When washing the nose, water got into the ear: what to do, how to remove water from the ear at home, tips and advice from doctors

In the article, we will figure out what to do if, when washing the nose, water gets into the ear.

The nasal cavity and middle ear are interconnected through Eustachian tubes. ENT specialists often prescribe lavage of the nasal passages using saline solutions to cleanse the accumulated mucus. However, if this therapeutic procedure is not carried out correctly, the solution can penetrate inside. This can lead to a variety of negative consequences, ranging from normal congestion to the onset of the inflammatory process. The flushing procedure can cause the patient unpleasant sensations.

So, why does rinsing the nose get water into the ear?

Causes of discomfort

After instillation or rinsing of the nose with solutions, congestion in the ears may occur. This, as a rule, is a consequence of the incorrect administration of a medical device, as a result of which water passes through the Eustachian tube into the ear cavity.

After washing the nose, the ear may become sick. Sensations of pain in the ear cavity can be associated with damage to the tympanic septum and the presence of an inflammatory process in it, which indicates the development of a disease such as otitis media.

Rinsing solutions

To cleanse the nasal cavity, as a rule, Aqualor or Dolphin solutions are prescribed, the action of which is based on leaching of viruses, dust particles, bacteria and allergens from the nose. As a result of such procedures, breathing becomes easy, the symptoms of rhinitis are significantly smoothed out. When used correctly, these products do not pose a particular danger to the functionality of the hearing organs. Otitis develops if water enters the ear through the nose. When inflammation of the middle ear began to develop after the treatment, this suggests that such a process was already proceeding in a latent form, and the washing solution only accelerated it.

Does water always get into my ear when washing my nose?

Errors when washing the nose

A negative effect on the health of the ears may be due to some errors when washing the nasal passages:

1. A sharp injection of the drug solution into the nose, which provoked its entry into the Eustachian tubes.
2. A high concentration of salt in the wash solution, which is observed with improper dilution of dry medications, due to improper storage or use after the expiration date of the medication.
3. Carrying out a medical procedure for injuries in the eardrum. Through an opening in the septum, the fluid easily penetrates the cavity of the middle ear and causes a pathological process.
4. Severe congestion or swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose. The main contraindication to the use of washing is nasal congestion and swelling of the mucosa, these processes can become a factor for the penetration of fluid into the middle ear and the development of an inflammatory process in it.
5. Manipulation of patients with otitis media or people prone to frequent relapses of this disease. Water is not the cause of inflammation, but when it penetrates the Eustachian tube, it aggravates the existing pathology. People often complain that water has got into the nose and the ear hurts. What are the symptoms?

Symptoms

Signs that after the procedure for washing the nasal passages the drug solution got into the ear cavity, the following sensations can be considered:

• stuffiness in the ear, sensation of the presence of water inside it;
• sounds are heard ringing or deaf;
• fluctuation - a feeling that fluid flows in the ear cavity.
• pain or discomfort.
  

Effects

So, when washing the nose, water got into the ear. Against this background, there is a feeling of congestion, the presence of fluid is felt in the ear, which may be accompanied by a ringing or a feeling of transfusion. Somewhat less painful sensations occur after the procedure. Incorrect conduct can cause the development of some pathologies, which is associated not only with the penetration of the solution into the ear, but also with the presence of salt and pathogenic microorganisms in it, which were washed from the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. Such pathological conditions include:

• eustachitis;
• inflammation of the tympanic septum;
• inflammatory process in the middle section;
• chronic purulent inflammation of the eardrum.

Is it dangerous that when rinsing the nose, water gets into the ear?

Within normal limits, water masses are removed from the ear cavity naturally, without causing inflammation. The danger during washing is that various saline solutions are used for this, which have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes.

Another factor provoking the development of this pathology is that particles of mucus or pus are washed out of the nose, in which there are a large number of pathogenic bacteria. These pathogens provoke the development of inflammation, which leads to the formation of purulent exudate in the middle ear, which melts the tissue and damages the fine structure of the auditory organs and tympanic septum.

It is necessary to carry out the medical procedure for washing the nose very carefully to avoid the penetration of fluid into the Eustachian tube, and through it into the middle ear region.

Water got in and my ear hurts, what should I do?

Fluid that has got from the nose into the ear cavity can cause the development or aggravation of the existing process of inflammation. With a similar problem, it is recommended to take special measures to remove the solution yourself. If it was not possible to remove the liquid in this way, it is recommended to consult a specialist. The occurrence of a pathological process subsequently causes a violation of the functionality of the organs of hearing, which can sometimes not be cured in the future.

If the patient rinsed his nose and water got into his ear, what should doctors do?

Water removal. Doctors advice

If the solution got into the ear during nose washing, then it should be removed from there and done as quickly as possible. Experts recommend using certain methods that allow you to independently remove fluid from the Eustachian tubes without seeking medical help. These include:

1. Creating a vacuum that makes the water masses move in his direction. Thanks to this physical technique, the solution can be removed. To do this, insert a finger into the ear canal and try to create a vacuum. The angle of introduction of the finger in this case depends on the direct structure of the auditory meatus. A similar procedure should be carried out very carefully so that damage to the eardrum does not occur.
2. Creates pressure in the ear that pushes water out. For this, it is necessary to draw air into the mouth and close the nostrils. In this case, you need to try to squeeze out the air without opening your mouth. If this procedure is performed correctly, air must enter the Eustachian tubes and push out the water. If this was done, a characteristic clap should occur, after which the discomfort and nasal congestion are eliminated.
3. Excretion of fluid by gravity. To do this, it is necessary to tilt your head from the side where the liquid got into your ear, and shake your head a little. In this case, it is required to close the opposite ear.
4. Swallowing or chewing movements, with which you can expand the lumen of the Eustachian tubes, this will help to bring the fluid out.
5. Hair dryer. When using this method, a stream of air is sent to the ear from the hair dryer, which should evaporate water. The application of this technique should be very accurate, since such manipulations can cause damage to the eardrum.
6. Instillation of decongestants and vasoconstrictors.

If it was not possible to remove water from the ear, you should contact the ENT specialist, who will prescribe special procedures for removing fluid and medications to prevent the development of the inflammatory process.

When water got in and the ear laid down what to do, now it’s clear.

Prevention

So that the procedure for cleansing the nose by washing does not cause pathologies of the Eustachian tubes or eardrum, some precautions must be taken. These include the following:

1. Refusal to rinse the nasal passages in the presence of swelling or severe congestion. If the nasal cavity is swollen, then after washing, you may feel that the ear is blocked. To prevent this from happening, before washing the nose, you should instill the nose with vasoconstrictor drugs, which will remove the swelling of the mucous membranes.
2. It is impossible to carry out the washing procedure for patients with otitis media or having a tendency to relapse of such a pathological process. This is one of the main conditions for the treatment of rhinitis. Its violation can provoke serious negative health consequences.
3. Accurate administration of a medical product. Solutions for washing the nasal passages should be entered slowly and gently. You can not enter them into the nose abruptly, as this can lead to the ingress of fluid into the Eustachian tube.
   

Conclusion

Solutions are used quite often, they help relieve the symptoms of swelling of the nose and accelerate recovery. So that the washing procedure does not bring harm, the patient should be extremely careful in the implementation of such manipulations and exclude the likelihood that water gets from the nose into the ear.