There is an old saying that suggests putting nothing in your ears smaller than your elbow. In other words, no one should use anything mechanical to remove ear wax or any other obstruction from the deepest part of the ear canal. Even the manufacturers of cotton swabs emphasize the danger of using their products to remove ear wax deposits. There are times when one needs to remove ear wax safely, however, especially when it affects one's hearing or may lead to an infection.
To remove ear wax safely, some suggest using warmed oils such as baby oil, mineral oil or olive oil to soften the ear wax. A few drops of warmed, but not hot, oil should be placed carefully in the ear canal as the patient lies on his or her side. The oil should be allowed to remain in the ear canal for a few seconds to literally melt the ear wax. To remove ear wax after the oil has been applied, the patient should lean his or head to one side and allow the oil to flow out naturally into a clean cloth. A supply of clean water can then be squirted into the ear to remove ear wax deposits that may remain.
Another way to remove ear wax safely is to use ear drops specifically formulated to soften excessive wax. These ear drops are usually sold in the pharmacy section of a department or grocery store, along with other ear care products for swimmer's ear and general earaches. Apply these ear drops according to the directions on the box. In general, a solution is dropped into the ear canal to soften and liquefy excess ear wax. After a few minutes, the solution is allowed to drain out of the ear naturally. Some products that remove ear wax may include a rubberized bulb for flushing out residue.
Some experts suggest that the safest way to remove ear wax is not to remove it at all. The body produces ear wax for a reason - to trap outside dirt and other contaminants before they can reach the vulnerable workings of the inner ear. While some may find this waxy substance unappealing, it is not always wise to remove ear wax strictly for aesthetics. Using a cotton swab to remove ear wax in the ear canal can lead to compaction of the wax or puncture of the ear drum.
Conventional thinking nowadays is to remove ear wax only when it becomes excessive or compromises hearing. Discolored or excessive ear wax may be a sign of a larger problem, so you may need to plan a visit to your personal physician for a more thorough exam. Meanwhile, avoid using anything mechanical to remove ear wax, such as a paper clip, cotton swab or car key. A deep itch in the ear canal can often be relieved by plugging your nose and blowing air through the Eustachian tubes. Excessive ear wax buildup can become a serious problem, so seek medical attention if these home remedies do not bring relief.
Content Source: Wisegeek
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Comment > 1
39Thank you to comment number 38! I am 35, and in the past five years have twice had to have my doctor syringe my ears. The way my ears fill up, I spend weeks at a time only being able to hear properly out of one ear. The water pik sounded like it would behave just like the syringing the doctor does, so I bought one today and tried it. It worked!
I bought the version that has 10 settings. I used very warm, but not hot water. The first two tanks of water I used the lowest setting, and no wax came out. On the third tank of water, I adjusted the setting to 2 (out of 10), and it definitely felt strong. Do not go higher than that!
Very shortly, small bits of ugly wax started dropping into the sink. The key is to then be patient. It's hard to believe how much wax can be in there! After half a tank, suddenly everything got louder, and even the feel of the water changed. I stopped there, again able to hear, and the headache pressure I'd been under for days gone! It felt almost exactly like the syringing from the Doctor! What a relief. Again, definitely do not go above the low setting, and I'd still use the first two tanks at the absolutely lowest setting just to get things warmed up too.
Having had the ears syringed by the doctor in the past helped too, because the feelings you get from the method are very similar.
Comment > 2
use a water pick on the lowest setting with warm water. tilt your head toward the sink. May take 1 or 2 tank fulls of water. Keep the setting low.
This worked for my son last Christmas. He is 28 and had severe ear wax
Comment > 3
I just had a clogged ear for about four days. You can place 5 to 10 ear drops into your ear. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. (Make sure the tip of the bottle does not enter your ear canal!) Then pump it out with a ear syringe. Any pharmacy should have it. Extra wax and ear drops should still be in there so rinse your ear out with warm water. Not hot!
Comment > pr4
Someone here recommended colloidal silver along with some other junk - just thought I mentioned that if someone recommends colloidal silver, you should start becoming very suspicious of them, because colloidal silver has absolutely zero scientifically proven medicinal benefits. None. It's not a "natural antibiotic," it's garbage. Look it up.
Comment > 5
I've had this clogged right ears for 10 days now due to colds. Is it safe to pour a drop of baby oil in it? I figured that the mucus may be dried already and it's kind of hard to get rid of it.
