How to Get Water Out of Your Ear Safely: UK NHS Guidance for 2026

Most water trapped in the ear after swimming clears within 48 hours with simple NHS techniques: tilt, lobe-tug, palm vacuum and a hair dryer on cool.

You have just finished a swim, stepped out of the shower, or spent an afternoon on a water sports session. One ear now feels full, muffled, and slightly uncomfortable, as though a plug of water has settled deep inside the ear canal and refuses to shift. It is an extremely common experience and, in the vast majority of cases, nothing to worry about. The water usually drains out on its own within a few minutes, helped along by gravity and normal jaw movement.

When it does not, there are several safe, NHS-backed techniques you can try at home before the situation becomes a nuisance. There are also a handful of things you clearly should not do, despite what you might read online. This guide walks through the safe methods step by step, explains when over-the-counter ear drops from a pharmacist might help, outlines the signs of infection that need medical attention, and covers the specific rules for children, grommets, and swimmers who get this problem repeatedly. Everything here is based on current NHS, MHRA, and ENT UK guidance for 2026.

The first five things to try (safely)

The NHS and ENT UK recommend a simple sequence of gravity-based and mechanical techniques to encourage trapped water to drain from the ear canal. Most people find the problem resolves with one or two of these steps, without needing drops or a pharmacy visit.

First, tilt your head so the affected ear faces downward. Gently shake or jiggle your head from side to side. Gravity does most of the work here. Second, reach up and gently pull your earlobe down and backward while your head is still tilted to the affected side. This straightens the ear canal slightly and can help water that is sitting behind a fold of skin find its way out. Third, lie down on your side on a clean towel with the affected ear resting against the fabric. Stay there for 5 to 10 minutes. Capillary action and gravity will often draw the water out.

Fourth, try the palm-vacuum technique. Cup your palm firmly over the ear to create a seal, press gently inward, and then release. The small change in pressure can dislodge the water. Repeat 4 to 5 times. Fifth, chew gum or yawn deliberately several times. The movement of the jaw helps open the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, and can equalise pressure enough to free trapped fluid. Try these in order before reaching for drops.

Hair dryer trick: how to do it safely

If tilting and shaking have not worked, a gentle flow of warm air can help evaporate the thin film of water sitting inside the ear canal. This is a technique mentioned in NHS self-care advice, but it needs to be done correctly to avoid injury.

Set your hair dryer to its lowest cool or warm setting. Never use hot. Hold the dryer at least 30 cm away from the opening of the ear. Switch it on for no more than 30 seconds at a time, then pause and check whether the sensation of fullness has improved. You can repeat this 2 to 3 times. The aim is a gentle current of slightly warm air, not a blast of heat directed into the ear canal. Skin inside the ear canal is thin and sensitive, and excessive heat can cause superficial burns or dry the skin out, making it more vulnerable to infection.

The reason people get this technique wrong is impatience. They bring the dryer too close, turn it up to a hot setting, or hold it in place for minutes at a time. None of that is necessary and all of it increases risk. If you do not have a hair dryer, sitting in a warm room or gently fanning the ear with a piece of paper from the same 30 cm distance provides a slower but similar evaporative effect. The hair dryer method is a supplementary technique rather than a first-line one, best used after the gravity and pressure methods described above have been given a fair chance to work.

When over-the-counter drops help (and when they do not)

A pharmacist can recommend the right ear drops after asking a few simple questions about your ear history.

If simple techniques have not cleared the water after 24 to 48 hours, over-the-counter ear drops from a pharmacy can help to dry the canal and reduce the risk of infection developing. The most commonly recommended products are 5 per cent acetic acid ear drops or sprays, such as EarCalm, which is licensed for sale without a prescription in the UK. Acetic acid works by making the ear canal environment more acidic, which discourages bacterial and fungal growth and helps the remaining moisture evaporate.

Swimmer ear drops, typically a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid, are designed to be used preventively after each swim session. The alcohol component evaporates quickly and draws moisture with it. A few drops placed into each ear after swimming can be effective for people who get recurrent trapped water or repeated bouts of otitis externa.

Do not use any ear drops, however, if you have a perforated eardrum, grommets (ventilation tubes), have had recent ear surgery, have an active ear infection with discharge, or have a known allergy to the ingredients. A pharmacist will ask about these before recommending a product. If you are unsure whether your eardrum is intact, do not guess. Ask a pharmacist or GP first. Undiluted essential oils and neat hydrogen peroxide should not be poured into the ear under any circumstances. If drops do not resolve the problem within 2 to 3 days, or if pain, itch, or discharge develops, see your pharmacist or GP.

