How does fluid get inside the ears? Fluid can get inside our ears through normal daily activities like bathing, showering or swimming. Normally, the wax inside our ear forms a waterproof barrier between the outside world and the ear, by coating its inner surfaces. But sometimes, fluids get past this waterproof barrier and remains trapped inside the ear. In most cases, this fluid dries up on its own. But sometimes, it may take too long, or you may find it uncomfortable, or the dampness may even cause an ear infection.
In such cases, you need to take some steps to clear out the fluid quickly. If fluid remains too long inside, the damp conditions, can easily lead to an ear infection, called otitis media.
Some steps to clear out ear fluid or to prevent subsequent infection:
- Heat. Setting your hair dryer to warm, bring the nozzle close to your ear and blow dry it for a few minutes. Pull the ear lobes outward, so that the ear canal is exposed. The water will soon evaporate.
- Gravity. Tilt your head so that the offending ear is parallel to the ground. Shake your head slightly or hop on one foot. This will help to dislodge the water, which will soon trickle out.
- Vacuum. Tilt your head so that the ear with fluid faces down. Press hard against the ear with the palm of your hand, keeping it flat. Now remove your hand quickly. The temporary vacuum created will draw out the fluid.
- Make a mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar. Put a couple of drops inside the ear. The alcohol helps to dry the ear, while the acid in the vinegar helps to kill any possible bacteria.
- Putting a few drops of olive oil or tea tree oil or almond oil also helps to make the fluid trickle out and prevent infection. You can also use slightly heated sweet oil.
- You can try putting in a few drops of garlic juice, since garlic has anti-bacterial properties.
- Take a mango leaf, squeeze out the juice and put a few drops of this in your ear.
- You can also put some drops of hydrogen peroxide, which will dry out the fluid and also act as an anti-bacterial.
- Place a small ball of cotton or a small tissue inside the ear. This will absorb the fluid. Make sure that the cotton or tissue is not left behind in the ear as this could be hazardous.
- You can clean your ear with colloidal silver, as a protection against any possible infection.
- A warm salt compress pressed against the ear would also help draw out the water.
answered by G M