Earwax is, well, not particularly attractive. So it’s no wonder that most people regularly use cotton swabs and the like. But this is exactly where the dog is buried! Unwanted earwax is more important for healthy ears than you think. We tell you which dangerous mistakes you should better avoid in the future – and how to clean your ears properly.
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Table of Contents
Earwax – what is it actually?
Earwax is made up of various components such as hair, dead skin cells and dust. The sticky substance fulfills important functions in the ear and is by no means just dirt that needs to be cleaned up. Rather, earwax is the “garbage disposal” for the ear, so to speak, which keeps bacteria and the like away from the inner ear. In addition, the lard cares for the ears, protects and moistens the auditory canal.
You make these mistakes when cleaning your ears
1. Cleaning your ears too often
In fact, most people rarely or never need to clean their ears – the ear cleans itself! The small cilia in the ear canal transport the excess wax in the direction of the auricle. Everything that is still IN the ear should stay right there. So wait until the next time you clean your ears, until the earwax dissolves by itself and reaches the outer ear. Then you can remove it with a washcloth or cotton pad.
2. Clean ears with cotton swabs
Let’s get down to the most popular mistake of all – using cotton swabs. They have nothing to do with their ears. Cotton swabs can cause painful injuries in the ear and in the worst case, the cotton can come loose and get stuck in the ear. In addition, the earwax is usually pushed further into the ear with cotton swabs.
3. The use of ear candles
Some people swear by so-called ear candles when cleaning their ears. A whimsical technique that involves putting a candle in your ear to soften the earwax. The vacuum effect created by the heat of the flame is intended to loosen earwax and then pull it out of the ear. However, using an ear candle comes with a lot of dangers. For example, dripping wax can flow into the ear canal, clog the ear or even cause burns.
4. Flush the ears on your own
Rinsing your ears is generally a safe method. Nevertheless, you should never do this on your own – an ear, nose and throat doctor is the better contact person. Even this method is not without risks. The water pressure can injure the eardrum, for example. If the water temperature is too high, it can also disrupt the organ of equilibrium.
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How to properly clean your ears
As already mentioned, it is usually sufficient to only clean the part of the ear that is visible from the outside – everything else is regulated by the ear itself. If you find earwax in your auricle, you can simply grab a washcloth or cotton pad and remove the wax with lukewarm water. If you use cotton swabs, please only use them in the earpiece.
What to do if earwax becomes a problem?
If the ear no longer cleans itself and produces a lot of earwax, a plug can form which, in the worst case, makes hearing difficult. This mostly affects older people. Improper cleaning of your ears can also lead to a blocked ear canal. In this case, it is better to have earwax removed by an ear, nose and throat doctor. The same applies if you have a particularly narrow ear canal or your eardrum is damaged.