Remedies for Removing Fluid in Ear

The ear consists of three parts: Outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. What is visible to us is the outer ear, which then leads to a ear canal that joins the middle ear. Just at the junction of their joining is situated the delicate eardrum.

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity and the air present in it vibrates and transmits sound, thereby enabling the function of hearing. Connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx is the Eustachian tube, whose role is to equalize pressure in the middle ear. This the tube does by sending air from the nose to the middle ear.

However, sometimes, viruses and bacteria enter the middle ear through this tube, especially during cold and viral infections. This bacterial or viral invasion causes fluid collection in the middle ear. Fluid collection prevents the middle ear from vibrating properly, thereby resulting in hearing loss.

This was the reason why fluid accumulation is seen in the middle ear. However, fluid can get collected in the outer portion of the ear as well. The most common reason for fluid collection in the outer ear is gradual wax buildup in the ear canal. The canal becomes narrower due to wax deposits, which then traps moisture.

Activities like showering and swimming can also cause fluid to get accumulated in the ear. The moisture in the outer ear conduces to bacterial and fungal growth, which in turn leads to mucus and pus formation. The symptoms of fluid collection in the ear are very difficult to identify, because it may not be accompanied by obvious signs like pain and fever.

Fluid in the ear can lead to hearing loss, cyst formation, eardrum inflammation, etc. which is why it is important to be aware of some fluid in ear remedies to treat the condition.

Accumulation of fluid in the ear can become breeding grounds for bacteria and can also prevent movement of eardrum and ear ossicles, thereby affecting sound transmission and leading to hearing loss. Thus, it is important to get rid of fluid from the ear as soon as possible. However, the treatment for fluid collection in outer ear and middle ear is different.

So don't get confused. The remedies mentioned below are home remedies to get out fluid from the outer ear. Because the eardrum blocks entry to the middle ear, the procedure for removing fluid from middle ear is completely different. Some of the remedies to remove fluid from the outer ear are:

Add a few drops of garlic juice to the infected ear and blow dry the ear from about 12 inches away from the head. This will cause all the water that is trapped in the Eustachian tube to dry up.

Heat compress method helps remove fluid from the ear canal. All one needs to do is place a hot towel over the infected ear for sometime and then lie down sideways to allow the fluid to drain out.

Onion juice is a good fluid in ear remedy. Just grate an onion and extract the juice from it. Put a few drops of the juice into the infected ear and lie on the side to allow the fluids to ooze out. Repeat the procedure till the clogging disappears. The same can be done with apple cider vinegar.

Slightly warm one spoon of mango leaf extract and put it into the ear drop by drop. Lie sideways and allow the fluid to trickle out.

Prepare a mixture of rubbing alcohol and vinegar (equal quantities) and put 2-3 drops in the infected ear in a week. Alcohol helps dry up the water in the ear and the vinegar destroys the bacteria.

Rub the ear gently after putting a few drops of lobelia extract. Putting a few drops of hydrogen peroxide is another option. One can even add few drops of tea tree oil or almond oil in the infected ear.

Fluid in ear treatment for aching ears, would be to warm a small amount of salt and place it in a compress. Dab the compress in the aching ear to reduce the pain.

Tilt your head to the side at a 45 degree angle and wait for the water to come out. Gravity comes in handy, when one wants to get those pesky drops of water from the ear, especially after a lovely dive in the pool.

Using a dropper pour drops of glycerin solution into the ear. Give a minute or two for the glycerin to soften the wax deposits in the ear canal. Then tilt your head sideways and allow the glycerin to fall out. Place a cotton ball into your ear and leave it there overnight. Next morning, discard the cotton ball and pour a few drops of warm water and rinse the ear. This remedy is meant for those whose ear canal is blocked with wax and the wax is trapping fluid in the ear.

These remedies as mentioned before will only work if the fluid accumulation is in the outer ear. Because the eardrum acts as a barrier to the middle ear, it is not possible for any home remedy to work. In such cases, the ENT will have to be consulted, who will insert a tube through the eardrum to allow air into the middle ear. This is known as myringotomy.

One suggestion to those who have the fluid in ear canal is to not go in front of people who are smoking. This is because the smoke can block the Eustachian tube and prevent the water from coming out. Moreover, taking vitamin C supplements is also a good idea. Vitamin C helps boost the immune system and helps combat infection.

If you sense presence of fluid in your ear, it is important to consult the ENT specialist before trying anything on your own. This is because he or she will determine the location of the fluid collection and prescribe the respective treatment. Using remedies to treat fluid accumulation in the outer ear, when the fluid is in the middle ear will only increase the problems.