How to Remove Fluid from the Ear

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

Dry Your Ear

Remove liquid from the ear

Treating underlying medical causes

Advice

Warning

Water or fluid trapped in the ear can be uncomfortable, but don’t worry—there are various ways to resolve this. While the fluid usually drains out on its own, you can assist the process with a few simple tricks. Try some methods that you can perform yourself to help the water drain. You can also dry the fluid in your ear using ear drops or a hair dryer. However, if you suspect an infection, it's best to consult a doctor for treatment.

Steps

Dry Your Ear

Clean your ear with hydrogen peroxide. Pour hydrogen peroxide into a half-full dropper. Tilt your head so the ear with fluid is facing upward and drop the hydrogen peroxide into your ear. Once you no longer hear a fizzing sound (usually after about 5 minutes), tilt your head so that the fluid-filled ear is facing down. Gently pull the earlobe to help the fluid drain out.

Tip: Hydrogen peroxide can assist in evaporating fluid from the ear while also helping to clean any earwax that may be blocking the fluid.

Use an ear-drying solution. This solution is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies. It often comes with ear drops but can also be purchased separately. Alternatively, you can create your own by mixing white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol in equal parts (1:1).

How to use ear drops:

Let the solution reach room temperature: Ear drops that are too hot or cold can cause dizziness. To reach the right temperature, place the bottle in your pocket and walk around for 30 minutes.

Read the instructions carefully: Always read the packaging instructions thoroughly, including any warnings about possible side effects.

Check the expiration date: Never use expired medication.

Ask someone to assist you: It's difficult to apply drops on your own, so it's best to ask someone to help.

For adults and teens: Lie down with your head on a towel so that the ear with fluid faces upward. Have someone gently pull the earlobe upward and outward, then apply the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Press the small cartilage near the ear and wait for 2-3 minutes.

For children: Have the child lie down with the affected ear facing upward. Gently pull the earlobe down and out to straighten the Eustachian tube, then apply the recommended number of drops. Press the small cartilage near the ear and wait for 2-3 minutes.

If both ears have fluid: Wait 5 minutes or seal the first ear with a cotton ball before applying drops to the second ear.

Dry your ear with a hairdryer. Set the hairdryer to a cool setting. Hold it about 15 cm away from the ear and direct the airflow into the ear. The cool air can help dry the trapped fluid inside.

Use a towel to dry your ear after swimming or showering.

Avoid inserting the towel into the ear canal.

Simply wipe the outer ear dry to prevent water from accumulating inside the ear.

Avoid inserting cotton swabs or tissue into your ears. These items can cause irritation and scratches inside the ear, increasing the risk of infection. If you're unable to remove the water from your ear on your own, visit a doctor for assistance.

Remove liquid from the ear

Pull your earlobe and tilt your head. Tilt your head so that the ear with water is facing downward. Pull on the earlobe and the cartilage around the outer ear in different directions to open the ear canal. You may feel the liquid draining out. Repeat with the other ear if necessary.

This is an effective way to remove water from the ear after swimming or showering.

Use your hand to create suction. Place your palm firmly against the ear and press down several times. Tilt your head to allow the water to drain out.

Equalize pressure using the Valsalva maneuver. Pinch your nose with your fingers and blow air into your Eustachian tube by exhaling through your nose.

If successful, you will hear a small popping sound.

Tilt your head so that the ear with water faces downward to allow the water to exit.

Do not try this if you suspect you have an ear infection.
Blow gently. Blowing too hard could cause a nosebleed.

Pinch your nose and yawn to move the fluid down your throat. Use your fingers to pinch your nostrils closed and yawn deeply several times in a row. This action can help push the liquid from your ear into your throat.

Lie on your side with the ear containing the water facing down. Lay on your side with the ear that has water facing down onto a towel, pillow, or piece of cloth. The fluid in your ear might start draining after a few minutes. You can take a quick nap or even sleep like this overnight.

