Ear Wax Removal

Ear Wax Picture

Pictures of Ear Wax               

Ear wax is a sticky liquid which protects the skin of the ear from water and infection. Ear wax is formed by cerumen glands in the skin of the external ear canal and also by dead skin, sweat and oil. The ear wax oils ear canal tissues and protects the ear drum.

Everyone makes ear wax. Different people make different amount and consistency of ear wax. Asians make dry wax, while wet wax is common in Western Europe. Too little or too much ear wax increases the risk of infection and hearing loss. Too much deep wax can cause fullness, noise in the ear or hearing loss. Bacteria can get trapped in the ear wax, causing infection. This can be painful or itchy.

Impacted Ear Wax

Sometimes earwax is impacted if the ear does not work properly as you age. Wax can plug up the ear, causing hearing loss and a feeling of fullness in the ear. This is called an impaction. If you are using hearing aids, it may be difficult for the ear to remove wax. In this case, you may need wax removed every year. Wax clogged ears can become the cause of hearing aid malfunction.

Ear wax is normal and healthy and not bad. It protects the ear canal and ear drum from foreign materials such as water, dirt, small insects, bacteria, etc.

Wax Removal Tips

Tiny hairs lining in the ear canal remove the wax slowly. The wax travels out of the ear canal all by itself and does not need any help. So no need to use any ear swab or a finger to take out the wax. This can hurt and push the wax in deeper. It is however safe to swab the outer portion of the ear and the opening of the ear canal, if done carefully..

Do NOT put cotton tipped applicators such as Q-tips or other things into your ear, such as hair pin, paper clip, car key or finger, because this may push the wax deep inside, which can cause a partial blockage or a complete blockage. It may cause bacterial infection of the external canal. You run the risk of perforating your ear drum.

Warning: If you have a history of ear disease, you should NOT treat the problem yourself and you must go to an ENT specialist.

Do NOT try the following home remedies for ear wax if you have or you suspect a rupture eardrum or eardrum perforation or ear infection or there is a discharge from the ear. If you have a history of any ear disease, you must go to an ENT specialist for wax problems.

Home remedies are safe and effective, if done carefully. These home remedies are best for those with small to moderate amounts of wax. If the home remedy for ear wax removal does not work, then go to a doctor.

  1. Irrigate earwax
    Plain water is found to be as effective or even more effective and faster in dissolving earwax than other things. Salt water can also be used.
    Method of ear irrigation
    Hold your head over the sink and allow a thin stream of warm water at body temperature into your ear. If the water is too warm, you may feel dizzy or nausea for a short while. Reduce the temperature of the water.
    After washing, wipe the outside of your ear with a towel. Then tilt your head and put a few drops of rubbing alcohol or apple cider vinegar-water solution into the ear canal to absorb moisture and dry the ear. Wait for a few seconds and then tilt your head to allow the alcohol to drain from the ear. This will dry your ear canal quickly.
  2. Dry & hard Wax: If the wax is dry and hard, then it will not flush out by first irrigation. To help soften the wax, lie on your sides and put a few drops of warm mineral oil or paraffin oil or baby oil or garlic oil or olive oil into the ear and keep for 2-3 minutes. Then lean your head to other side and allow the oil to flow out naturally. Repeat it for 2-3 days and then flush the wax out by ear irrigation method.
    How to put drops in the ear?
    Take an eyedropper to put a few drops of oil in the ear. Tip your head to one side and put eyedropper into the entrance to of the outer ear canal. Release the drops from the dropper and keep your head tilted until you can feel the oil in your ear.
    Note: A drop of baby oil can be placed in each ear once or twice per week to soften hard wax.
  3. Over the counter ear drops contain hydrogen peroxide and oil solutions. Can you put hydrogen peroxide in your ear? Hydrogen peroxide may be too strong to put in. Do not use enzyme-based solutions, such as Cerumenex, because it may be allergic.

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