Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Earwax is a natural substance that protects the ears and ear canal. However, earwax can sometimes cause difficulty hearing or discomfort if too much accumulates. You can get rid of earwax, but be careful not to damage the sensitive areas in your ears. The following articles not only help you get rid of earwax safely and effectively, but also avoid dangerous and unwise methods.

Steps

Method 1 of 6: Before starting to get rid of wax

1. 

   Make sure the ear is free of infection before removing the wax. If you have an ear infection, removing excess earwax can cause a rupture of the eardrum. Ironically, earwax actually helps protect the ears from infection. Do not use any method, especially ear wash if you:
   • Had problems with ear washing before
   • Have had a ruptured eardrum
   • A discharge of mucus like pus from the ear

2. 

   
   
   See a doctor if in doubt. Taking or removing earwax from the ear canal may not seem dangerous, but if you don't know how to do it, you can cause damage to the ear. If your ear hurts, don't risk getting rid of earwax. Instead, consult with your doctor about the following methods of getting rid of earwax.

Method 2 of 6: use a saline solution

1. 

   
   
   Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in ½ cup of warm water in a cup, cup, or saucepan. Stir until the salt is dissolved.

2. 

   Dip a cotton ball in the saline solution.

3. 

   
   
   Tilt the head so that the ear wax is facing up. You should tilt your head to the side and sit down to make the saline solution easier.

4. 

   Squeeze a cotton ball soaked in the saline solution to let the salt water run into your ear. You only need to add a few drops and avoid flooding the ear canal.
   • Rely on gravity to let the saline seep through the wax.

5. 

   Tilt your head in the opposite direction and wait for the salt water to drain out.

Method 3 of 6: Use hydrogen peroxide

1. 

   Dissolve water with 3% hydrogen peroxide in a 1: 1 ratio in a cup or cup. There are more powerful types of hydrogen peroxide (over 6%) but it is not a readily available over-the-counter drug. You should only use a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide or a lower concentration.

2. 

   Dip a cotton pad in the hydrogen peroxide solution.

3. 

   Tilt the head so that the ear wax is facing up. You should tilt your head to the side and sit down to make it easier for the depleting of hydrogen peroxide.

4. 

   Squeeze a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide so that hydrogen peroxide flows into your ear. You only need to add a few drops and avoid flooding the ear canal.
   • Rely on gravity to let the hydrogen peroxide seep through the wax. You may feel a little buzzing in your ears as the bubbling hydrogen peroxide sizzles in your ears.

5. 

   Tilt your head in the opposite direction and wait for hydrogen peroxide to drain.

Method 4 of 6: Use vinegar and alcohol

1. 

   Mix white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol in a 1: 1 ratio in a glass or cup. This mixture can effectively treat external ear infections (an infection of the ear canal caused by water retention in the ear after swimming). This is an effective method because alcohol can help the water evaporate.

2. 

   Dip a cotton pad in the vinegar solution.

3. 

   Tilt the head so that the ear wax is facing up. You should tilt your head to the side and sit down to make the small process easier.

4. 

   Squeeze a cotton ball soaked in the vinegar solution to let the vinegar run into your ear. You only need to add a few drops and avoid flooding the ear canal.
   • Rely on gravity to let the vinegar penetrate the wax. You can feel the heat as the alcohol hits your skin and dissolves.

5. 

   Tilt your head in the opposite direction and wait for any remaining solution to drain if necessary.

Method 5 of 6: Use mineral oil or baby oil

1. 

   You can put baby oil or mineral oil directly into the ear. You can suck oil into the dropper.

2. 

   Tilt the head so that the ear wax is facing up. You should tilt your head to the side and sit down to make the dripping process easier.

3. 

   Put 2-5 drops of oil in the ear.

4. 

   Place a cotton ball on your ear to prevent the oil from leaking out. Wait a few minutes.

5. 

   Take out the cotton pad. Tilt your head in the opposite direction to let the oil drain.

6. 

   Use a saline spray or room temperature water to wash your ears.
   • You should use salt water 2 times a week to wash your ears and prevent wax build up. Earwax helps to protect the ears naturally, so you don't need to use salt water to wash your ears every day.

Method 6 of 6: Methods should not apply

1. 

   Do not use a Q-Tip swab deep into the ear. You should only use a Q-Tip to get rid of wax outside the ears and avoid Poke deep into the ear canal. The tissues in the ear canal, especially the tissue near the eardrum, are extremely sensitive, making them susceptible to infection if affected.
   • Another reason that your doctor recommends should not Using a cotton swab to get rid of earwax is a cotton swab that pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal rather than pulling it out. Therefore, do not use Q-Tip.

2. 

   Do not use ear candles. Ear candling is the process of placing a conical device on the ear, lighting a tall candle and relying on the pressure of the candlestick to suck the wax out. At least this is the theory. However, ear candles are often ineffective and even dangerous for the following reasons:
   • Earwax is a sticky substance. The force to pull earwax out of the ear should be large enough and if too large, it can accidentally tear the eardrum. This is because earwax is sticky and is difficult to move.
   • Ear candling also pushes more candle wax into the ear. Instead of taking out earwax, the candle pushes more wax into the ear. This happens because the distance between the candle and the ear is too close and too dangerous to just go through a funnel.
   • Ear candles can be dangerous. Ear candles can cause many health problems as soon as you apply them such as:
     • The air inside the ear can become too hot and cause burns in the inner ear.
     • The candle can inadvertently cause a fire if you are not careful.
     • This method can cause a rupture of the eardrum.

3. 

   Do not use force to spray liquid into the ear. Your doctor can do this but you can't. The fluid pushed into the ear canal can penetrate the eardrum and cause an ear infection. The fluid can affect the eardrum, risking the inner ear.

Advice

• Do not pierce the Q-Tip into the narrow entrance of the ear canal. The eardrum can become damaged if you accidentally push the wax or cotton swab deep into the ear canal.
• DO NOT use any type of cotton swab to remove earwax from the inner ear as it may cause permanent damage to the ear.
• Adding vitamin C regularly in your diet helps to naturally get rid of earwax build up.
• Use ear drops prescribed by your doctor.
• If earwax still accumulates a lot after 1 week of using the above home remedies, see your doctor.

Warning

• Do not use cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears. Cotton swabs can push the ear canal deep into the ear and cause real damage to the ear. In addition, cotton swabs also make earwax harder to handle at first.
• Ear candles can be damaging, so do not use this method to get rid of wax.
• If you have ear pain, fever, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears, don't use these methods to get rid of wax. Instead, you should consult your doctor.
• Be careful when using peroxide to wash your ears. Hydrogen peroxide solution is usually strong and can produce adverse reactions.