Chew gum or food. The act of chewing usually helps open the Eustachian tube.

Tilt your head while chewing

to allow the fluid to drain more easily from the ear. If you don't have gum or food, just chewing will also work.

You can also try sucking on hard candy to achieve a similar effect.

Loosen the fluid with steam therapy. Sometimes, a hot shower is enough to loosen the fluid in your ear, but if that doesn’t work, a simple steam therapy can help thin the liquid and make it easier to drain. Pour hot water into a bowl. Lean your head over the bowl and drape a towel over your head. Breathe in the steam for 5-10 minutes, then tilt your ear down to let the fluid drain out.

Home steam therapy
Pour steaming hot water into a bowl. If desired, add a few drops of anti-inflammatory oils such as Roman chamomile or tea tree oil. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, inhaling the steam for about 5-10 minutes, then tilt your ear so the liquid in your ear flows into the bowl.
Warning: Always be cautious with steam therapy, as the steam can be very hot. Test the temperature by holding your hand above the bowl to ensure it's comfortable before bringing your face near the steam.

Treating underlying medical causes

Use nasal decongestants if you have sinusitis or a cold. Nasal decongestants can help the fluid in your ear drain naturally. Follow the directions on the medication label. You can use over-the-counter decongestants like Sudafed or Afrin in pill or spray form.

Nasal decongestants: Not for everyone
Unfortunately, nasal decongestants are not safe for certain groups of people. If you or a family member fall into one of these categories and need to take a nasal decongestant, consult your doctor first.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Many nasal decongestants do not pose risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used for short periods. However, not all decongestants are the same. Consult your doctor for advice on which medication is appropriate.
People taking other medications: Nasal decongestants can interact negatively with certain medications.
People with diabetes: Nasal decongestants can raise blood sugar levels.
People with high blood pressure: Nasal decongestants cause blood vessels to constrict and reduce swelling in the nose, but they can also affect other blood vessels and raise blood pressure. In such cases, choose cold medications specifically formulated for people with high blood pressure.
People with thyroid issues: Pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient in many nasal decongestants, may worsen symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
People with glaucoma: Nasal decongestants generally have minimal effects on open-angle glaucoma, which is more common. However, those with closed-angle glaucoma should be cautious, as these medications can cause pupil dilation and increase eye pressure.

See a doctor if your ear hasn't cleared after 3-4 days. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids like Prednisone or Medrol. Take the medication as instructed. Your ear will typically recover within 3-4 days of treatment.

The medication helps reduce inflammation in the Eustachian tube, allowing the fluid to drain naturally.

Take prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotics are especially important for children, although adults can use them as well. Antibiotics help treat infections and prevent further infections.

See a doctor for a tumor check if fluid appears in one ear without a cold. If fluid suddenly appears in just one ear without an obvious cause, it could be a symptom of a tumor (either benign or cancerous). Ask your doctor for a referral to an

ear, nose, and throat specialist.

The ENT specialist will perform cancer screenings.

The ENT doctor will examine your ear and may do blood tests. If a tumor is suspected, a local anesthetic will be used to take a tissue sample for testing. You might also need to undergo an MRI scan.

Choose surgery if you cannot remove the fluid by other means. If the fluid in your ear takes too long to drain, the doctor might place a tube in your ear. Once healed, you'll return to the clinic to have the tube removed. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to ensure there are no issues after the surgery.

Children may need the tube for 4-6 months, while adults usually need it for 4-6 weeks.
The tube placement surgery is done with local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The tubes typically fall out on their own or are removed in the doctor's office without anesthesia.

Advice

If you suspect your child has fluid in their ear, take them to the doctor.
In most cases, the fluid will naturally drain from the ear. If it persists for 3-4 days, see a doctor as retained fluid in the ear could lead to an ear infection.

Warning

Inserting cotton swabs or any object into your ear can damage your eardrum and increase the risk of hearing loss.

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