Water suddenly running from your nose or ear, sometimes minutes or even hours after swimming, is a common and often confusing phenomenon. This delayed drainage gives the impression that the water was absorbed by the body and is now being expelled. In reality, the water never fully entered your system but was temporarily held captive by the complex anatomy of your head. This post-swim leakage is almost always a harmless event caused by fluid dynamics interacting with the small, twisting passages of your upper respiratory tract and auditory canals.
The Sinus Drainage Delay
The most frequent source of post-swim leakage is the nasal passages and adjoining sinus cavities. When swimming or submerging your head, water is often forced into the nasal cavity and sometimes into the air-filled sinuses. These sinuses connect to the nasal passages through tiny openings called ostia, which makes immediate drainage difficult against gravity.
The lining of the nasal and sinus passages is covered in a protective layer of mucus and tiny, hair-like structures called cilia. Cilia constantly sweep the mucus toward the back of the throat to clear away debris. When water, especially chlorinated pool water, enters, it can irritate this delicate lining, causing it to swell and inflame. This irritation and swelling effectively narrows the ostia, temporarily trapping the water and mucus mixture inside the cavities.
The water remains lodged until a change in head position or movement allows gravity to overcome the surface tension and the physical blockage. This delayed release can happen long after you have finished swimming, resulting in the sudden, unexpected rush of fluid from the nose. The presence of chlorine or other irritants in the water exacerbates this issue, as they trigger a stronger inflammatory response that keeps the drainage channels closed longer.
Water Trapped in the Ear Canal
Another major site for delayed water release is the external ear canal, the S-shaped tube running from the outer ear to the eardrum. When water enters this canal, it can become trapped against the skin of the passage by surface tension and physical obstruction. The natural curves and bends of the ear canal make it easy for a small amount of fluid to be held in place, resisting simple attempts to shake it out.
Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural component of the ear canal that helps protect it, but a buildup of this wax can create a physical dam, preventing water from draining freely. The trapped water creates a humid environment that can cause the skin lining of the canal to swell slightly, further reducing the space available for drainage.
The delayed exit often occurs when tilting the head or lying down, changing the gravitational pull on the trapped water and breaking the surface tension holding it in place. The sensation of fullness or muffled hearing usually persists until the water finally escapes. This water is contained entirely within the external part of the ear and does not travel past the eardrum.
When Leaking Water Becomes a Health Concern
While delayed water drainage is normally harmless, retained moisture can sometimes create an environment that leads to infection, signaling a need for medical attention. The most common risk in the ear is otitis externa, widely known as Swimmer’s Ear, which is an infection of the external ear canal. Symptoms often start with an itchy ear, progressing to pain that worsens when the outer ear is tugged, or by the presence of discharge. Muffled hearing and a feeling of fullness are also common signs of this condition.
In the sinuses, the retention of water, irritants, and mucus can lead to acute sinusitis, sometimes called Swimmer’s Sinusitis. This condition is characterized by facial pressure or pain around the eyes and cheeks, nasal congestion, and a runny nose that persists for days. If you experience severe ear pain, fever, noticeable ear discharge, or facial pain that lasts for more than a few days, consult a healthcare provider. Ignoring these persistent symptoms can allow an infection to become more serious.
Simple Ways to Prevent Water Retention
The best approach to preventing the inconvenience of post-swim leakage is to stop the water from becoming trapped in the first place. Using earplugs designed for swimming or a nose clip can physically block the entry of water into the ear canal and nasal passages.
For the ears, immediately after swimming, use a towel to gently dry the outer ear. Then, tilt your head to each side, pulling the earlobe in various directions to help break the water’s surface tension and encourage drainage. You can also use a low-setting hairdryer held several inches away to gently dry the ear canal after swimming.
For the nasal passages, performing a saline nasal rinse or using a neti pot shortly after exiting the water can flush out any residual water and irritants like chlorine. This action helps to reduce the initial irritation and swelling that causes the delayed drainage of the sinus cavities.