Although cerumen, or earwax as it is often called, is a natural substance that can help protect the ear and ear canal, when it accumulates, this buildup can interfere with hearing or make you feel uncomfortable. If you experience severe symptoms such as ringing in your ears, difficulty hearing, or dizziness, see your doctor as you may have an ear infection or other serious problem. However, to treat ears with simple steps, you can use ingredients that are safe for the ears such as saline solution, hydrogen peroxide, or mineral oil. Whatever you do, be sure to gently treat the ear so the problem doesn't get worse.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning Ears with Solution
Step 1. Rinse the ear with saline solution
The saline rinse is effective and gentle enough to remove wax from inside the ear. Simply moisten a cotton ball with this solution then tilt your head so that the affected ear is facing upwards. After that, squeeze a cotton ball to put a few drops of saline solution into the ear. Continue to tilt your head for 1 minute so the saline solution can flow in, then tilt your head the other way around to remove the solution.
- Gently dry the outer ear with a towel when you're done.
- You can buy a ready-to-use saline solution at a pharmacy or drug store, or make your own by mixing 4 cups (1000 ml) of distilled water with 2 tablespoons (about 10 grams) of non-iodized salt. You can use tap water instead of distilled water. However, you should boil the tap water for at least 20 minutes and allow it to cool before using it.
- If your earwax is hard and solid, you may need to soften it first with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, baby oil, or commercial ear wax.
Tip:
use water with a temperature close to body temperature. Using water that is colder or warmer than your body can cause vertigo.
Step 2. Soften the hardened earwax with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has the extra benefit of dissolving hardened earwax. To clean your ears, dip a clean cotton ball in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide (1:1), or suck out a few drops of this solution with a pipette. Tilt your head up and pour 3-5 drops of the solution into your ear, wait 5 minutes then tilt your head down to remove it.
- You may still need to rinse your ear with plain water or saline afterward.
- You can use this solution 2-3 times a day for a maximum of 1 week. If you experience ear pain or irritation, stop this treatment and contact your doctor.
Step 3. Try mineral oil or baby oil instead of hydrogen peroxide
Much like hydrogen peroxide, baby oil or mineral oil can help soften hardened earwax to make it easier to remove. Use a dropper to pour 2-3 drops of oil into the ear and then point that side of the ear up for 2-3 minutes so the oil can soak in. When you're done, tilt your head the other way to remove the oil and earwax.
- You can also use glycerin in the same way.
- Try using oil to soften the earwax before rinsing the ear with saline.
Step 4. Use alcohol and white vinegar to dry the ear moisture
A mixture of alcohol and white vinegar can help clean and reduce ear moisture, which can cause irritation and infection. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of white vinegar with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of liquid alcohol in a clean cup. Use a dropper to suck up and pour 6-8 drops of this solution into the tilted ear. Allow the solution to drain into the ear canal then tilt your head in the opposite direction to remove it.
If your ear moisture problem is chronic, you can use this solution twice a week for a few months if recommended by your doctor. However, stop this treatment and consult a doctor if you experience irritation or bleeding
Method 2 of 3: Undergoing Medical Examination and Treatment
Step 1. See a doctor if you experience symptoms of earwax blockage
If you suspect you have a lot of wax in your ears, make an appointment with your doctor. Not only will your doctor be able to remove this waste safely, but they will also be able to make sure that your symptoms are not caused by a more serious illness. See a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Earache
- Sensation of blockage or fullness in the ear
- Hard to hear
- Ears ringing
- Dizzy
- Cough that is not caused by a cold or other illness.
Do you know?
Hearing aids can stimulate the production of earwax, whereas earwax can damage hearing aids over time. If you use a hearing aid, visit your doctor regularly to check for earwax deposits.
Step 2. Ask your doctor to make sure you don't have an infection or other underlying disease
If you have an ear infection or ear injury that is causing your symptoms, you should seek proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent the problem from getting worse. In addition, infections or other problems with the ear (such as an eardrum injury) can make ear cleaning treatments dangerous.
- If you have an ear infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help treat it. You should also not put liquids or objects (such as earplugs) into the infected ear unless directed by a doctor.
- Do not attempt to clear earwax yourself if you have an eardrum injury or an object is blocked in your ear.
Step 3. Discuss earwax removal treatments at the doctor's office
If you have a lot of wax in your ear and you don't want to try to clean it yourself, your doctor can prescribe a procedure to clean it at the clinic. Ask your doctor to remove your earwax using a curette (a curved instrument designed specifically to remove wax from inside the ear) or a warm water rinse.
Your doctor may also prescribe ear drops to help remove wax from your ear. Follow the instructions for using this product carefully as it can irritate the eardrum and ear canal if not used properly
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Common Mistakes
Step 1. Only use a cotton swab to clean the outer side of the ear
Earplugs may be used on the outer side of the ear to remove dirt on the surface. However, do not use this tool to clean the ear canal. The tissue in the ear canal is very fragile. Damage is very easy if the tissue near the tympanic membrane or eardrum is hit.
Ear plugs can also actually push earwax deeper into the ear, potentially causing blockage and irritation, or damaging the ear
Step 2. Avoid ear wax
In this technique known as ear candling, the ear is cleaned with a lit cone-shaped candle. This technique aims to create a vacuum that will make dirt and cerumen out of the ear. Apart from being ineffective, ear wax can also cause a variety of ear injuries and problems, such as:
- Ear bleeding
- Eardrum perforation
- Burns to the face, hair, scalp, or ears.
Warning:
Similar to earplugs that are not used properly, ear wax can also push wax further into the ear canal and eventually cause blockages.
Step 3. Do not spray any liquid vigorously towards the ear
Doctors may do this, but you should not follow it. Fluid pushed into the ear canal can flow across the tympanic membrane and cause ear infections or even damage the inner ear.
- When rinsing the ear, simply use a dropper, cotton ball, or syringe to slowly introduce the liquid drop by drop.
- Never put any fluid into the ear if you have perforated the eardrum or had a tube inserted into your ear through surgery.
Tips
- Only use ear drops if recommended or prescribed by a doctor.
- Do not push the earplug far beyond the small opening in the ear canal. Damage to the eardrum can occur if earwax or earplugs are pushed too deep.
- If your ears still feel full of wax even after you've done a whole week of home remedies, talk to your doctor.
- Do not put your fingers in your ear because it can carry bacteria that increase the risk of infection.
