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Dutchess_III's avatar

Why do I have water in my ears?

Asked by Dutchess_III (46830points) December 11th, 2016
12 responses
“Great Question” (0points)

And how do I get rid of it? I had a cold a couple of weeks ago. It came with a bunch of congestion and snot. Well, I got over the cold in the usual time, but here I am, 2 weeks later, long after all the symptoms disappeared, and suddenly there is water trapped in my ears! It’s been there about 4 days now. I can feel it and hear it, and it’s affecting my balance.
How do I make it go away?
I tried putting mineral oil in my ears but, duh, oil floats on water so that did no good at all.

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Answers

Stinley's avatar

If it’s affecting your balance, it’s labarynthitis in your inner ear. So putting oils etc in your outer ear is not doing anything apart from introducing potential bacteria into that part of the ear.

Usually this is caused by virus so antibiotics will have no effect. Rest and time is the usual treatment. I’d say a visit to your GP would rule anything else out.

ARE_you_kidding_me's avatar

You can do that suction cup thingy with your palm

Dutchess_III's avatar

Oh! I never thought of that! I’ll try it.

si3tech's avatar

@Dutchess_III IMHO, An ear nose throat doctor is the next logical step.

Tropical_Willie's avatar

It sounds like @Stinley may have the answer.
You also could have inflammation in your middle ear, inside the eardrum. Your Eustachian tubes maybe blocked because of your cold. If you blow your nose too hard and too often with a head cold; you can force the infection into the middle ear, I know I had a ruptured eardrum 55 years ago because of my vigorous nose blowing.

MrGrimm888's avatar

An ENT specialist would be a logical step.

A q-tip with rubbing alcohol inserted into the ear canal can potentially take care of it…

I find that I only get water in my ear if I go upside-down underwater. So, I don’t do it, if I can help it.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Well, I haven’t been swimming! It’s freezing here. But if I had been swimming there is no way I could not go upside down! I have to go upside down. I’m a Weekie Wachi Mermaid, and I have little Weekie Wachi Merkids in training.

It’s just left over from my cold, I’m sure. I’ll try the alcohol. Thanks.

MrGrimm888's avatar

Good luck Dutch. Ear aches suck. I’m sorry for you. God speed.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Well, it doesn’t hurt, which makes me think it’s not infected. It’s just discombobulating. But thanks.

Cruiser's avatar

Rubbing alcohol usually worked for me. There are commercially made swimmers ear drops. I Googled and found this a lot…

Create your own ear drops by mixing a solution of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent white vinegar. Carefully use an ear dropper to place a few drops into the affected ear. Gently rub the opening of the ear canal and wait 30 seconds. Tilt your head sideways to let the solution drain out.

si3tech's avatar

@Dutchess_III I think you are describing fluid behind the eardrum. Only the ENT can advise there.

Dutchess_III's avatar

I’m just going to let it ride @si3tech. Most things resolve themselves. I’m trying all the stuff folks have suggested, plus taking a decongestant.
I imagine that if I went to the Dr. they’d prescribe steroids and I don’t wanna do that. Not until I see if it will clear up.

I will try that when I get home from work. Thanks @Cruiser.

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