I've already tired chewing gum almost every day and yawning more often than the normal, but still it doesn't work. What should i do?
I don't feel any pain in my ears though, but i can feel the pressure. What should i do? Do you have any safe suggestions?
Is pouring baby oil in my ears safe?
Comment > 6
First of all, (My4kids1717 & anyone else who reads this) *never* put *anything* into anyone’s ears into which “tubes” have been surgically placed or on which surgery has been performed, or if you have had or suspect you have unhealed injury or eardrum damage, without your doctor’s approval to do so. And *always* follow your doctor’s instructions for care of your ears.
Any opening in the eardrum, such as “tubes” creates a direct pathway for germs to enter the inner ear & potentially can cause serious infection, which can even become life-threatening in rare cases.
Moist, warm, & dark are the ideal conditions for proliferation of the organisms responsible for otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear, also known as “swimmer’s ear”). Prevention is the key. Do not allow your ears or those of your children to become a happy home for swimmer’s ear germs.
Decades ago (years before I became a registered nurse) my cousin, a medical technologist & professional water ballet instructor, told me about a very inexpensive, simple, & effective way to prevent swimmers' ear. This is much easier than it sounds):
1) Keep water from getting into your ears:
If you are prone to swimmer’s ear infections, do not swim, bathe, or shower without using water-tight earplugs to keep water out of your ears. (But, do not put ear plugs into your ears if they already have water in them.) Remove the earplugs as soon as you are out of the water. Then follow steps 2 & 3 below. Don’t wait because moisture in your ears facilitates an ideal environment for growth of the organisms that cause swimmer’s ear.
2) Get the water out of your ears:
After swimming or any activity that causes water to enter the ears, such as bathing or showering, as soon as you get out of the water, tilt your head to one side so that your ears are horizontal for a minute or two. Grasp your lower ear (the one on the bottom, closest to the floor) & gently pull it out from your head (down toward the floor) & toward the top of your head to straighten the ear canal. Let any water in your ear drain out. Tilt your head to the other side & repeat for the other ear.
Chemically discourage germs that cause swimmer’s ear:
3) Again, tilt your head to the side so that your ears are horizontal. Use a dropper to put a generous amount of a solution of half household white vinegar & half rubbing alcohol (70% to 99% on the label) into your upper ear & stay in that position for a minute or two. You should be able to feel the solution drain down into your ear until it feels full. Before you raise your head to a vertical position, gently place a cotton ball in the ear into which you put the solution. Tilt your head to the other side & repeat this procedure for the other ear. Leave the cotton balls in your ear for about 30 to 60 minutes to keep the solution in your ears & to catch it as it drains out.
The acidity of the vinegar discourages the growth of bacteria & fungi, the organisms that cause swimmer’s ear, which cannot survive in an acid environment. Rubbing alcohol is an antiseptic, & also promotes dryness inside the ear canal which discourages the growth of the organisms that cause swimmer’s ear.
Some recommend adding hydrogen peroxide to the solution, & some don’t. Peroxide releases oxygen which discourages growth of anaerobic organisms which cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment. Peroxide has also been shown to cause mild damage to tissue in open wounds. However, many doctors do use hydrogen peroxide for care of certain types of wounds because the expected benefits outweigh the risks. Never use hydrogen peroxide for this purpose that is not labeled “U.S.P.” (United States Pharmacopoeia), & “for topical use”, or that is stronger than 3% according to the active ingredients list on label. If you want to add peroxide to your vinegar & alcohol ear solution, adding an amount that is only 1/2 or less of the volume of either the vinegar or of the alcohol might be wise. In other words, use an amount of peroxide equal to 1/5 or less of the total volume of your ear solution.
For example:
2 ounces of white vinegar
+ 2 ounces of rubbing alcohol
+ 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide U.S.P.
The above steps will help prevent swimmer’s ear by decreasing the moisture level in your ears and by changing the pH to mildly acid which is “unfriendly” for otitis externa germs. These measures do not target the “dark” or “warm”, but I’m sure you would agree that it is not practical to run around with flashlights shining into your ears & wearing ice cubes for ear decorations.
Final note: If you have significant ear pain that does not resolve on its own in a day or two, or that is getting worse, do not hesitate to stop the above treatment and immediately consult with your health care provider.
