Although it can sometimes be a bit disgusting to talk about, earwax should not be underestimated when it comes to ear health. Everyone needs some amount of earwax to keep the ears healthy and functioning properly. However, too much stool can cause pain, blockage, and even infection. Luckily, earwax can be easily removed using a common kitchen ingredient, olive oil!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Remove Earwax with Olive Oil
Step 1. Do not use olive oil if your ear is injured
While olive oil is almost always safe for healthy people, certain conditions and injuries can make your ears sensitive to this oil. Consult a doctor before taking any action if you have any of the problems below.
- Perforated eardrum
- Frequent ear infections
- Hearing loss in the right or left ear
- Mastoid cavity having problems
- Any conditions that make you have to keep your ears dry.
Step 2. Warm the olive oil
The olive oil will help soften the waxy layer inside the ear so it can come out on its own easily. However, before putting oil on your ear, warm it up to body temperature (approximately 37°C). This is the temperature in the inner ear, and olive oil will feel more comfortable if it is at the same temperature. Warm 2 to 3 tablespoons of virgin olive oil.
- Do not let the olive oil is too hot because it can damage your eardrums.
- Keep in mind that while olive oil is a commonly used option, it is not the only option. You can also safely use glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, or baby oil.
Step 3. Add essential oil if desired
Blockages in the ear can also trap bacteria, which can lead to ear infections. Some people prefer to add essential oils that have antibacterial properties to get rid of any bacteria that may be present due to the blockage. However, olive oil alone has been shown to be effective at breaking down blockages. Test a drop or two of the essential oil on the skin to check for irritation or not before placing it on the ear. Add about 4 drops of warm olive oil. Some essential oil options include:
- Garlic oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Lavender oil (safe for children)
- Oregano oil
- St. John's wort
Step 4. Put the mixture into the eye dropper
Once the olive oil is mixed with the essential oil of your choice, put the mixture in an eye dropper. This will help you to drip the right amount of the mixture, and is easier to do than pouring olive oil into your ear.
Step 5. Put two drops of the solution into the ear
You can give a few drops that will seep into the earwax instead of filling the ear with oil. To avoid spilling the oil, tilt your head for five to ten minutes.
Place a tissue near your ear to keep the oil from seeping out (if any) when you hold your head up
Step 6. Repeat the process two to three times a day
The use of this olive oil will not work if it is only applied once. Try to repeat it two to three times a day for about 3 to 5 days. This is enough to dissolve and break the blockage.
Step 7. Try running water into your ear
While olive oil may be able to soften the blockage, some cases will require additional action to loosen it. If needed, run water over the blocked ear as an additional step. Using a bulb syringe, tilt your head and gently squirt warm water into the blocked ear canal.
- Do it very gently because the spray with too much pressure can damage the eardrum.
- For best results, you can pull your ear up and back to help straighten the ear canal.
- The doctor can also drain water into your ear. Doctors have a safer method with a device that can spray water with the right pressure so as not to damage the ear.
Step 8. Go to the doctor
Go to the doctor if running water into the ear doesn't help and you can't seem to soften the blockage. Your doctor will use several methods to safely remove the blockage. The doctor can also examine your ear and give a proper diagnosis. Maybe the main problem you are experiencing is not earwax blockage. Other causes of clogged ears include:
- Sinusitis - inflammation of the sinuses
- Meniere's disease - an inner ear disorder accompanied by balance and hearing problems
- Cholesteatoma - a cyst that grows in the middle ear
- Acoustic neuroma - a tumor that attacks the acoustic (hearing) nerve
- Infections caused by fungi
- Serous otitis media (serous otitis media) - infection of the middle ear
- Temporomandibular joint or TMJ (temporomandibular junction) dysfunction
Method 2 of 2: Performing Additional Steps
Step 1. Balance the pressure in your ears
The sensation of ear pressure is often not due to a blockage, but due to malfunctioning of the eustachian tube in the middle ear. To equalize the pressure in the ear, force the tube open with the following easy steps:
- Evaporate
- Chew
- Swallow
- Exhale through the nose while pinching the nostrils
- Common causes that make the eustachian tube malfunction include the flu, colds, changes in altitude, and exposure to air pollutants such as cigarette smoke.
Step 2. Don't run out of fluids
If your sinuses are blocked causing ear pressure, reduce the pressure by drinking plenty of fluids. Fluids help loosen mucus that causes pressure to build up. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water every day.
Step 3. Sleep with your head elevated
Add a pillow and keep your head high to make it easier for mucus in your sinuses to escape. This can reduce pressure in the ear.
Step 4. Put a warm compress on the ear
Warm a towel and place it on your ear for a few minutes. You can also place the cup on top of the towel covering your ear so that the heat from the towel is more concentrated on the ear.
Step 5. Take a warm bath
If the ear pressure is due to blocked sinuses, try taking a hot, steamy shower. This can help loosen and remove mucus that is blocking the sinuses, thereby reducing pressure in the ear.
Step 6. Take medication without a doctor's prescription
Depending on the specific cause, you can buy a variety of over-the-counter medications to help reduce ear pressure. Some of the commonly used options include:
- Antihistamines - If the pressure in your ears is caused by congestion from environmental or seasonal allergies, take an antihistamine to help relieve the symptoms.
- Decongestants - If the pressure is due to congestion caused by a cold or flu, take cold and flu medications that contain a decongestant to help relieve the symptoms that are causing pressure in the ears.
- Cerumenolytic - Basically this product acts in the same way as olive oil which is used to soften blockages when pressure in the ear is caused by earwax.
Step 7. Go to the doctor
Go to the doctor immediately if the pressure in the ear causes pain and the methods in this article can not relieve the symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose the exact cause of pressure in your ear and determine the right treatment plan for your case.
Tips
- Go to the doctor if there is no improvement in your earwax. Doctors have special equipment to remove excess earwax, including a mini suction device that acts like a vacuum cleaner.
- Don't leave earwax buildup unattended. If the wax has completely blocked the canal leading to the eardrum, the difference in air pressure inside the head can cause a painful rupture of the eardrum.
Warning
- Do not use a cotton swab (or any object) to remove earwax. This can actually push the wax deeper into the ear and can also rupture the eardrum.
- Do not use this method if your eardrum is ruptured or torn.
- Make sure you have warmed up the olive oil. Test it by putting a drop or two of the oil on your arm to make sure it's not too cold or too hot.
