I am sure we have all heard that cotton buds should not be used to clean the inside of our ears; however we still go ahead to do just that when we think our ears are in need of some cleaning.
Well, they aren’t just rumors. Cotton buds can be very harmful for your ears and should never be used to clean the inside of your ears. Here are some reasons why you should break that habit today:
Cotton bud can damage your ear
I know it may seem like cotton buds are perfectly shaped to fit right into your ears and it can feel good to use them to get rid of the wax but if you accidentally bump it or push it to deep, it can perforate your ear drums and in severe cases, can lead to permanent loss of hearing. Most people that use cotton buds say they are very careful about how deep they insert them; however, all it takes is one accident.
Earwax impaction
Using cotton buds to clean out the wax in your ears actually has the opposite effect. When you use cotton buds inside your ears, what you are actually doing is pushing the ear wax deeper inside your ear rather than removing it. This can cause the wax to build up and can cause unpleasant symptoms such as pain or muffled hearing.
Earwax is vital for your ears
Your ears naturally produce earwax and naturally clean them out themselves. This means most of the time, you actually do not need to clean the wax in your ears. In fact, removing this wax can leave your ears dry and itchy. The only exception is when your ears feel blocked or painful in which case you may need to contact a professional to safely clean out any build up of wax.
So how should I clean my ears?
The safest way to clean your ears is by gently washing your outer ear with warm water and soap in the shower. While you are in the shower, enough of this warm water will enter your ear canal and soften the wax making it easy to rinse off and remove any excess. Do not actively tilt your head for water to pour directly into your ear.
Olive oil drops: you can place two to three drops of olive oil in your ears for three days consecutively and this should be enough to soften the wax and allow it to clear out naturally. You can also ask your pharmacist about over the counter ear drops.
See a doctor: if olive oil or ear drops do not work, then see a doctor to have your ears examined and the ear wax removed safely using microsuction.
In conclusion, you should never insert any foreign object into your ears in an attempt to clean them and this includes cotton buds. The next time you feel tempted to reach for a cotton bud, remember, all it takes is one accident.
