Earwax is meant to protect and lubricate the ears. However, sometimes too much of it accumulates in the ear canal, although the ear is generally able to "self-clean". Symptoms include ear pain, partial or complete loss of hearing, ringing, itching, foul odor, discharge of secretions and a feeling of fullness in the ears. There are several products on the market that are useful for cleaning the ears and removing excess earwax, including drops and liquid solutions, as well as devices that suck and extract dirt residues. In any case, you must never try to remove the ear wax by inserting instruments in the ear canal (such as cotton swabs); instead you have to soften the substance with a few drops of a cleaning solution that you can also prepare at home.
Ingrediants
Oil-based cleanser
- Dropper vial or bottle with dropper cap
- Olive or mineral oil
- Other types of oil, for example St. John's wort, mullein, garlic, etc. (optional)
- Cotton ball (optional)
- Bulb syringe (optional)
Saline solution
- 120 ml of hot water
- 1 teaspoon of salt (sea or table)
- Cotton ball or dropper
- Bulb syringe (optional)
Solution with hydrogen peroxide
- Equal parts hot water and hydrogen peroxide
- Cotton ball or dropper
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare an Oil-Based Cleanser
Step 1. Get a bottle
You can use a dropper vial or a 30ml brown glass bottle with a dropper cap.
Step 2. Fill the container with the oil of your choice
You can use either olive or mineral one.
- This remedy offers the advantage of lubricating the ear canal. Since earwax is basically a wax - a type of semi-solid oil - it dissolves more easily with such a cleanser. Remember the old saying of chemistry which says: "Like dissolves like". This also applies to getting rid of earwax. The best way to dissolve oils and waxes is to use other oils.
- Add a few drops of another oil to the solution. If you also suffer from ear pain, add five drops of mullein oil and three of St. John's wort oil to every 30ml of olive or mineral oil. St. John's wort oil has pain relieving properties, while mullein oil protects the skin of the ear canal and has antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory (relieves pain) and antiviral properties. Consult an experienced doctor before using St. John's wort oil, as it can interact with other prescription medications.
- You can also add garlic oil to the base solution, as it is an antibacterial agent. If you decide for this substance, however, you must reduce the quantity of mullein to three drops and that of St. John's wort to two; at this point, you can instill three drops of that of garlic.
Step 3. Heat the mixture with your hands
The oil must have approximately body temperature if you want to avoid feeling dizzy.
- You can also warm it by placing the vial in very hot water for about five minutes.
- Before you put it in your ears, test it by pouring a few drops on your wrist to make sure it's not hot.
- Do not heat the oil in the microwave, as it is difficult to bring it to a certain temperature evenly with this appliance.
Step 4. Wet a cotton ball with the heated oil and insert it into your ear
- Alternatively, tilt your head and use the dropper to drop a drop or two of hot oil on it.
- When the oil enters the ear, you may experience some chills. It is a completely normal reaction and it passes quickly; probably indicates that the oil should be a little warmer.
Step 5. Keep your head bent for 3-5 minutes
This way, you can be sure that the solution does not drain to the outside. Keep a tissue handy to absorb any leaking material, especially if you used the dropper; then remove the cotton ball, if you have opted for this solution.
You should lie on your side, with your good ear resting on the pillow. In this way, the solution penetrates into the "sick" one without having to strain the neck or keep the head tilted while sitting or standing
Step 6. Repeat the procedure three to five times a day
By doing this, you should be able to get rid of the earwax over time.
- Once the drops are applied, you can proceed with an ear rinse using a bulb syringe. Fill it with normal warm water. After the 3-5 minutes of "soaking" described above, fold your head again and carefully bring the tip of the bulb syringe close to the ear opening. Be careful not to put it inside. Gently spray the water over the opening. Repeat this rinse two to three times. Generally, two or three treatments (oil and water rinse) are enough to get rid of most of the earwax.
- You do not need to do these irrigations if you have diabetes, a perforated eardrum, a trans-tympanic ventilation tube, or a compromised immune system. In all these cases, irrigations should only be performed under medical supervision.
Method 2 of 3: Prepare a Saline Solution
Step 1. Heat 120ml of water
It must be hot but not hot. You can boil it in a saucepan, pour the required amount, and wait until the temperature drops. Alternatively, you can run the one from the faucet to the point where it is warm enough (not lukewarm).
Step 2. Add a teaspoon of salt
Marine is better, but regular tableware is fine too.
The addition of salt is what transforms plain water into saline; in fact, the term "salina" means that it contains salt
Step 3. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture
Then insert it into your ear for three to five minutes.
You can use this remedy even without the cotton ball. Tilt your head and drop a drop or two of the warm solution into your ear using a dropper
Step 4. Keep your head bent for 3-5 minutes
This way, you make sure no liquid spills. Make sure you have a tissue handy to clean up any spills, especially if you used the dropper. So, remove the cotton if you have opted for this method.
Step 5. Repeat the procedure three to five times a day
Over time, you should be able to get rid of all the ear wax.
- The saline solution is able to dissolve ear wax like an oily product. However, you will have to repeat the process a few more times than the oil method, because it does not dissolve ear wax as effectively.
- This "ear soak" phase can be followed by a rinse. Fill a bulb syringe with the saline solution. After three to five minutes of soaking (as described above), fold your head once more and carefully bring the tip of the syringe close to the opening of your ear; then gently spray the solution onto the opening. Repeat the rinse two or three times. Generally, two or three complete treatments (saline solution and water rinse) are enough to remove most of the earwax.
Method 3 of 3: Make a Cleanser with Hydrogen Peroxide
Step 1. Buy 3% hydrogen peroxide
You can find it in the main pharmacies and in many supermarkets.
Step 2. Mix very hot water and hydrogen peroxide in equal parts
Pour a few drops of the mixture onto your wrist to make sure the temperature is correct.
Step 3. Proceed in the same way as described for the oil and brine methods
Use a cotton ball or dropper to pour the liquid into your inner ear. Wait several minutes with your head tilted.
Warnings
- If the symptoms of earwax buildup do not subside after two to three days of home ear cleaning, you should see your doctor. He is able to assess if the cause of your symptoms is indeed excess earwax and effectively remove it.
- Do not use wax cones to clean your ears, as they are associated with various types of damage, including burns, perforations of the eardrum, and even wax dropping into the ear canal. Furthermore, there are no scientific studies that prove the effectiveness of this method. The American FDA has determined that the risk of ear injury is much higher when using these candles than with other methods.
- If you see any discharge, contact your doctor right away. Don't try to clean your ears yourself.
