How to Get Water out of Your Ear for Kids

When water gets stuck in a child's ear canal it can cause major discomfort, or even serious infection. Excessive moisture in the ear canal can irritate the skin too. Once the skin is irritated, bacteria can invade it. In some cases, a serious infection can develop, such as Swimmer's Ear. Because excessive moisture is a known irritatant and a possible cause for infection, it's a good preventative measure to remove water that has become trapped in your child's ear canal, as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Antiseptic ear drops or rubbing alcohol
• Dropper
• Towel
• Hairdryer

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Instructions

• 1

  Gather and prepare your materials including a towel, a dropper, a hairdryer and an antiseptic ear drop solution or rubbing alcohol.

• 2

  Turn the child's head so that the affected ear is facing upwards. Using a dropper, place a few drops of the antiseptic solution or rubbing alcohol into the ear. Wiggle the outside of the ear canal by gently massaging the flap of skin surrounding the outer edge of ear canal opening. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes to help evaporate the water.

• 3

  Hold the towel in your hand and have the child tilt their affected ear down, towards the towel.

• 4

  Pull down on the ear lobe to open the canal and have them gently shake their head, to help the water drain out.

• 5

  Wipe the outer edge of the ear canal gently with the corner of the towel. Use a hairdryer on its lowest setting to completely dry the ear.

• 6

  Contact your child's pediatrician, if you are unable to effectively remove all the water on your own.