We all have ear wax, produced by small glands in the external ear canal. Ear wax helps protect your ear’s delicate lining from dirt, dust, and anything else that makes its way inside. Typically, ear wax simply dries up and falls out of the ear, along with whatever it may have trapped.
There’s some disagreement as to whether people should fuss with trying to extract ear wax. A doctor once told me, “Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear!” But some people produce more ear wax than others, and some have very narrow external ear canals, making it difficult for wax to be removed. In some cases, wax buildup can compromise hearing – or increase risk of ear infections if water gets trapped behind the wax and is allowed to fester.
Ironically, trying to remove ear wax with cotton-tip swabs, or other devices like the edge of a rolled up napkin, can be a common cause of ear wax impaction. And items often used in the ear, such as ear buds and hearing aids, can also cause ear wax to be moved deeper into the canal, which in turn can result in impacted ear wax. Symptoms of ear wax impaction include dizziness, ear pain, ringing in the ear, decreased hearing, itching or drainage from the ear canal, and a plugged or “full” sensation in the ear. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a thorough evaluation.
What should you do to keep your ear canals clear of wax? In most cases, nothing. However, if you suffer from chronic ear wax buildup or impaction, the following suggestions may be helpful. (Refrain from using these products if you have an active ear infection.)
1. Similasan Ear Wax Relief
This is a homeopathic solution to help soften, loosen and remove ear wax.To use it, tilt your head to the side, place two to three drops in the affected ear, and let the drops stay in the ear for several minutes before righting your head. Repeat this twice daily for up to three days. According to homeopathic principles, the ingredients in this product can help with symptoms of a clogged sensation in ear, ringing in the ear and itching and dry skin of the ear canal.
2. Debrox
A mixture of glycerine and carbomide peroxide 6.5 percent, this product may helps to soften ear wax and allow your body to expel it naturally.To use Debrox, tilt your head sideways, place five to ten drops into your ear canal and let the drops stay in the ear for a few minutes, Us this product for up to four days at a time.
3. Kyrosol Ear Wax Removal Kit
After using the ear wax softeners described above, you can use this ear irrigation kit to help remove excess wax buildup. It contains ten pipettes filled with glycerine, sodium carbonate and water. Before using this product, be sure to have a thorough assessment from your doctor. You should refrain from using it if you have an active infection, a perforated ear drum, symptoms of dizziness, or ear tubes in your ears. This product should not be used on infants or children. You can use it for up to three days, and once the problem is resolved it can be repeated twice a month for prevention.
If you have an ear wax problem and these solutions don’t resolve it, be sure to see your doctor. Note that the popular fad of ear candling is not a solution for treating chronic ear wax buildup. According to the American Academy of Audiology, “Ear candling is ineffective and potentially dangerous and we do not recommend it at any time for any reason.” Their website provides many questions and answers on the topic of ear candling.
