Use of Ear Candles

Ear candles are an alternative health practice intended to clear the ear of excess ear wax. The ear candle is placed into the ear and burned to supposedly draw out the wax. Medical opinion does not support the use of ear candles, as it can in fact be dangerous to the ears.

Identification

An ear candle is made with a thick layer of paraffin wax or beeswax that is formed around a stiff material like paper or cotton fabric. The centers of ear candles are hollow.

Function

One end of an ear candle is placed into the ear canal and fire is applied to the other end to make the ear candle burn. The ear candle is removed before the burning area gets too close to the ear.

Significance

The burning ear candle is supposed to create a vacuum that draws the excess ear wax into the center of the ear candle. Once the ear candle is removed from the ear, the ear candle is cut open to reveal the debris inside that is said to come from the ear.

However, it has been noted by some users of ear candles that cutting open the candle before burning it reveals an ear wax-like substance already there -- so the claim that ear wax is removed may be a hoax.

Misconceptions

An ear candle is not capable of actually producing a vacuum. Doing so would actually damage the ear instead of removing ear wax. The heat of the candle may help loosen ear wax, but it does not remove the wax.

Warning

Ear candling can damage the ears and the surrounding skin if the hot wax drips down from the ear candle. There have been injuries to the ear drum that were caused by hot wax.

References

• The Dangers of Ear Candling

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