How Long Can Water Stay in Your Ears? Here’s What You Need to Know
What Happens When Water Gets Stuck in Your Ears?
Okay, let’s talk about water in your ears for a second. You know that feeling when you come out of the pool or shower and it’s like your ear is hosting a mini swimming party? I don’t know about you, but that feeling can be so annoying. You’re sitting there, trying to shake it out, but it just won’t budge. So, how long can water actually stay in your ear? Does it just disappear eventually? Or could it cause problems?
Actually, water doesn’t usually stay in your ear for as long as it feels. Normally, it’ll drain out within a few minutes to an hour. But, here’s the catch – if it’s trapped for too long, it can lead to a condition called “swimmer’s ear,” which is basically an infection. So, yeah, water might feel harmless at first, but it’s important to pay attention to how long it sticks around.
Why Does Water Get Stuck in Your Ears?
The Anatomy of Your Ear
First off, let’s talk about why water gets trapped in your ears in the first place. Your ear canal isn’t straight – it has a bit of a bend to it, which is pretty cool for hearing but not so great for getting rid of water. It’s easy for water to get in, but tricky for it to get out, especially if you’ve been swimming or taking a long shower.
I remember a time when I went swimming at the beach with a friend. The water was awesome, but when I got out, I couldn’t shake that pesky water out of my ear no matter what I tried. It just sat there, feeling like I had a tiny pool inside my ear. Not fun, trust me.
The Shape and Size of Your Ear Canal
You’ve probably heard about the shape of your ear canal affecting how water stays in there. Some people have narrower or more curved canals, which makes it harder for water to escape. So, if you’re one of those people, don’t be surprised if water tends to hang out longer than you’d like.
How Long is Too Long for Water to Stay in Your Ear?
Alright, now you’re probably wondering, “How long can I leave it before something bad happens?” Honestly, water usually won’t stay in your ear for days or weeks unless there’s a real blockage, but you should never let it linger too long. If the water doesn’t drain within a few hours, it can lead to an infection.
What Happens If Water Stays in Your Ear Too Long?
If water remains trapped for a prolonged period, it creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. And that’s when swimmer’s ear (or otitis externa) comes into play. I had a friend who didn’t clear the water out of his ear for days after a pool session, and bam! He ended up with an infection that was pretty painful. His ear became red, swollen, and sore, and he couldn’t even touch it without wincing. Not something you want to experience.
It doesn’t take days for water to cause issues though – just a few hours can be enough for bacteria to start multiplying.
How to Get Water Out of Your Ear
Simple Ways to Get Water Out
You don’t have to panic if you’ve got water stuck in your ear. Here are some tips that might help you get it out:
Tilt Your Head: Well, the simplest thing to do is just tilt your head to the side and pull on your earlobe. Gravity can often help the water slide out.
Jumping on One Foot: I know, sounds weird, but it’s one of those tricks that can actually work. Jumping and tilting your head in the direction of the ear that has water in it can help it drain out.
Drying with a Towel: After trying gravity tricks, use a towel to gently wipe your outer ear. But don’t stick anything deep into your ear canal – I’ve made that mistake, and it’s not fun.
Use a Hair Dryer (on Low Heat): If nothing’s working, a hairdryer set on low heat can help evaporate the water. Keep it at a safe distance, though – you don’t want to burn yourself!
When to Seek Help
Okay, if you’ve tried everything and the water’s still stuck, or if you start to feel pain, it’s time to see a doctor. It’s better to get checked out than to risk an infection, especially if you’re dealing with symptoms like redness, itching, or a feeling of fullness in your ear.
Conclusion: Don’t Let Water Hang Around
Honestly, most of the time, water will leave your ear in less than an hour. But, if it’s been a while, you need to pay attention because leaving it trapped for too long can cause all kinds of problems. So, don’t let it linger. If you ever find yourself struggling with water in your ear, try some of the tips I mentioned, and if that doesn’t work, it might be time to get some professional help.
What about you – have you ever had water stuck in your ear for too long? How did you deal with it? I’d love to hear your experiences!
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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.