Water in ear can be experienced by grownups, babies, children or old people. This can happen after a bath, but most common reason can be swimming under water. It is extremely common for swimmers to experience such ear problems. However, it can cause inflammation and infection of the ear canal. This condition is known as otitis externa (swimmer's ear). Otitis externa occurs on the skin covering the outer ear canal leading to the ear drum. The most common cause of swimmer's ear is bacteria, such as, streptococcus, pseudomona or staphylococcus. This condition can also affect those who have allergies, such as psoriasis, asthma, and eczema. Understanding treatment and prevention methods can help alleviate the discomfort of water in your ear.

Remedies for Water in Ear

Water in the ears can cause a feeling of fullness in the ear and impair hearing. This can be an extremely uncomfortable feeling. If suffering with these feelings after a bath or a swim, you should try and remove as much of the water from your ear as soon as possible. This will prevent bacteria build-up. Here are some easy ways in which you can clear the water from your ear.

• Tilt the head, from side to side. If the feeling is present in the left ear, tilt the head to the left and hit the opposite side with your palm. Dry the outer ear well. You can also use a special ear drier.
• Add more water. This may not sound like a good idea, but it works to get rid of excess water in the ear. Lie down and have someone, using a dropper, squeeze a few drops of water into the affected ear. Once done, turn immediately to the other side. You can feel the water pour out of your ear.
• Apply pressure. Lay on the bed with your head hanging off the side of the bed, with the affected ear facing down. Put your palm tight against the affected ear and then let go. This has a suction effect and helps pull out the excess water in the ear.
• Try putting rubbing alcohol. The application of 2 to 3 drops of rubbing alcohol in the ear and turning 3 seconds later to the other side can drain excess water.
• Try over-the-counter medication.

Prevention of Water in Ear

As swimmers are more susceptive to infection from water in the ears, there are several methods that can be taken in preventing it and further, preventing otitis externa.

• Avoid swimming in contaminated pools.
• Wear a swimming cap to prevent water getting into the ears.
• Wear ear plugs.
• Dry the ears thoroughly once out of the water.
• Avoid excessive cleaning of ears with cotton buds as this takes away the protective layer of ear wax.
• If suffering from skin conditions, such as eczema in the ears, get them treated medically.

Water in ear is preventable and treatable. Proper ear care, treatment and preventive measures can help alleviate or avoid discomfort associated with water in the ears. If you are among those who are susceptible to suffer from water in the ear, use this knowledge to avoid or treat such conditions easily without facing undue pain and complications.

Causes and Symptoms of Swimmer's Ear

When water goes into the ear and causes infections late, Swimmer's ear can occur as we discussed above. It can also occur due to sand and small debris accumulation in the ear canal. In addition, any other factor, such as, excessive cleaning of the ears or the use of hearing aids can also cause irritation in the ear that results in otitis externa. People living in tropical countries, who have eczema and very little ear wax, are also at risk of getting this bacterial infection.

Pain in the ear is the first symptom experienced with otitis externa. The pain can intensify when touched or when chewing foods. Itching and a yellowish discharge, swelling of the ear canal and the outer ear are also common symptoms that occur with swimmer's ear.

If you have these symptoms, you'd better consult a doctor to get proper treatment and avoid any complications with it.