How To Safely Treat Earwax Buildup
No one really likes earwax. If you produce too much of it, it can be a gross sight, and for others, a buildup of earwax might cause some difficulty in hearing. Because it has settled inside of the inner ear, audio vibrations can't effectively move through the mass, resulting in a cloudy or unclear sound. It may sound as though you're listening to someone speak through a pillow or closed door. Besides the effects on hearing, earwax buildup could also affect ear health.
Because earwax works to keep particles of bacteria and other dangerous infections from entering your ear, if it can't do its job, then that's infectious material entering your ear. A buildup of wax keeps the new and healthy wax from collecting that bacteria. To ensure your ears are as healthy as possible, consider these ways to, and not to, treat earwax buildup.
Removal With A Curet Or Suction
The best way to remove earwax buildup is to see a doctor, as they can provide earwax removal with a curet or through suction. These options are safe and don't damage the patient's ear in the process. In some cases, the doctor might use a curet. This curved instrument can carefully access the blockage in the ear and strip away the unnecessary earwax. The process may be slow depending on how significant the buildup of wax is.
Another method a doctor may choose to implement is micro-suctioning. In this method, a doctor has a device that does just as its name suggests. With a camera mounted on it, that doctor can see exactly what they're doing while they're inside the patient's ear, which makes the process considerably safer than other treatments. The instrument is used to suck away the earwax until the inner ear is left clean and unblocked. The technique as a whole is safe, comfortable, and easy. There's also no risk of perforations as might be observed during other treatments. Lastly, there isn't a mess left behind since there's no water used to clean out the ear.
Keep reading to learn about the next safe treatment option for earwax buildup.
Use Of Bulb Syringe With Warm Water
At times, if you feel as though your ears are clogged, it may be because the wax inside has hardened. If that's the case, the new wax your ear is producing cannot effectively push the old wax out of the ear. Hence, a buildup of earwax is formed. An easy and safe method to help your ears with their own cleaning process is the use of bulb syringe with warm water. By laying down on your side, you can take the syringe and carefully apply warm water within your ear. You should have a towel nearby to help with any drips that may occur, as well as to clean up the mess.
You should also do what you can to make sure you don't touch the bulb or syringe to your ear, especially your inner ear. Since it takes time for the wax to soften, lay on your side for a few minutes with the water in your ear. Afterward, rinse the water out and dry your ear with a soft towel.
Continue to reveal more about how to treat earwax buildup safely.
Soften Wax With Mineral Oil
Another excellent method to soften earwax that has built up inside of the ear is to use mineral oil. To soften wax with mineral oil, you may want to consider making the following solution. Mineral oil and glycerin, when mixed together, work as a powerful softener and cleaner and is safe to use on the inside of the ear. Similar to the warm water method, use a syringe to insert the solution inside your ear. Again, make sure the syringe doesn't touch the inside of your ear.
Wait on your side for a few minutes, so the solution can do its work. Then rinse your ear with warm water and dry it. It may take a few treatments for the earwax to soften completely, so perform this treatment for a few days. If your earwax refuses to soften, it's time to call your doctor to try another method instead. However, once the wax does soften, your ear can take care of the rest. The new wax will be formed, and it will push the old wax out of the ear, clearing it right up.
Continue reading to discover the next piece of treatment advice for earwax buildup.
No Inserting Objects Into The Ear
While the temptation to use a tip or cotton ball to clean your ears may rise, don't go for it. Using foreign objects inside of the ear can actually damage it greatly. For one, you might perforate the inside of your ear or eardrum, which could cause a great deal of pain and may affect your hearing for the rest of your life. It might also end up in your ear producing more earwax in the long run since your ear tends to produce more wax when there is a foreign object inside it.
In addition, by using a cotton ball or swab, you might end up pushing the wax further inside the ear. This could make the backup even worse since you could leave your ear with no method to get rid of wax pushed that far back. As such, follow the principle rule of no inserting objects into the ear.
Continue to understand the next treatment that should not be performed for earwax buildup.
No Ear Candling
Ear candling has become a popular alternative method to removing earwax from within ear. The process concerns sticking a candle in the ear and lighting the tip. The belief is a low-level suction is formed that sucks the wax out of the ear. It also is believed to help soften the wax due to the heat, with the wax falling out within a couple of days. However, no scientific evidence has proven these claims. In addition to this, you are more than likely will burn yourself rather than safely removing the earwax. Rather, opt for one of the previous methods mentioned, as you'll have better luck removing the earwax safely and effectively, without the risk of burning yourself.
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Earwax Removal Medication
Another form of treatment for a buildup of wax in the ears is earwax removal medication. Carbamide peroxide is the generic name for several brand names of earwax removal medications, which may be purchased over-the-counter or by prescription. Following directions on the medication label or as prescribed by the physician is necessary for safe usage. Placing the medication into the ear canal will help soften and loosen the ear wax for easier removal. If the eardrum has been perforated, these medications should not be used. If ear pain, drainage, bleeding, or itching is present, the medications should not be used without consulting a medical provider.
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Soften Wax With Olive Oil
Olive oil is known for providing many health benefits. A key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, olive oil can decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. It has also been used as a natural remedy for ear pain and ear wax impaction. A few medical studies have been performed to examine the success of trying to soften wax with olive oil.
In 2003, a study was performed in South Yorkshire and Essex, England evaluating the benefits of using olive oil to lubricate the ear canal to prevent or help slough out earwax. Attendees of an ear wax exhibition who were over fifty years old and had occlusive earwax in both ears were selected to use olive oil in one ear every night for twenty-four weeks while providing the usual care of the other ear (the control factor).
Over time, consistent use of olive oil increased the amount of ear wax accumulation. It was ascertained long-term use was not recommended, but spraying olive oil into the ear canal prior to attempting wax removal facilitated complete removal of earwax buildup.
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Try Eardrops
In addition to medicated prescription or over-the-counter ear drops, some natural ingredients can be administered by a cotton ball or medicine dropper into the ear to soften and remove ear wax. Some people try eardrops such as hydrogen peroxide, baby oil, mineral oil, or glycerin to soften earwax for effective removal. When administering any kind of eardrops, it is important to keep the head tilted in the direction that will elevate the affected ear for easy access. Apply slight traction in an upward and outward direction on the outer ear lobe and administer the drops to allow them to drip down to the area of wax occlusion. When the drops have had a few minutes to work, the head should be tilted in the opposite direction to allow the fluid and wax to drain out of the ear. If any pain, itching or redness of the ear is apparent, contact a physician before attempting any type of home treatment.