You typically do not need to remove earwax, though some home remedies, including irrigation, may help reduce buildup. Removing earwax may cause side effects, including damage to the ear canal.
Earwax (cerumen) is produced in our ear canals. Its presence is usually natural and healthy. Sometimes, though, earwax buildup may be uncomfortable, unsightly, and, in some cases, temporarily affect your hearing.
Although over-the-counter earwax drainage products are available for purchase, several household items can also be used to clear your outer ear canals of excess wax.
Read on to learn about safe earwax removal home remedies and what to avoid.
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But the thing is, you don’t really need to clean earwax out of your ears. Earwax isn’t dirt. Earwax serves an important purpose: lubricating and protecting your ears. It even helps reduce your risk of ear infections since it has antibacterial properties.
The risks of removing earwax can outweigh the potential benefits. Cleaning out earwax with a cotton swab can damage or irritate the ear canal or even puncture the eardrums.
If you use an object to clean out visible earwax, you may also risk pushing earwax deeper into your ears. Over time, this can lead to earwax impaction (blockages).
You should not attempt to remove ear wax if you have:
- tinnitus
- ear surgery
- an ear infection
- a perforated eardrum
- any other ear complications
In these instances, you should consult with your doctor to help with ear wax removal.
Also, if you feel pain or discomfort at any time during any of these procedures, stop immediately and consult with your doctor.
Baking soda
You can remove earwax at home using baking soda:
- Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 2 ounces of warm water.
- If you have a dropper bottle, pour the solution into it.
- Tilt your head to the side and gently drip 5 to 10 drops of the solution into your ear, 1 drop at a time.
- Leave the solution in the ear for up to 1 hour, then flush with water.
- Do this once a day until the earwax clears up. It may happen within a couple of days. Don’t do this for any longer than 2 weeks.
How to remove ear wax with hydrogen peroxide
You can remove earwax at home using 3% hydrogen peroxide or a 50-50 mixed solution of hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Tilt your head to the side and drip 5 to 10 drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear.
- Keep your head tilted to the side for 5 minutes to allow the peroxide to penetrate the wax.
- Do this once a day for 3 to 14 days.
- After hydrogen peroxide bubbles, it turns into water. To remove the water, you can gently rinse the ear canal with alcohol to dry out the moisture and avoid bacterial growth.
Soften earwax blockages with oil
Earwax is an oil-like substance. Thus, some oils can cause earwax to soften when the two substances come into contact. Proponents of this remedy suggest using the following oils:
- baby oil
- coconut oil
- glycerin
- mineral oil
- olive oil
To use oil for earwax removal:
- If desired, slightly warm your chosen oil and pour it into a dropper bottle. Don’t warm the oil in the microwave. Always test the temperature before putting it in your ear.
- Tilt your head to the side and place a few drops of oil into your ear.
- Keep your head tilted to the side for 5 minutes.
- Repeat once or twice per day.
Irrigation
Sometimes earwax can be dislodged by the light pressure of water flushing:
- Purchase a soft rubber bulb syringe made for ear cleaning, and fill it with warm water.
- Tilt your head to the side with a thick towel or basin below the ear.
- Gently squeeze the bulb so that the warm water shoots into your ear.
- Allow the water to run down into the towel or basin.
- You may even do this over a bowl so that you can see if any visible pieces of earwax fall out.
Irrigation can be combined with any of the methods recommended above. Perform irrigation 5 to 15 minutes after you use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or oil.
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Although earwax removal is often safe to do at home, there are some cases that require the attention of a medical professional. If the above home remedies don’t work for you, contact your doctor.
Do not use the following to remove earwax:
- Small objects: Avoid using small objects such as pen caps or bobby pins to clean out your ears. Many doctors agree with the old saying, “Never put anything in your ear that’s smaller than your elbow.”
- Cotton swabs: Although they may look safe and perfect for your ears, cotton swabs are too small to be used safely inside the ear and could cause damage.
- Ear candles: This technique has received extensive coverage, but there are concerns that it can cause injuries, such as burns and punctured eardrums.
If you feel that you have an earwax problem, your first step is to check with a doctor. They can decide if it’s a condition to address, a symptom of an underlying condition, or something to let your body handle without assistance.
Being overly aggressive with removing wax from your ears can sometimes lead to problems with your hearing. you may also experience ear canals that are itchy, painful, or more prone to infection.
When reviewing your concerns with your doctor, discuss home remedy ideas to see if they’re the correct course of action for your situation.
Your doctor might also recommend a visit with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
