Cotton swabs ... cleaning ears
this is a loose translation of a valuable medical study written by caroline graham for the new york times, which includes the opinions of several of america’s most renowned doctors on how to protect and clean the ears.
the first piece of advice, which everyone agreed on, was a warning against inserting any solid objects into the ear, even cotton swabs, whether to clean it or to stop itching!
although eardrum perforations are “very rare,” they can be serious, and when they do occur, cotton swabs are often the culprit.
the danger of inserting cotton swabs into the ear lies in the fact that the wax inside is not an enemy to be removed.
this sticky, sometimes crumbly substance, made up of sebum, sweat and dead skin cells, protects the delicate inner ear by preventing irritants such as dirt, dust, bacteria and fungi from entering the ear and helps regulate its moisture.
in addition, earwax helps remove dead skin cells that have fallen from the inner ear. when you shower or move your jaw while talking or chewing, earwax carries dead skin cells from deep within the ear canal to the outer ear, where it is eventually pushed out.
dr. hye oke, an inner ear specialist at columbia university, says that trying to remove earwax with cotton swabs can irritate the delicate skin of the inner ear.
although cotton swabs appear soft, they are actually quite rough, and their roughness can cause the ear to produce more wax to protect the skin, which is now more vulnerable to damage.
these swabs can also push earwax deeper into the ear canal, where it accumulates and causes symptoms such as itching, pain, a feeling of fullness or dizziness.
if the condition worsens, it can also cause hearing loss. an estimated five percent of adults in the united states suffer from earwax buildup or impaction, although it may be more common in older adults or those who wear hearing aids.
people with skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, may also be at greater risk of blockage, as may those with narrow, small or irregularly shaped ear canals.
if you feel your ear is blocked, it is best to see a professional, not to mess with it.
the best way to keep your ears clean and healthy is to leave the earwax alone.
however, if the urge to look inside is strong, especially since the ear is lined with nerve endings, stimulating them can create a pleasurable sensation.
therefore, when cleaning your ear, use a damp washcloth to wipe the auricle or outer part, just as you would wipe any other part of your body.
never clean the inside. you can also try ear drops to aid the natural self-cleaning process. these are available without a prescription and are suitable for those with naturally dry earwax. the drops soften the wax, facilitating its natural removal.
we reiterate the doctors’ advice to completely avoid using any medications to scrape or remove earwax, as this can be dangerous.
they also advise against ear cleaning using the funnel-and-candling method, which involves placing the unlit end of a hollow candle in the ear canal and lighting the other end. this is supposed to generate suction that pulls the earwax out.
however, this method is ineffective and dangerous and can lead to burns. visible wax, which some may consider evidence of the success of this technique, is often simply wax from the candle, not the earwax itself.