What never to put in your ear

There is a long list of things that people are tempted to poke, pour, or place into their ears when they feel water trapped inside. Nearly all of them risk making the problem worse or causing a new one.

Cotton buds are the most common mistake. They push water deeper, pack earwax against the eardrum, and can scratch the delicate skin of the ear canal, creating an entry point for infection. ENT UK is clear: nothing smaller than your elbow should go inside your ear. The same applies to hair grips, keys, paperclips, and fingertips. All carry a risk of abrasion or perforation.

Hopi ear candles are another popular but unsafe option. The MHRA has classified them as unregulated medical devices and has taken action to remove them from sale. Clinical evidence shows no benefit for water removal, wax removal, or any ear condition. They carry a real risk of candle wax burns to the ear canal and face, and of perforating the eardrum. Do not use them.

Neat hydrogen peroxide can cause chemical irritation and pain when applied directly to the ear canal lining. Diluted urea hydrogen peroxide is an NHS-approved earwax softener, but it is not intended for trapped water. At-home ear syringing, using a bulb syringe or shower attachment, should also be avoided. Water forced under pressure into the ear canal can damage the eardrum. NHS earwax removal services use microsuction or professional irrigation for good reason.

Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear): the infection that follows trapped water

When water sits in the ear canal for more than a day or two, the warm, moist conditions create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. This is how otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer’s ear, develops. The infection affects the skin lining the outer ear canal and is one of the most frequent reasons people visit a GP or pharmacist for ear problems during the summer months.

The typical symptoms start with itch inside the ear, followed by pain that gets worse when you chew, open your mouth wide, or gently pull on the earlobe. You may notice a feeling of fullness, reduced hearing on that side, and discharge that is either clear and watery or thick and pus-like. The entrance to the ear canal may look red and swollen.

The most common bacterial causes are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Fungal otitis externa, usually caused by Aspergillus species, tends to produce more itch and a darker discharge.

NHS treatment for mild to moderate otitis externa typically involves antibiotic ear drops such as neomycin and dexamethasone combinations (Otomize or Sofradex). Antifungal drops like clotrimazole may be prescribed if a fungal cause is suspected. Oral antibiotics are rarely needed and are reserved for severe or spreading infection. Under the Pharmacy First scheme in England in 2026, pharmacists at participating pharmacies can supply antibiotic ear drops for uncomplicated otitis externa in adults and children over 1 year without a GP appointment. This is free for those exempt from prescription charges; otherwise the standard English prescription fee applies.

Symptom checker: where to go and when

When to call NHS 111 or see your GP

Most trapped water resolves at home within 48 hours using the safe techniques described above. However, certain symptoms warrant a call to NHS 111 or a prompt appointment with your GP or pharmacist.

Severe ear pain that is not settling with paracetamol or ibuprofen is a reason to seek help. A fever above 38 degrees C alongside ear symptoms suggests infection may be developing. Persistent discharge from the ear lasting more than 3 days should be assessed. Marked hearing loss or a feeling that the ear is completely blocked beyond 48 hours needs medical review to rule out infection, wax impaction, or a middle ear problem.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a medical emergency. If your hearing in one ear drops suddenly, with or without tinnitus or a feeling of fullness, contact NHS 111 immediately or attend A and E. Steroid treatment started within 72 hours gives the best chance of recovery, so do not wait to see if it improves on its own.

Other red flags include facial weakness on one side, vertigo or significant balance problems, and any ear symptom following a head injury. These are uncommon but important, and NHS 111 can advise you on the right next step, whether that is a same-day GP appointment, a pharmacy visit, or attendance at A and E.

Children, grommets, and the special rules

Children are just as prone to trapped water as adults, particularly after swimming lessons and bath time. The safe home techniques described above — tilting and shaking, lying on a towel, gentle earlobe tugging — all work in children, but with a few extra cautions.

Never use cotton buds in a child’s ear. The ear canal is narrower and shorter than in adults, and the risk of abrasion or eardrum perforation is higher. If your child has grommets (ventilation tubes) in place, do not put any drops, water, alcohol, or oil into their ears unless a doctor has specifically advised it. Water entering the middle ear through a grommet can cause infection and discharge. Children with grommets should wear well-fitted waterproof earplugs for swimming and showering. Your ENT team will have given guidance at the time of grommet insertion, and it is worth following it carefully.

