Quick answer
Water in the ear usually drains on its own within hours. Tilt your head to the side, gently tug your earlobe, dry the outside with a towel and give it time. Do not push cotton buds, fingers or anything else into the ear, as that can push water and wax in or injure the eardrum. If your ear becomes itchy, painful, swollen or starts leaking fluid, it may be an outer ear infection (sometimes called swimmer's ear), and the NHS advises seeing a GP if earache has not improved after 3 days.
That plugged, sloshing feeling after a swim, shower or bath is familiar to almost everyone. It is annoying, and sometimes alarming, but it is usually harmless and short-lived. This guide covers what is happening, what you can safely try, and the signs that mean it is more than trapped water.
Why does water get stuck in the ear?
The ear canal is narrow and curved, so a little water can sit in it instead of running straight out. Wax can make this more likely. It can hold water in and can swell slightly when it gets wet, which can make the ear feel blocked. We cover that overlap in our guide to blocked ears and earwax.
Trapped water often causes a muffled or full feeling, and sometimes a crackling or gurgling sound when you move your head. It normally clears on its own.
What you can safely try
Keep it gentle and give it time.
- Tilt your head to the side with the affected ear down, and let gravity do the work.
- Gently tug the earlobe in different directions while your head is tilted.
- Dry the outside of the ear with a soft towel. Do not push the towel into the canal.
- Lie on your side for a few minutes and see if it drains onto a towel.
- Wait. Give it several hours before you decide it is stuck.
Do not use cotton buds, fingers, hairpins or other objects. The NHS says objects like these push wax in and make things worse, and they also scratch delicate skin, which lets infection in.
When it might be more than water
Sometimes what feels like water is a skin problem in the ear canal. The NHS describes an outer ear infection as something that can be caused by an irritation of the ear canal, such as eczema, water or wearing earplugs, or a fungal or bacterial infection. That is what people usually mean by swimmer's ear.
Signs to look out for include:
- Earache.
- Itching or irritation in and around the ear.
- Scaly or sore-looking skin around the ear.
- A feeling of pressure or fullness that lingers.
- Difficulty hearing, or discharge running from the ear.
When to get help
| What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|
| Blocked or sloshing feeling after swimming or showering, no pain | Wait a few hours; it usually clears |
| Still blocked after a day or two, no pain | Think wax: see our blocked ear guide; ask a pharmacist |
| Earache that has not improved after 3 days | See a GP (NHS advice) |
| Itching, soreness, scaly skin or discharge | See a pharmacist or GP; it may be an infection |
| Swelling around the ear, fluid or blood coming out, new hearing loss, or you feel generally unwell | Get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 |
| Baby or young child with earache or pulling at the ear | Speak to a GP or pharmacist; call 111 for advice if under 5 |
If it is an infection, the NHS says a GP may give antibiotic tablets or eardrops, antifungal or steroid eardrops, or painkilling eardrops, and that eardrops may not work if they are not used correctly. While an outer ear infection lasts, the NHS advises keeping water and shampoo out of your ear and not going swimming.
Safety first
Do not use ear drops or try to flush water out if you have a perforated eardrum, grommets or have had ear surgery. Speak to your GP, pharmacist or audiologist first. Never put anything into the ear canal.
How to stop it happening again
- Dry your ears gently with a towel after swimming and showering.
- The NHS suggests earplugs or a swimming hat over your ears when you swim.
- Wear earplugs only if they fit properly, and keep them clean. Anything sitting in the canal can irritate it.
- If you get repeated ear infections, or you have grommets, ask your GP for tailored advice about swimming and bathing.
- Leave wax alone unless it is visible at the opening.
Where a sticky ear cleaner fits, and where it does not
A sticky ear cleaner is not a way to get water out of your ear, and it does not remove water or treat an infection. Once the ear is dry and comfortable, a soft cleaner such as the Meravie Sticky Ear Cleaner can lift wax you can see at the outer ear. It is for adults, and for children with adult supervision, at the outer ear only. If your ear is sore, itchy, blocked or leaking, do not use it. Wait and get advice.
Our guide on how often you should clean your ears explains why most people should do very little inside the ear at all.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for water to come out of your ear?
Usually within a few hours, and often much sooner. If it is still blocked after a day or two, or you have pain, itching or discharge, ask a pharmacist or GP.
Can I use a cotton bud to dry my ear?
No. Cotton buds can push water and wax deeper, scratch the skin and even injure the eardrum. Dry the outside of the ear with a towel instead.
What is swimmer's ear?
It is the common name for an outer ear infection. The NHS says causes include water, eczema, wearing earplugs, and fungal or bacterial infection. Symptoms include earache, itching and sometimes discharge.
Can water in the ear cause an infection?
It can contribute. The NHS lists water among the things that can irritate the ear canal and lead to an outer ear infection, but most water in the ear clears without trouble.
Should I see a GP for water in my ear?
Not usually for water alone. See a GP if earache has not improved after 3 days, or sooner if there is swelling, fluid or blood coming out, or a sudden change in hearing.
The Meravie Sticky Ear Cleaner is a consumer ear-care product for adults, and for children with adult supervision, made for visible wax on the outer ear only. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat impacted earwax, ear infections or hearing loss. If you have ear pain, discharge, sudden hearing loss, dizziness, a perforated eardrum, grommets or have had ear surgery, speak to your GP, pharmacist or audiologist.