head to the side after swimming, dry the outside of your ears with a clean towel, and wear a swimming cap if you swim regularly. You could also talk to an audiologist about custom ear protection.