Cotton swabs may seem harmless enough, but they can be dangerous when used to clean your ears. Although some people swear by using cotton swabs to remove excess wax and debris from their ear canals, medical experts will warn you not to try it. They have seen many catastrophes resulting from using cotton swabs. From punctured eardrums to super impacted wax, there are many negative consequences associated with “do-it-yourself” ear cleaning.
There are several items that people use to clean their ears. Some of the most interesting seen in doctors’ offices include:
- Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
- Hair pins
- Tweezers
- Pens and pencils
- Straws
- Paper clips
- Toys
While this is only a partial list, it’s important to realize nothing should be placed inside the ear to remove dirt and debris. This is dangerous and could cause hearing loss or a damaged ear canal or eardrum.
The ear canal has specialized cells that produce cerumen, commonly known as ear wax. Ear wax accumulates much faster for some people than others. This can lead to wax build-up that causes decreased ability to hear and in some instances, pain. As an easy way to avoid seeing a medical professional, many folks resort to using swabs to remove the excess wax, causing more harm than good.
The eardrum is easily reached with a swab. Because the eardrum is so delicate, it can be easily ruptured by using even the gentlest pressure when using a swab. Ask anyone who has experienced a punctured eardrum – it isn’t a pleasant experience. The pain is severe and the ear may also leak a clear fluid. While a punctured eardrum will heal, it can take a while and can even lead toco.
Earwax isn’t inherently dirty.
It is important to recognize that earwax, or cerumen, is produced naturally by glands in your ears and it is healthy to have a normal amount of wax present in the ear. With its antibacterial properties, the wax serves as part of your body’s defense system, cleaning and lubricating the canals of your ears.
The reality is that you should not stick anything in your ear canals.
There is a very real danger of damaging your ear drum. More commonly, people will simply push excess wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to blockages and impaired hearing.
Cotton swabs are not safe to clean your ears with.
Many people are unaware that doctors and healthcare professionals have been trying to stop people from cleaning their ears with cotton swabs for years.
Before you know how to clean your ears, it’s important to know when to clean your ears.
For the most part, ears clean themselves by cycling wax and dirt out towards the ear openings. Some people may never need to clean their ears — genetics will largely determine this. In some people, wax will build up, though. It can become unsightly and uncomfortable and then it becomes important to clean your ears, but safety must be considered. So if you can’t use a cotton swab, then what? (If you’re concerned with the volume of wax or you ever feel pain or an ache in your ear, you should seek a doctor immediately).