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People tend to view earwax in a negative light and see it as a sign of uncleanliness because it looks gross. It’s natural to automatically assume that earwax is nasty, after all it’s a bodily fluid that comes out of ears, there’s nothing appealing about it whatsoever.
That’s why people stick all sorts of cleaning solutions, Q-tips, candles, even automatic ear cleaner gadgets into their ears in vain attempts to remove the offensive substance. If you’re guilty of doing any of the aforementioned things you should re-think your ear-care routine because they can easily injure or damage sensitive inner ears.
When anything is stuck into an ear it simply makes them dirtier and increases the odds of developing an ear infection or worse. The most common way people try to clean their ears is with Q-tips but this is wrong, ineffective, and pushes wax further into the ear canal, thereby increasing the potential for build up and blockage. Whatever you do, don’t use Q-tips!
First and foremost, the bad reputation earwax has developed is without merit and based on false information. The yellowish waxy substance is produced naturally by our body and is beneficial to our health in several ways.
It helps protect inner ears from all sorts of nasty stuff like infections, dust, dirt, bacteria and other germs that would otherwise enter them. Furthermore, the wax forms a protective barrier on the surface of the delicate skin in ear canals which prevents it from becoming irritated when water gets inside.
It also moisturizes and keeps that skin from becoming dry, flaky, and itchy. Earwax is produced by tiny hair follicles that line the ear canal. It normally makes its way out of ear openings naturally on its own, but sometimes wax can build up and cause blockage problems.
If you feel that there is a blockage due to wax build up in your ear you can try one of the natural remedies below or see a doctor if the issue is more serious. Please see the video for more information on the topic and keep reading for at home remedies you can try to safely remove earwax.
1) Saline Solution- Dissolve 1 tsp of salt in ½ cup of water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, tilt your head to the side, and allow a couple of drops to fall into your ear. Let the saline work to soften the wax and keep your head to the side for a few minutes before tilting it in the other direction to drain it.
2) Olive Oil- Carefully drip 2-3 drops of olive oil into your ear before going to bed at night and try to sleep on the opposite side. Repeat this process for 3-4 consecutive nights. It helps to softens earwax so that it naturally works its way out of the ear canal on its own.
3) Paraffin Oil- Over a candle flame heat 2-3 tablespoons of paraffin oil so that it’s warm but not hot. Lie still on your side and place a few drops in your ear, wait several minutes, then rinse with warm water. Repeat this for 3 days to help completely dissolve buildups.
4) Vinegar and Alcohol Solution- Mix equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol, dip a cotton ball in the solution and place several drops in your ear. Wait a few minutes then drain.
5) Hydrogen Peroxide- Mix equal parts water with 3% hydrogen peroxide and drip a few drops in your ear before gently shake your head to work it through the canal. Leave in for a few minutes then tilt your head to the side and drain it out.
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