Earwax is a natural substance produced in the ear canals to keep the ears dry and protect them from bacteria and infections. In fact, normal activities such as chewing and talking facilitate over time the flaking and elimination of excess ear wax, which makes cleaning the ears a fundamentally aesthetic operation. By cleaning your ears with hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) and taking care of their health, you will keep them clean, removing any excess earwax that could compromise your hearing.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Perform a Hydrogen Peroxide Cleansing
Step 1. Arrange for ear cleaning arrangements
You will need to lie down during the operation, so it is important to collect everything you need and keep it handy. Spread a towel on the shelf you will rest your head on. Then, at a distance of about 30 cm, place a small bowl of 3% hydrogen peroxide, a dropper and a towel.
Step 2. Lie on your back, with your head tilted to the side and resting on the towel you placed
Tilt your head so that the ear you would like to clean faces the ceiling.
Step 3. Put the towel on your shoulder
Before starting to clean, place the towel over your shoulder at the ear you intend to treat. This towel will prevent your clothes from getting stained and will absorb the solution used to wash the ear.
You could also place a piece of plastic under the towel before you start so your clothes and shelf don't get dirty
Step 4. Take 1-3 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide and drop the drops into the ear canal
You may feel fizzing, which is perfectly normal. If you feel a little ticklish, try to relax. Let the solution work, keeping the ear pointing up for 3-4 minutes.
- If it helps, you can pull the top edge of the ear to open up the ear canal more as you put in the drops.
- Do not push the dropper into the ear canal while administering the drops. The ear canal is sensitive and easily damaged by excessive pressure.
Step 5. Drain the ear on the towel
When the time comes, take the towel over your shoulder and press it against your ear. Sit up with your head tilted on the towel to let the solution and excess ear wax escape, which should now be visible. Dry the outside of your ear with a towel if needed.
Repeat the cleaning process on the other ear
Step 6. Use the shower method when time is short
Put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in each ear 10 minutes before taking a shower. You won't have to lie down. The hydrogen peroxide will soften the ear wax, which will be removed as you shower as usual. When you dry, pat the outside of your ear with a clean towel.
Part 2 of 2: Precautions
Step 1. In the beginning, clean your ears with hydrogen peroxide twice a week
Earwax is normal and actually has antibacterial properties that keep your ears healthy. For most people with normal ear wax production, it is not necessary to clean their ears more than twice a week.
- After a twice a week cleaning cycle for two weeks, move on to cleaning your ears twice a month and then, after two months, just clean them twice a year.
- Talk to your doctor about ear cleaning. Cleaning your ears too often can be risky, so discuss with your doctor why you would like to clean your ears regularly.
- Ask your doctor about ear cleaning kits, such as the Debrox.
Step 2. Avoid using Q-tips in your ears
Normally, ear wax covers a third of the outside of the ear canal, and Q-tips actually push what should come out deeper. Over time, this leads to blockages near the eardrum, caused by the compacted ear wax, which actually interfere with hearing.
Likewise, doctors warn against using other common ear cleaning items, such as hairpins
Step 3. Avoid cleaning with hydrogen peroxide if you have ventilation pipes
If you have had surgery to insert ventilation tubes, do not use hydrogen peroxide to clean your ears. Ventilation tubes help heal recurring ear infections by creating a permanent hole through the eardrum to ensure air enters the middle ear. Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide would make the solution penetrate inside the middle ear, facilitating the onset of complications or infections.
If you have ventilation tubes, use a tissue to clean your ears and remove any excess earwax that gets to the entrance to your ear canal. Avoid getting water in your ears altogether
Step 4. See your doctor if you feel ear pain or discharge
While earwax is normal, excessive earwax production associated with ear pain or unusual-looking secretions requires a medical examination. Even a hot ear to the touch, perhaps accompanied by fever, is a good reason to make an appointment.
