The Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning your Ears
Many products are advertised for ear cleaning…from cotton swabs to ear candles. However, our ears actually have built-in systems for cleaning themselves. The best way to ensure your ear canals are healthy and functioning properly is to try not to interfere with these natural processes. However, see a doctor if you notice ear pain, ear fullness, or hearing changes. Here are some do’s and don’ts when clearing your ears.
Don’t: Use Cotton Swabs Inside of Your Ears
A common mistake many people make when it comes to cleaning out their ears is using cotton swabs. While it’s okay to use cotton swabs on the outside of your ear, you should never stick them deep inside your ear canal. A cotton swab can cause serious damage to your ear because it can just push earwax further down the ear, slow down the natural process of earwax removal, and result in an eardrum injury. Swabbing or sticking pointy objects inside your ear can cause other serious problems:
Infection
Rupture of the eardrum
Significant hearing loss
Do: Try a Warm Washcloth
A much safer alternative for cleaning your ears is to use a wet washcloth instead. All you have to do is use a warm and wet washcloth and clean the outside part of your ear. Once you are finished, use another washcloth to dry your ears. This is a good, proactive way to keep your ears clear and help prevent an ear infection.
Don’t: Use Ear Candles
Another one of the worst ways you can clean your ear is by using ear candles. A major reason why you should avoid ear candles is because the method calls for a flame to draw the ear wax upward. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found they can cause burns and even pierce the inside of the ear. Besides the risk of having an open flame near your head and hair, there is zero evidence that these candles create enough suction to pull ear wax from the ear canal.
Do: Get Ear Drops
Instead of ear candles, consider ear drops. You can purchase most ear drops that are designed for ear wax softening and removal over the counter. They should not be used if you have active ear disease or suspect that you have an eardrum perforation.
Some people suffer from a buildup of ear wax that leads to a condition called ceruminosis. When this happens, patients can develop ear infections and experience hearing loss, ear pain, and tinnitus. This condition can sometimes be treated by over-the-counter ear drops but often needs to be managed by a health care professional. A quick ear exam and a professional hearing test will tell you if there is more going on than just earwax buildup. Hearing aid wearers are more likely to develop a buildup of cerumen.
