How to Remove Excessive Ear Wax
The type and amount of ear wax a person produces is as individual as the person. Some people produce ear wax that's more on the wet side and others produce ear wax that's dry. Ear wax is necessary to the health and condition of the ear but when too much ear wax is produced and the ear becomes clogged, it can affect hearing and cause discomfort.
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Things You'll Need
- Olive oil
- Eye dropper
- Clean towels
- Rubber syringe
- Cotton swabs
- Rubbing alcohol
Instructions
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An eye dropper ensures that not too much olive oil is placed in the ear. Tilt your head so the affected ear is facing up. Pull the outer ear gently away from the head to open up the ear canal. Drop three drops of room temperature olive oil into the inner ear using an eye dropper.
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2
Olive oil is effective for removing ear wax and safe to use. Tilt the head for three to five minutes to allow the olive oil to run down the ear canal and soften excessive ear wax. Wipe away excess olive oil from the outside of the ear using a clean cloth. Olive oil naturally loosens ear wax, making it easier to remove from inside the ear.
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3
Pour room temperature water into a rubber syringe. Tilt the head again with the affected ear facing up. Squirt the water into the ear, slowly, so small bits of ear wax will loosen and work their way out of the ear.
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4
Turn the head so the affected ear is facing the floor. Allow the ear wax to loosen and move through the ear canal. Use cotton swabs to remove ear wax that's reached the opening of the ear.
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Dry the inside of the ear to ensure infection doesn't develop due to water or moisture in the ear. Place three drops of rubbing alcohol in the eye dropper and drop into the ear.
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Tilt the head so the ear is facing up for a minute and allow the rubbing alcohol to work its way through the ear canal. Then tilt the ear toward the floor for a moment to ensure the rubbing alcohol travels out of the ear. Dry the inside and outside of the ear with a clean towel.
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Tips & Warnings
Some ear wax in the ear is important to the health of the ear. Do not remove all ear wax or use these ear wax removal steps excessively.
See a doctor for continual ear wax problems.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit ear image by Connfetti from Fotolia.com medicine dropper image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com Bottle of Olive Oil on Table image by kellykramer from Fotolia.com
