How Does the Water in the Ear Come Out?
Running water has happened to almost everyone at least once in their life. Water escaping into the ear after swimming or in the bathroom can be uncomfortable after a while.
Running water has happened to almost everyone at least once in their life. Water escaping into the ear after swimming or in the bathroom can be uncomfortable after a while.Because the water that normally escapes into the ear comes out thanks to the ear wax (bun) due to the structure of the ear. However, if this water does not come out immediately and takes days, the water should be removed from the ear. Water leakage into the ear, which causes both difficulty and discomfort in hearing, can cause infections if not taken seriously.
Why Does Water Escape From the Ear?
The condition of water escaping into the ear, which is more common in situations such as swimming and diving, can also happen to you in the bathroom. Earwax, which accumulates in the ear, actually protects the ear from external factors. For this reason, objects such as ear sticks should not be inserted and completely cleaned of this dirt. In some ears, structurally, the buns can accumulate more. When the accumulation of earwax combines with water, it creates bloating. If the accumulation of the bun is too much, this swelling becomes more and causes blockage in the ear.
What Are the Symptoms of Water Leakage in the Ear?
Running water into the ear usually causes hearing problems. Symptoms of water leakage in the ear can be listed as follows:
* Muffled sounds
* Hearing difficulties
* Feeling of congestion in the ear
* Slight pressure in the ear
* Itching in the ear canal
* Water coming from the ear
Usually these symptoms begin slightly. If the blockage does not go away, the symptoms become aggravated and infection may occur. On the other hand, moderate symptoms of ear congestion are as follows:
* Pain in the ear
* Pain radiating to the neck, face and head
* Excessive water coming from the ear
* Partial obstruction of the ear canal
* Redness in the ear
• Fire
How to Remove Water Escaping from the Ear?
If the water that fills the ear does not come out by itself, several methods can be tried at home to drain the water. Recommendations that can be implemented are:
* Take advantage of gravity to allow water to flow through the blocked ear. Lie on your blocked ear and try to make the water flow outwards. Although a slow outflow of water can bring benefits. Don't forget to cover your pillow with a towel while doing this.
• Keep the hair dryer to your ear from water escaping. Set the blow dryer to the lowest level. While drying, keep the machine at a distance of about 15-20 cm without bringing it too close to your ear, and move it back and forth and do the drying process. Allow hot air to enter the stuffy area. Remember, it is important that the volume of the blow dryer is at a low level. High decibel sound can cause hearing loss.
* Gently pull and shake the nozzle of your ear when water escapes. While doing this, tilt your head in the direction of your blocked ear and again try to facilitate the outflow of water by gravity.
* Again, tilt your head towards your shoulder in the direction where your ear is leaking water, try to create a vacuum in your ear with your palm. You can press and pull on your ear with your palm and make this vacuum.
• Water Decaying into the ear can also come out with glycerin, which you can buy at the pharmacy, hydrogen peroxide, popularly known as oxygenated water, and ear drops with boric acid content. This helps to soften the dirt that accumulates excessively with ear drops. It helps to dissolve and remove dirt. The antimicrobial effect of ear drops with boric acid content and lowering the PH value of the external auditory canal reduce the occurrence of infection.
• You can chew gum. The act of chewing and yawning can provide relief as follows: The action of the mouth reduces the pressure in the Eustachian tube and releases the trapped water. If you still have a feeling of water after chewing, shake your head.
* Hot steam can also make the water in your ear come out. When taking a hot and prolonged shower, inhale the steam thoroughly and tilt your head to the side in the direction of your blocked ear so that the water comes out.
• Do not insert ear cotton, your finger, or any other object into your ear when water escapes. Because when you put something in your ear, you push this water further. In addition, foreign objects inserted into the ear can damage the external auditory canal. It can pierce the eardrum. It can cause bleeding and injuries to the ear.
You can easily apply these methods at home. However, these methods can work as a result of the accumulation of water in the outer ear. If you have a feeling of ear congestion due to a cold, this means middle ear congestion. In addition, if there is a hole in your eardrum and water has escaped into your ear, this water enters the middle ear and can cause serious infections. Therefore, you should definitely see an otolaryngologist.
What Risks Can Water Escaping into the Ear Pose?
When you enter the water, water accumulates in your ear after coming out, and this water flows out after a short time. If time has passed after water has escaped into the ear and you still don't feel it coming out, it means that the water is trapped in the outer ear. If this period is prolonged, an infection occurs in the ear. The formation of moisture in the external auditory canal creates a good ground for the reproduction of bacteria. This also brings with it ear infections. Such conditions occur in the outer ear and are known as “swimmer's ear” (otitis externa), as they usually occur after swimming.
Water escaping into the ear causes serious problems due to incorrect movements. You make the ear open to bacteria. By inserting something into the ear, you push the water forward. You will also damage the ear canal. You can pierce your eardrum.
If your ear congestion has lasted for more than 3 days and you have not been able to remove the water with the methods you apply at home, you should definitely see an otolaryngologist. Symptoms that occur in moderate and advanced degrees are also a sign that you need to go to an ENT specialist. Untreated ear infections cause hearing loss, cartilage damage, and serious long-term consequences related to your ear. With medical treatment, your doctor will both open your blocked ear with water and protect that area from bacteria.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Water From Escaping into the Ear?
Leakage of water into the ear is most often observed in children. You can take precautions especially when swimming to prevent water from escaping into the ear. You can use a cap and earplugs in the water. In addition, it can be a good precaution to gently dry your ear again with a blow dryer after swimming and showering.
On the other hand, be careful if you are using in-ear headphones while listening to something. There may be sweating when using in-ear headphones. This can also lead to moisture problems in the ears.
When using products such as hairspray, cover your ears with cotton wool.
If you think that earwax has accumulated too much, never remove it yourself. Be sure to go to an ENT specialist.