Removing Earwax
August 8, 2009
Earwax present in the ear is a product that helps to protect the ear from water and dust. The wax buds present in the external ear produce it. It is also formed by excess of oil, sweat and dead skin in the ear. Children suffer from this problem more than adults.
Too little or too much of ear wax can be harmful. Too little can cause infection in the ear very easily and too much of it can cause hearing loss by plugging the ear and also trap bacteria that causes infection resulting in pain and itching.
Symptoms
If one has increased earwax then there would be reduction in hearing, dizziness, pain in the ear and sometimes a ringing sound may also appear in the ear.
Home Remedies for Removing Earwax
Whenever you take bath clean the outside portion of the ears with a towel. There are several home remedies for cleaning the ears but sometimes they can be harmful so it is necessary to clean the ears with certain precautions and proper instructions.
Cleaning of the ear canal can be done by using seawater, ear spay or baby oil. But you can do it only if you have healthy ear drum. Any problem with the eardrum like any hole in it contradicts the use of any home remedy. You must consult your doctor then.
First step in removing the earwax at home is to soften the wax by putting mineral oil or paraffin oil into the ear for 2-3 days. This would soften the wax and then use nozzles that are specially made to remove the wax. Never use finger or ear buds to clean the ear as they push the wax more inside the ear.
Hydrogen peroxide is also effective in removing wax from the ear but at the same time it is dangerous too. If you have any problem in the ear you could damage your eardrum by using it.
You need to consult the doctor if any mucus or blood starts coming out of the ear, if there is some hearing problem or when the wax in the ear becomes too dry. One should never use cotton buds to clean the ears even in children. Get the ear of the children cleaned by the doctor regularly once in 6 months to prevent any infections.
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