How To Drain Fluid From Middle Ear At Home In 5 Ways?

Are you having a ticklish feeling in your ear? That’s not all! It is going down to the throat and even the jawbone!! Not the happiest of emotions, right? Well, you could have a bit of fluid buildup in your middle ear, which is causing this untoward tickling. So, how to drain fluid from middle ear at home? We’ll give you the respites!! 

Also, we will guide you on the causes of it, ways to prevent it, and a thing or two on what you must not do to drain the fluid. Stay tuned with us – 

What are the causes of fluid buildup in your ear?

The most prominent causes for fluid buildup in your ear are – specific ear allergies, sinus, and respiratory infections that extend to cause fluid buildup in your ear, dysfunction in the Eustachian Tube, consistent exposure to water, or not being accustomed to sudden changes in altitude. 

Its time to figure out ways to deal with it – 

How to drain fluid from middle ear at home naturally? 

Here are some tricks to try at home – 

1. Jiggling of earlobe 

This is something that you already do; just this time, you need to do this methodically to derive the correct results. Let us give you an idea of the same – 

First try feeling which ear has the fluid locked in. After that, tug your earlobes and move it up and down. Then, hold your head down towards the shoulder on that side. Say your right ear is blocked, then tilt your head towards the right side so that the fluid gets to flow out. 

Along with that, you can also hold your head straight and try shaking it from one side to another. 

2. Create a vacuum 

Are you wondering how to drain fluid from middle ear at home, by simply creating a vacuum-like situation? This is the process – take a pillow and cup your palms. Lay your affected ear on the cup of your palms and create a tight seal-like feeling. 

Now keep pushing your hand back and forth rapidly in a way that – when you push it, your hands flatten, while you cup your hands when you pull it. Again, tilt your head down and then wholly allow the water to drain out. 

3. Creating a gravity like scenario 

To those who thought gravity was all about the apple falling, here’s taking another shot at it! Lie down on the ground by placing the affected ear in a way that it touches the ground. For some additional benefit, you may place a warm towel under your ears to help drain the fluid. 

4. Try using a blow dryer 

Do you want to know how to drain fluid from middle ear at home with a blow dryer? We’ll tell you! Set your blow dryer on its lowest setting and hold it at a feet’s distance from your ear. After you turn it on, blow it in your ears on and off, back and forth – so that the air pressure is not very high or low. At times, tug your earlobe down to ensure that the warm air goes into your ear and drains out the fluid. 

5. Gargling with saltwater 

The last trick that you may try out is – gargling with warm salt water. In general, salt is an excellent remedy for dealing with sore throats. It helps heal swollen tissues and relieves swelling. Hence, when you have such a tingling sensation in your ears that is felt till the jawbone as well, this therapy works well. 

Mix a spoonful of salt into a glass of warm water. Stir the water and allow the salt to dissolve completely. After that, gargle with it and spit it out. Since the Eustachian Tube is connected to the back of the ear, it helps to relieve the swelling and allows the trapped water to drain out. 

This gargling process may also pop your ear, allowing the water to drain. 

Try out any of these hacks for 3-4 days, and you will surely get some relief. Apart from these, you can also inhale steam or try out any of the OTC eardrops for relief. 

What you must not do to solve this?

If you have been reading this article well, you have already found out how to drain fluid from middle ear at home. But there are certain things you must not do as well. How about taking a look at that? 

1. Do not use hydrogen peroxide – Though this is termed as a magical potion healing all your auditory problems when it comes to dealing with middle ear fluid, this is not the solution to try out. 
2. Keep cotton swabs away – It is common knowledge that when you have such tingling sensations in your ear, you try to clean your ear with cotton swabs. However, that is a mistake since it would push the debris all the way into your ear. This increases the chances of an eardrum puncture or bacterial infection. 
3. Not the time to use your fingers – Again, it is a common practice, but it must be avoided when dealing with such conditions. The nails could scratch the eardrum or the ear canal, leading to a much more significant concern. 

Either try out the mentioned techniques or see an ENT professional who will help you with the same. 

When to see a doctor?

If you have used some/all of the techniques mentioned above for up to 3-4 days but to no avail – you need to consult a professional. You will see for yourself that your ear has been swollen, one of the critical signs of bacterial infection. That is almost when a significant problem has already been created. To avert that, wait for a maximum of 4 days and connect with a doctor. 

How to prevent it from happening?

As they say – prevention is always better than cure. Just because you are now aware of how to drain fluid from middle ear at home does not mean that you will not be careful enough. Here are some points to note to prevent it from happening –

• If you are swimming or involved in any water-based activities for a longer period, start using waterproof earplugs. This reduces the chances of fluid getting into your ear in the first place. 
• Maintain hygiene always. Wash your hands and keep yourself clean overall. 
• Eat healthy and maintain the nutrition level in your body. 
• An annual visit to the ENT is a must! 

Last thoughts 

Assuming you have read this post well, you have a fair idea about how to drain fluid from middle ear at home and will do the needful. However, you must concentrate on ensuring that you prevent it firsthand since, if not checked at the correct time, it could land you in a huge problem. Though in most cases, trapped water comes out naturally, in some instances, you do require extra effort. If you liked this article and want to know more about such medical issues, follow the HeAndSheFitness page! 

FAQ 

1. What are the immediate symptoms of fluid in your ear? 

The immediate symptoms of fluid accumulation in your middle ear are – a sudden feeling of fullness in your ears, issues in maintaining balance, a constantly ringing feeling, problems with your hearing, and finally, ear pain.

2. Why can’t you get water out of your ear?

The reason why you can’t get water out of your ear is perhaps due to the blockage caused by – debris or earwax. Also, you may have a swimmer’s ear that causes this issue. In either case, it is best that you connect with a professional.

3. What happens if water stays in the ear for too long? 

If the water stays in your ear for too long, then it may cause bacterial infection. This is called the swimmer’s ear and requires professional treatment.