Fluid vs Water in Ears

Author: Thomas Tedeschi

There are many different causes of ear drainage. Clear fluid draining from the ear may be water, which can collect in the ear after swimming or bathing, or it could be the sign of an infection called swimmer’s ear. Swimmer’s ear is caused by water being trapped in the ear canal which begins to mix with bacteria that live there all the time and can multiply and increase risk of an infection. Pus or cloudy fluid coming from the ear can be a sign of an ear infection in the ear canal or middle ear. There may also be some swelling. The ear canal is the tube that joins the outer ear to the middle ear.

An infection of the middle ear, which many refer to as a condition called otitis media, can cause fluid discharge from the ear. Otitis externa is an infection in the skin of the outer ear that can also be caused by swimmer’s ear. Ear infections can cause the eardrum to rupture in some individuals. A ruptured eardrum can also cause drainage from the ear.

People should contact their doctor if any water-in-ear symptoms or clear fluid drainage continues for more than 24 hours.

How to get Water Out of Your Ear

After swimming or bathing your ears may feel clogged or full due to trapping of water in ear canals. Here’s how to get fluid out of your ear using easy DIY methods.

Dry your ear with a soft towel or cloth. Don’t stick the cloth into inside the canal.
Tip your head to one side to help water drain. Gently pull on your earlobe. This will straighten your ear canal and help the water flow.
You can use your hair dryer for water in ear removal. Turn it on the lowest setting and blow it toward your ear. Hold the hair dryer it at least a foot away.
Try over-the-counter drying ear drops such as Swim Ear.
DO NOT use cotton swabs. They can pack earwax and dirt down in your ear canal. Avoid using them at all.
DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide or drying drops if you or your child has a ruptured eardrum.

How to Drain Fluid from the Middle Ear

Fluid build-up in the middle ear is caused by eustachian tube dysfunction. The eustachian tube provides ventilation for the middle ear and this can close off for to a number of different reasons, the most common being allergies, infections or blockage due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Here’s how to drain fluid from middle ear.

Yawn or chew. When water gets stuck in your eustachian tubes, moving your mouth can sometimes help to open the tubes and release moisture.
Perform the Valsalva maneuver. Pinch your nose closed, press your lips together and blow. This method can also help open closed eustachian tubes.
In some cases if the fluid remains in the middle ear it can cause ear pain. In this case you need to seek medical care. Your doctor may suggest that a small tube (also called a tympanostomy tube) be placed at the opening of the eardrum. The tube can prevent water in ears from building up and relieves pressure in the middle ear, plus it can also help you hear better.

What does Fluid in the Ear Look Like

There are many different causes of ear drainage. The most common type of drainage from the ear is earwax, which keeps the ear clean and healthy. Other types of drainage and discharge include blood, clear fluid, or a whitish-yellow, yellow, or brown-yellow drainage. These may signal a ruptured eardrum or ear infection from water-in-ear buildup that needs to be treated. People should contact their doctor if any clear fluid drainage continues for more than 24 hours.