Ears are prone to sweating, especially in humid or hot weather. This natural process helps your body cool itself and prevents overheating or hyperthermia. To release heat, the sweat gland in your ears produces small amounts of perspiration. If your ears feel sweaty inside and you notice a wet feeling after you’ve had them covered for a while, it’s because the sweat has built up rather than evaporated. The build-up of moisture can be due to many factors, including genetics, humidity levels, heat exhaustion, stress, and diet. Read on to find out more about why my ears feel wet inside.

Why Do My Ears Feel Wet Inside?‍

If you can’t hear anything, there’s a good chance that something is stuck in your ear. You may also feel a pinch in your ear when you move your head. This is normal and nothing to worry about. If you have an ear infection, the pain will be more intense and the feeling of something “falling” into the ear will be even more pronounced.

What Causes Ears To Feel Sweaty?

Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a common and harmless disorder that occurs when the sweat glands in the body overproduce sweat. When people are excessively sweating, they may notice their ears feel wet. Sweat that collects in your ears can build up and cause a thick buildup of earwax. This buildup can get so heavy that it starts to push against your eardrum and may cause pain or discomfort.

Take too many hot showers

 If you are taking a very hot shower, you may be causing your ears to feel sweaty. Hot water is more likely to evaporate than cold water and causes the body to produce more sweat. If you take a very hot shower, your body will produce sweat at a faster rate, which can make your ears feel wet for hours after the shower.

Dehydration

Another cause of sweaty ears is dehydration. Dehydration occurs when your body does not have enough water to function properly. When you are dehydrated, you may notice that your ears feel wet and sticky.

Stress

Stress can cause the body to sweat more, which can result in sweaty ears. If you are experiencing high levels of stress, it’s best to visit a doctor or seek help as this could be a sign of depression or an anxiety disorder.

Take too many showers

Similar to excessive sweating, taking too many hot showers can cause your ears to become moist and sticky all day long. If you notice your ears feeling wet, you may want to take a break from taking hot showers, and try taking cooler showers instead.

Take cold showers

Cold water is known to be drying, so if you are experiencing sweaty ears after a cold shower, this could be the cause. If you are experiencing sweaty ears after a cold shower, try taking warmer showers instead.

Not wearing ear plugs

Another way that you can help prevent sweaty ears from occurring is by wearing ear plugs. Earplugs are designed to keep water out of the ear canal, which will protect your eardrum from getting wet and sticky all day long. If you find that you are experiencing sweaty ears after sleeping for long periods of time or during the day, try putting in an extra pair of earplugs to help keep your eardrum dry and safe.

Get too much sleep

If you are getting very little sleep, it’s possible that your body is not producing the right amount of natural oils in the skin, which can cause excessive sweating on your skin and in the ear canal. When there is not enough oil produced by the body, you may notice that your ears feel wet after sleeping for long periods of time and throughout the day as well.  

Use cotton swabs

Using cotton swabs to clean out your ears may cause them to get wet or sticky all day long. Cotton swabs can be rough on the eardrum and cause pain or discomfort when inserted into the ear canal, which can lead to sweaty ears for some people.  

Use cotton balls

Cotton balls are another option for cleaning out your ears that may cause them to become moist or sticky all day long. Cotton balls tend to be more gentle on the eardrum than cotton swabs, so if you find that they are irritating, try switching from cotton swabs to cotton balls instead for some relief from sweaty ears.

Tips To Manage The Discomfort Of Wet Ears

  • Avoid using your phone in the shower. The steam from hot water can build up and cause pain and discomfort.
  • If you have a water-resistant phone case, keep it on to avoid the buildup of moisture that can cause pain and discomfort.
  • Don’t sleep with your head on pillows or mattresses; this can trap heat in your ears and make them feel uncomfortable instead of feeling cool and dry.
  • Keep your ears dry with earplugs during physical activity, such as swimming, running, or exercising with weights.
  • Massage your ears after showering to keep them moist for only a short period of time; doing so too often may lead to an infection or other health issues in the ear canal.
  • Use a humidifier to keep your ears moist during the dryer months of winter.
  • Keep your ear canals clean and free of debris with cotton swabs and Q-tips, but be careful not to push too far into the ear canal.
  • If you are experiencing frequent and severe pain from wet ears, see a doctor for further treatment.
  • Talk with a doctor about regularly cleaning your ears with warm or hot water (do not use hot water, as it can damage the skin inside your ear canal).
  • If you experience chronic infections, see a doctor for treatment and prevention of future infections.

Conclusion

Wet ears can be caused by a variety of factors, but the best way to prevent and treat them is to keep your ears dry. This can be achieved by avoiding water-heavy activities and covering your ears during hot or humid weather. If your ears feel wet, try using earplugs, and use a washcloth to clean your ear canals regularly, and you should soon find your ears feeling dry and comfortable.