How to Prevent Ear Infections With Ear Candles

Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is an alternative medicine technique meant to clean the ear and improve overall health. Because ear candles are believed to bolster the immune system and improve the flow of lymph, they are sometimes used to treat infections and boost the immune system. Skeptics question the efficacy of ear candling; but proponents speak highly of its value. Follow these steps to learn how to prevent ear infections with ear candles.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Ear candles

1. Use ear candles to prevent future ear infections or vacuum out the debris of previous infections. Don't use ear candles to treat current ear infections.

2. See your doctor right away if you suspect that you or your child has an ear infection.

3. Cure your ear infection with conventional medicine like antibiotic ear drops. Once the cure is complete, consider taking measures to prevent future infections. Ear candling may be the cornerstone of your prophylactic measures.

4. Consider using ear candles to prevent other types of infections. Proponents of ear candling consider it a cleansing practice with far-reaching powers. For instance, many people believe it can bolster the immune system or increase the flow of lymph.

5. Learn more about the tradition of ear candling at the "Atlantis Rising" Web site (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Ear candles tend to be very inexpensive.
• Members of the conventional medical community may not embrace the practice of ear candling, even though the tradition has survived centuries.
• Don't use ear candles if you have any injury to the eardrum or the ear canal.
• Visit an ER or doctor immediately if you feel numbness in your extremities.
• Keep in mind that using ear candles requires more than one person. Handling your own candle can mean disaster. Open flames near your face can be very dangerous.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.

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[EarCandleLady]

on 12/18/2008 Alternative therapies require that the individual take responsibility to educate themselves so as to avoid potential problems such as you experienced. It doesn't take a government agency, or doctor, or policeman, or court to make a law to tell me I should not stick a lit piece of wax in my ear without reading up on the subject first. Don't get me wrong, you have suffered, I know that. However, MOST people receive positive benefits from ear candling. It's not the other way around.

[Sharon01]

on 12/1/2008 I have had to have several steroid injections with a very large needle directly into the back of my ear, due to the burn I received from an ear candle. They were extremely painful, and did not fix my injury at all. Not to mention all of the horrible suffering I've had to endure over the past 1-1/2 years. I can't stress it enough, don't use these candles. They are very dangerous

[Sharon01]

on 12/1/2008 WARNING! I used ear candles 1-1/2 years ago, I used them and received a severe burn from the super hot wax falling into my ear canal, I have suffered everyday since and now I find out I require ear surgery to fix the damage that has been done to my ear. If you have problems with your ears then go to a professional doctor. Don't risk pain and suffering like I did.
Oh and I almost forgot, the so called "chimney effect" that "draws out ear wax"-is FALSE you can empty, rinse clean a soda can, put the ear candle in and wrap foil around the opening of the can at the bottom of the candle, light it and let it burn down a few inches, take it out and look at what you have in the bottom of the ear candle- the same brownish red wax that you had when you put it in your ear and let it burn down. They should be outlawed!

[Sharon01]

on 12/1/2008 WARNING! I used ear candles 1-1/2 years ago, I used them and received a severe burn from the super hot wax falling into my ear canal, I have suffered everyday since and now I find out I require ear surgery to fix the damage that has been done to my ear. If you have problems with your ears then go to a professional doctor. Don't risk pain and suffering like I did.
Oh and I almost forgot, the so called "chimney effect" that "draws out ear wax"-is FALSE you can empty, rinse clean a soda can, put the ear candle in and wrap foil around the opening of the can at the bottom of the candle, light it and let it burn down a few inches, take it out and look at what you have in the bottom of the ear candle- the same brownish red wax that you had when you put it in your ear and let it burn down. They should be outlawed!