How to Remove Stubborn Ear Wax at Home
If you’ve ever had an earache or trouble hearing, you might have wondered how to get rid of deep ear wax at home. You can safely remove stubborn ear wax using mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or ND Products ear wax removal kit to help it. Ear drops and a syringe can also be effective.
You don’t need to worry about removing ear wax most of the time. Washing your hair is often enough to clear out any ear wax blockage. Ear wax protects your ear canal by keeping it moist, preventing infections, and keeping debris out of your ear.
However, ear wax can sometimes build up and cause discomfort. If you want to remove it, be careful, as using the wrong methods can damage your ear. Read on to learn how to remove ear wax at home safely.
What Is Ear Wax?
Cells in your outer ear canal produce ear wax, also known as cerumen. It moves through the ear canal and into the opening, naturally falling out on its own or when you shower.
Ear wax has several benefits:
- Moisturizes the ear canal
- Protects against ear infections
- Shields your eardrums from dust, dirt, and other harmful substances
What Causes Ear Wax to Build Up?
Normally, ear wax moves out of the ear on its own. Unlike nails or hair, ear wax shouldn’t be removed regularly. Everyday movements like chewing and talking help push ear wax out of the ear canal.
However, ear wax buildup can happen. It can occur if you use Q-tips to clean your ears or if your body produces a lot of ear wax. If your ear wax is sticky or hard, it may not come out easily on its own.
Too much ear wax can get stuck in the ear canal, causing symptoms like: Earache, Muffled hearing, Plugged ears and Ringing in the ears.
How to Remove Stubborn Ear Wax
If your ear wax hardens and builds up, there’s usually no real danger. If it makes you uncomfortable, you can try these safe home remedies to remove it:
Soften the Ear Wax
Using mineral oil, baby oil, or glycerin can help soften and break up ear wax buildup. Here’s how to do it:
- Warm the Oil: Warm mineral oil, baby oil, or glycerin to body temperature.
- Apply the Oil: Tilt your head and place a few drops of the warm oil into the affected ear.
- Repeat: Do this twice daily for five days or until the ear wax softens.
Flush the Ear Wax
Once the ear wax is softened, you can try to flush it out:
- Warm Water: While showering, guide warm water into the affected ear.
- Tilt Your Head: Tip your head to let the water flush out the ear wax.
- Dry Your Ear: Clean your outer ear using a cloth or paper towel.
ND Products Inc — Innovative Healthcare Product
Introducing the Ear-O-Care® 4 in 1 Ear Wax Removal Care Kit — your ultimate solution for safe, easy, and effective ear care. Designed with precision and user comfort in mind, this all-in-one kit offers everything you need to keep your ears clean and healthy.
Ear-O-Care makes it easy! All you have to do is turn the Ear-O-Care best ear wax removal tool clockwise (the direction of the arrow on the handle as you insert it into your ear). When you believe all of the ear wax has been trapped under the spiral fins, cautiously remove the ear cleaner gadget. This is all there is to it!
If you’ve been wondering, “Are spiral ear wax removers safe?” the answer is YES when you use Ear-O-Care.
Warning: Do not use if you have an injury or medical condition in your ear. If you suffer any discomfort while using this medication, discontinue use. Twist solely in the direction of the arrow and carefully insert the tip.
Home Remedies to Avoid for Ear Wax Removal
Taking care of your ears is important, but some methods of removing ear wax can do more harm than good. Here are some common home remedies to avoid:
Avoid Using Q-tips
While Q-tips might seem like the perfect tool for cleaning your ears, they can actually cause more harm than good. Here’s why:
- Risk of Injury: Inserting a Q-tip too deeply into your ear can injure the ear canal or even rupture the eardrum. A ruptured eardrum can lead to serious complications, such as Chronic ear infections or drainage, Dizziness, Hearing loss, Mastoiditis (an infection that spreads to the bone behind your ear), Vertigo
- Ineffective Wax Removal: Instead of removing ear wax, Q-tips often push it further into the ear canal, causing impaction. This can lead to discomfort and hearing problems, especially in people with narrow ear canals or those who wear hearing aids.
Avoid Using Camera-Based Ear Wax Removal Kits
Ear wax removal kits with cameras, which are available online, might seem like a high-tech solution. However, they come with their risks:
- Risk of Damage: Using objects like tiny metal spoons or hairpins to scrape out ear wax can cause injuries. Even small scrapes in the ear canal can become infected.
Avoid Ear Candling
Ear candling is a method where a specially shaped candle is placed in the ear and lit to create a vacuum that supposedly draws out ear wax. This method is not recommended for several reasons:
- Lack of Evidence: There is no scientific proof that ear candling effectively removes ear wax.
- Risk of Burns: The hot wax from the candle can cause burns to the skin and damage the ear.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider for Ear Wax Removal
Home remedies can often help with ear wax buildup, but sometimes you need a professional’s help. Here’s when you should contact a healthcare provider:
When Home Remedies Don’t Work
If you’ve tried safe home remedies like using softening drops or gentle irrigation and still can’t get rid of the ear wax, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. They have special tools and techniques to remove excess ear wax effectively. One common method they use is ear irrigation with a water solution, which can safely flush out the wax.