Prolonged hearing difficulty in a child after swimming is more often due to glue ear (otitis media with effusion) than trapped water. Glue ear is the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in young children and is unrelated to swimming. If your child’s hearing seems muffled for more than a few days, or if their speech or school performance is affected, speak to your GP about a possible referral to paediatric audiology or ENT. The NHS recommends watchful waiting for 3 months in the first instance, as most cases of glue ear resolve without treatment.

Prevention: stop water getting trapped in the first place

If you or your child regularly gets water trapped in the ear or develops swimmer’s ear after swimming, prevention is straightforward and far less uncomfortable than treatment.

Well-fitted silicone earplugs are the single most effective preventive measure. Products like Mack Pillow Soft and Speedo Biofuse mould to the shape of the ear canal and create a reliable water seal. Foam earplugs absorb water rather than blocking it and are less effective for this purpose. For serious or competitive swimmers, custom-moulded earplugs made by an audiologist offer the best fit and durability.

Towel dry the outer ear gently after every swim, shower, or bath. Tilt the head to each side and let gravity assist. Avoid swimming in water that looks cloudy or unclean, and be cautious with shared hot tubs, which can harbour higher concentrations of Pseudomonas and other bacteria.

For people who are prone to recurrent otitis externa, a preventive routine of 2 to 3 drops of acetic acid or alcohol-and-acetic-acid swimmer ear drops in each ear after every swim session can significantly reduce recurrence. Your pharmacist can recommend a suitable product and show you how to use it correctly. Swim caps alone do not keep water out of the ears but can reduce the volume of water reaching the ear canal when combined with plugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my ear feel blocked for days after swimming?

Usually the sensation is caused by residual water combined with mild swelling of the ear canal lining. The skin inside the ear canal reacts to prolonged moisture by puffing slightly, which makes the blocked feeling persist even after most of the water has drained. Most cases clear within 48 hours using the safe drainage techniques outlined above. If the sensation persists beyond that, particularly if it is joined by pain, itch, or discharge, it could be early otitis externa and a pharmacist or GP review is the right next step.

Are Hopi ear candles safe for trapped water?

No. Hopi ear candles are not recommended for any ear condition. They have been linked to candle wax burns to the ear canal and face, and to eardrum perforations. The MHRA has issued warnings against their use and classifies them as unregulated medical devices. There is no clinical evidence that they remove water, earwax, or anything else from the ear. They are not a safe or effective option.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide drops to clear water from my ear?

Not routinely. Diluted urea hydrogen peroxide drops are used as an NHS-approved earwax softener, but they can irritate the sensitive skin of the ear canal if used simply for trapped water. Stick to 5 per cent acetic acid drops, such as EarCalm, which are available over the counter and are specifically suited to this purpose. Avoid neat or undiluted hydrogen peroxide altogether, as it can cause chemical irritation and pain.

Should I use ear plugs every time I swim?

It is recommended for anyone who gets repeated episodes of swimmer’s ear, or who has grommets, a perforated eardrum, or a history of ear surgery. Silicone moulded plugs such as Mack Pillow Soft or Speedo Biofuse outperform foam plugs for water resistance. Custom-moulded plugs from an audiologist offer the best fit for frequent or competitive swimmers. For everyone else, earplugs are a sensible precaution but not strictly necessary.

Can I get antibiotic ear drops without a GP appointment in 2026?

Yes, through the Pharmacy First scheme in England. Participating pharmacists can supply antibiotic ear drops for uncomplicated otitis externa in adults and children over 1 year without a GP appointment. NHS prescription charges apply in England unless you are exempt. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free. Ask your local pharmacy whether they participate in the scheme.

What if I have grommets or a perforated eardrum?

Do not put any drops, water, alcohol, or peroxide into the ear without specific medical advice. Use waterproof earplugs for swimming and showering to prevent water entering the middle ear. If water does get in and causes pain, discharge, or a change in hearing, see your GP. Antibiotic ear drops licensed for use with perforated eardrums, such as ofloxacin, are available on prescription and are safe when the eardrum is not intact.

This article is informational only and does not replace personalised advice from your GP, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional.