Overview of Ear Wax
Ear Wax is a yellowish, gray, and orange color substance in the ear canal to protect the eardrum from bacteria, fungi, water, and insects. Ear wax is medically known as Cerumen and major components of earwax are saturated fats, squalene, cholesterol, unsaturated fats. Generally, Ear canal has self-cleaning properties which mean excess ear wax finds its own way of the canal and doesn’t require any artificial cleaning. However, in some cases, excess ear wax doesn’t come out of the canal and create temporary hearing loss followed by serious discomforts such as pain, irritation, and pus in the ear canal. Artificial cleaning such as earbuds, ear cleaning sticks push the ear wax deep inside the ear canal and blocking the eardrum passage to function or react to the sound.
Causes of excess Ear Wax
Ear Wax can be produced excess in some humans due to numerous reasons. It can create severe discomfort if not treated or taken out of the ear canal. We have specified some of the reported causes of excess ear wax production underneath:
- Use of cotton buds to clean the ear canal as you tend to push ear wax deep inside the ear canal which blocks the passage and create discomfort in the ear
- Narrow or partially formed ear canals due to injury or born defects which can cause blockage in the ear canal as earwax doesn’t have excess space to move out of the canal on its own
- Excessive use of earplugs can be one of the reasons of ear blockage due to ear canal doesn’t get enough space to clean the ear wax
- Ear infections can produce excess ear wax due to pus or any other infected substance in the canal which can block the passage
- The natural tendency of dry ear wax which gets difficulty in finding its way out of the ear canal
Symptoms of excess Ear Wax
Excess ear wax has numerous symptoms as reported however, it may vary from person to person. We have some of the common symptoms underneath:
- Ear pain
- Temporary hearing loss
- Fullness or stuffed feeling in the ear
- Itching
- Ringing in the ear
- Dizziness
- Headache
Remedies to cleanse the excess Ear Wax
Ear wax can be cleaned easily with home remedies and we have specified the best remedies underneath:
- Oil – You can use baby oil, coconut oil, mineral oil, and glycerin to soften the wax in the ear canal. Use an eyedropper to apply a few drops of the oil and next day use rubber-bulb syringe to squirt warm water in the ear canal. Tilt your head towards the side and let water comes out of the ear. Once dried clean your ear outer space with a cotton cloth. Repeat the same procedure to clean the other ear
- Hydrogen Peroxide – Take 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide and mix it with regular water in equal portion. Using dropper squirts 2 drops of the mixture in the ear canal and wait for 2 minutes to let it create bubbles or froth in the ear canal. Tilt your heads sideways to flush out the mixture from the canal. Now clean the outer area of the ear with the cotton cloth to avoid irritation
- Alcohol – It is very effective and easy way of cleaning ear wax. You can mix white vinegar for better results. Take 5 ml of alcohol and 5 ml of vinegar to create a solution. Using a dropper squirt 1 ml of the solution in the ear canal and wait for 5 minutes. Tilt your head sideways to cleanse the ear with the solution
- Saltwater – Add 1 tsp of raw salt in lukewarm water. Using a dropper squirt 2 drops of the solution in the ear to cleanse the accumulated wax. Tilt your head to flush out the solution from the ear canal and clean the outer area of the ear with a cotton cloth
- Baking soda – Add 1 tsp of baking soda in lukewarm water. Stir the solution till baking soda is completely dissolved. Using a dropper squirt 2 drops of the solution in the ear canal to cleanse. Dry off the solution from the outer area of the ear with a cotton cloth
- Apple Cider Vinegar – ACV can be used to cleanse ear wax. Mix 1 tsp of ACV in lukewarm water to make a solution. Using a dropper squirt 2 drops in the ear canal and leave it for 2 minutes then tilt your head to flush out the solution from the ear canal. The clean outer area of the ear with a cotton cloth
**Above mentioned remedies should be used under supervision.
Side effects of Ear Wax cleansing at home
It is advisable to take some precaution while cleaning ear wax using home remedies else you will damage the ear and need medical attention on priority. We have specified some of the side effects of cleaning ear wax at home underneath:
- Eardrum damage
- Otitis externa
- Damage to the external canal
- Pain
- Deafness
- Tinnitus
- Headache
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor it is intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please consult a specialist for the advice.