How to Stop Earwax Buildup
Earwax is a natural accumulation of sweat, skin, hair, dirt and debris combined with a secretion from glands located inside the ear canal. While earwax is normal and is needed to protect dirt and debris from affecting the ear drum, there are things you can do to prevent an excessive buildup of earwax. When earwax has been allowed to build up or becomes impacted deep in your ear canal, you can experience dizziness or feel as if you are not hearing properly. Controlling or minimizing the buildup of wax can help minimize these side effects.
Instructions
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Stop using cotton-tipped swabs. Using cotton swabs often pushes the wax back into the ear canal causing the ear wax to become impacted. If you insist on using cotton swabs, only use them in the very outer ear and never insert it deep into the ear canal.
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According to Jan Nissl, a registered nurse, on the revolutionhealth website, put two drops of either mineral oil, glycerin, baby oil or hydrogen peroxide into your ear canal. Do this twice a day for up to five days. Warm the item of your choice to body temperature. Putting cold fluid into your ear may cause pain.
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3
Prepare some clean, room temperature water to use for earwax removal. Fill the syringe with the water and insert into your ear canal. Gently depress the syringe to push the water into your ear canal. This will begin to flush out the ear canal. Hold the basin under your ear to collect the water and wax as it flows from your ear. Repeat the process until you are not seeing wax fall into the basin. According to the Ear, Nose & Throat Center in Littleton, Colorado, this should remove the wax.
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See a physician if your ears do not feel better, as he can use tools to remove additional wax.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not put anything into your ear if you are having pain or discharge. See a physician instead.
References
- Photo Credit ear image by Connfetti from Fotolia.com
