Earwax is a common and natural cause of ear blockage, ear infections, ear disease that often afflicts swimmers, swimmers ear, among many other causes. Here are some steps for the safest way to clean the outer and middle ear, as well as detect problems on the inside of the ear.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Loosening the Outer Ears
Step 1. Check if you have an infection
If you have an ear infection, don't do the following steps to clean your ears. If you have any of the following symptoms, go to the doctor immediately:
- Excessive and continuous pain in your ear for more than a few hours.
- Fever.
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
- Yellow or green discharge from the ear.
Step 2. Prepare earwax softening liquid medicine
You can buy it at a drugstore or make your own at home. You can make your own if you have all the ingredients you need. Mix warm water with the following ingredients
- A few drops of baby or mineral oil.
- A few drops of glycerin.
- Hydrogen peroxide (amount equal to the amount of water)
Step 3. Leave the liquid medicine in warm conditions
Putting water that is too hot or too cold into the ear can cause dizziness or vertigo.
- Dip a clean finger in the water. If you do not feel a noticeable difference in temperature then the liquid medicine is ready to use.
- Leave the mixture too warm or cold for a minute or two before putting it in your ear.
- When the liquid has cooled, warm it by pouring a little hot water or microwave it for 10 to 15 seconds.
Step 4. Lie on your side
Use gravity to help you by lying on your side so that the ear you want to clean is facing the ceiling. Place a towel to catch the fluid that comes out of your ear.
- With this position it will be easier if you ask someone to help pour the fluid into the ear.
- If you can't lie down, tilt your head as far as you can. The result will be the same.
Step 5. Straighten your ear canal
This will make it easier for the solution to enter the ear. Grasp the outer edge of your ear, by the lobe, gently pull. Your earlobes should be perpendicular to your neck.
Step 6. Pour the medicine into your ear
You can use a measuring cup, plastic or rubber syringe to put the fluid into the ear or pour it directly from the container.
- If you use a syringe, make sure you don't insert the tip too deep – just place it over the ear canal without going too deep.
- If you're pouring from a container, be careful about spilling, especially if you're doing it lying on your side. Or ask someone to pour it.
Step 7. Remain lying down for 10-15 minutes
This will give the liquid time to soften the dirt.
If you use peroxide, don't be afraid if you hear a bubbling sound in your ear. If the sound has disappeared, this is a sign that the liquid is ready to be removed
Step 8. Remove the liquid medicine from the ear
Place the empty container under the ear and tilt your head so that the liquid spills into the container.
For a complete clean, pull on your earlobe to straighten the ear canal (as in Step 4)
Step 9. Pour in more liquid (optional)
If your ear is still blocked, repeat the above process. If you've done this three times and your ears are still blocked, look for other steps in this article or contact your doctor.
Step 10. Dry the ears
Gently dry the ear after the wax to be cleaned comes out, from any remaining liquid or dirt. You can do this in a number of ways:
- Pat gently or lightly with a cloth or tissue paper.
- Turn on the hairdryer on low heat and then hold the handle a few inches from your ear.
- Put a few drops of alcohol in your ear – alcohol will dry out your skin as it evaporates.
Step 11. Ask a doctor for help
If your earwax is very lumpy and doesn't clear up on its own, call your doctor and consider options.
- General practitioners can prescribe ear drops that can soften the discharge. Use it carefully – if you overdo it you can damage the eardrum.
- An ENT specialist can clean earwax with special tools.
Method 2 of 3: Opening the Eustachian Tube (Middle Ear)
Step 1. Take precautions
A blocked eustachian tube (also called ear barotrauma) causes pain due to the pressure difference between the middle and outer ear. Most people experience this. Below are some ways to prevent this:
- Be careful when traveling by airplane. Don't sleep when the plane is about to land. Chew gum and try to yawn frequently. Allow young children to suckle or sip a drink as they descend.
- Dive slowly. If you are scuba diving, go down and up slowly. Give yourself sufficient time to adjust to the pressure. Avoid diving if you have the flu or a respiratory infection.
Step 2. Try to pop your ears
Popping or balancing the pressure in the middle and outer ear can relieve pain. Try the following methods:
- Chew gum.
- Evaporate.
- Sucking candy
- Take a deep breath, purse your lips, cover your nose and then exhale suddenly.
Step 3. Treat your flu
The membrane in the eustachian tube that connects your ear to the back of your throat is the same as the lining in your nose. Therefore, the membranes are easily swollen, especially when experiencing allergies caused by the flu or the weather.
- Taking decongestants or antihistamines will relieve inflammation of the lining of the ear. This medicine can be taken directly or using a nasal spray.
- Get enough rest to heal. Doing anything that can relieve a cold can help the eustachian tube open more quickly.
Step 4. Place a warm compress on your ear
Lie on your side and place a cloth soaked in hot water or a heating pad against your ear. This can relieve the pain.
- Place a towel between the heating pad and your ear to prevent overheating.
- Do not fall asleep while placing an electric heating pad against your ear – there is a fire hazard.
Step 5. Visit a doctor if the pain doesn't go away
Barotrauma can cause long-term complications if severe and not treated promptly. If you experience any of the following symptoms seek immediate medical attention:
- Excessive pain lasting more than 3 hours.
- Fluid or blood coming out of the ear.
- Fever.
Method 3 of 3: Detecting Inner Ear Problems
Step 1. Try the two steps above
Before panicking, try the steps presented to relieve the outer or middle ear. Chances are the problem isn't too serious.
Step 2. Go to the doctor ASAP
If you are unable to resolve the problem on your own and notice your hearing is reduced or unclear, call your doctor. You may have problems inside the ear that cannot be resolved with home remedies and require medical assistance.
Tips
- Do not dig too deep, as this can puncture the eardrum. This can result in permanent hearing problems.
- Use a timer when putting liquid medicine into your ear so that it doesn't stay in for too long or too quickly.
- The eardrum is a sensitive and easily irritated area. You should only clean your ears when necessary.
- Use water and a clean container to clean the outer ear. If the water is not clean, boil it first and let it cool before using it in a dirt-cleaning mixture or buying distilled water.
- Clumped earwax can affect hearing tests. Make sure your ears are clean before seeing an audiologist or ENT specialist.
- Clean your ears regularly.
- Ear wax therapy is not recommended. There is no evidence that this therapy provides clear benefits, after all you can burn or even damage your own ears.
- Do not use cotton ear cleaners as this will push earwax further in or damage your ears and hearing.
Warning
- This guide is meant to clean earwax naturally. If there is a foreign object in the ear, see a doctor.
- Do not apply waterpik or other mechanical water jets to your ears. You can permanently damage the eardrum.
- Do not scratch the eardrum with your fingernail to clean it. You can damage your eardrum or your hearing.
- Do not attempt to clean the ear yourself if the eardrum or tube is punctured. Ask a doctor for help.
