In the article we will figure out what to do if water gets into the ear when washing the nose.
The nasal and middle ear cavities are connected through the Eustachian tubes. ENT specialists often prescribe nasal lavage with saline solutions to clear 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 the usual congestion, ending with the onset of the inflammatory process. Irrigation may be uncomfortable for the patient.
So, why does rinsing the nose get water into the ear?
Causes of discomfort
After instillation or nasal rinsing with solutions, congestion in the ears may occur. This is usuallydue to improper 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 hurt. Feelings of pain in the ear cavity may 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 washing out 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 media develops when water enters the ear through the nose. When, after a therapeutic measure, inflammation of the middle ear began to develop, this indicates that such a process had already proceeded in a latent form, and the washing solution only accelerated it.
Does rinsing the nose always get water into the ear?
Mistakes when washing the nose
Negative effects on ear he alth may be due to some errors in nasal irrigations:
- Sudden injection of a drug solution into the nose, which caused it to enter the Eustachian tubes.
- High concentration of s alt in the washing solution, which is observed when diluted incorrectlydry medicinal products, due to improper storage or use after the expiration date of the medicinal product.
- Carrying out a medical procedure for injuries in the eardrum. Through the hole in the septum, the fluid easily penetrates into the cavity of the middle ear and causes a pathological process.
- Severe congestion or swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose. The main contraindication to the use of lavages is nasal congestion and swelling of the mucous membrane, these processes can become a factor for the penetration of fluid into the middle ear area and the development of an inflammatory process in it.
- Manipulating patients with otitis or people prone to frequent relapses of this disease. Water is not the cause of inflammation, however, when it enters the Eustachian tube, it exacerbates the existing pathology. People often complain that water gets into their nose and their ears hurt. 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 muffled;
- fluctuation - the feeling that fluid flows in the ear cavity.
- pain or discomfort.
Consequences
So, while washing the nose, water got into the ear. Against this background, there is a feeling of congestion in the earthe presence of fluid is felt, which may be accompanied by ringing or a feeling of transfusion. Somewhat less often there are painful sensations after the procedure. Improper conduction 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 s alt and pathogenic microorganisms in it, which were washed out from the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. These 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 water gets into the ear when rinsing the nose?
Within normal limits, water masses are removed from the ear cavity in a natural way, 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 that provokes 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 tissues and damages the delicate structure of the auditory organs and the tympanic septum.
It is necessary to carry out the medical procedure for washing the nose very carefully to avoid the penetration of liquid into the Eustachian tube, and through it into the middle ear.
Water got in and my ear hurts, what should I do?
Fluid that has entered the ear cavity from the nose can cause the development or aggravation of the existing inflammation process. With such a 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 becomes the cause of a violation of the functionality of the hearing organs, which is sometimes impossible to cure in the future.
If a patient was rinsing his nose and water got into his ear, what should the doctors say?
Water removal. Doctors' advice
If during the process of washing the nose the solution got into the ear, then it should be removed from there and done as soon as possible. Experts recommend using certain methods that allow you to independently remove fluid from the Eustachian tubes without seeking medical help. These include:
- Creating a vacuum that causes water masses to move towards him. Thanks to a similar physical technique, the solution can be removed. To do this, insert your finger into the ear canal and try to create a vacuum. The angle of insertion of the finger in this case depends on the direct structure of the auditory canal. Such a procedure should be carried out very carefully so that there is no damage to the eardrum.
- Creating pressure in the ear that pushes the water out. For this it is necessaryTake a breath in your mouth and close your nostrils. In this case, you need to try to squeeze the air out of yourself without opening your mouth. If this procedure is performed correctly, air should enter the Eustachian tubes and push out the water. If this was done, a characteristic pop should occur, after which discomfort and nasal congestion are eliminated.
- Removal of fluid using gravity. To do this, tilt your head to the side where the liquid got into your ear, and shake your head a little. This requires covering the opposite ear.
- Swallowing or chewing to widen the lumen of the Eustachian tubes to help expel fluid.
- Hair dryer. When using this method, a stream of air from a hair dryer is sent into the ear, which should evaporate the water. The use of this technique must be very careful, since such manipulations can cause damage to the eardrum.
- Instillation with decongestants and vasoconstrictors.
If it was not possible to remove water from the ear, you should contact the ENT, who will prescribe special procedures for removing fluid and medications to prevent the development of the inflammatory process.
When the water got in and the ear was blocked, now it's clear what to do.
Prevention
In order for the nasal lavage procedure to not cause pathologies of the Eustachian tubes or eardrum, it is necessary to take someprecautionary measures. These include the following:
- Refusal to wash the nasal passages in the presence of swelling or severe congestion. If the nasal cavity is swollen, then after washing it may feel like the ear is blocked. To prevent this from happening, before washing the nose, you should instill the nose with vasoconstrictor drugs that will relieve swelling of the mucous membranes.
- It is impossible to carry out the washing procedure for patients with otitis media or those with 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 he alth consequences.
- Gently inserting a medical device. Solutions for washing the nasal passages should be administered slowly and carefully. Do not insert them into the nose abruptly, as this can lead to fluid entering the Eustachian tube.
Conclusion
Solutions are used quite often, they help relieve the symptoms of swelling of the nose and speed up recovery. In order for the washing procedure not to be harmful, the patient should be extremely careful in the implementation of such manipulation and exclude the possibility of water getting into the ear from the nose.
