Home remedies for ear wax removal

The easiest and simplest way of removing ear wax from the outer ear canal is by using washcloths and facial wipes, If the collected wax is less in amount and not adhered tightly to the ear canal, this should be your first approach in an attempt to remove ear wax at home.

Here is how you should proceed to remove ear wax by this method:

• Take a washcloth or facial tissue
• Damp it in warm water and squeeze the excess water out
• Wrap it around your finger preferably double or triple layered, make sure your nails are properly cut and trimmed
• Put it inside your ear and gently remove the earwax and dirt that are trying to fall out of the canal

Oil is not just meant for cooking or massage. It can effectively remove earwax too. You know that oils have lubricating properties, right? It's this specific property which aids the removal of ear wax. The working mechanism behind it is: oil softens the ear wax and helps in its removal out of the ear canal.

Oils that you can use:

• Baby oil
• Olive oil
• Almond oil

How to use?

• Pick any of the aforementioned oils and put 2 to 3 drops of the oil inside the concerned ear
• Lie down on the bed in a way that the ear with oil faces upwards
• Wait for 5 to 10 minutes to let the oil do its work
• Oil will soften the wax and make it fall outside
• After 10 minutes, get up and clean the ear using a washcloth or facial tissues

How often should you use?

• Keep doing this two times per day for at least 2 days or until all the wax gets cleared up.

Precautions to take:

• While opting for oils to remove ear wax, some people might feel a slight burning sensation in the ear, but if you feel pain, stop using oil and consult a doctor for further checkup and removal

Another useful way to remove earwax without going to a doctor is by using glycerin. This is something that can be found very easily on the dressing table in most homes as it used for the purpose of moisturisation. Glycerin is often used in various commercial ear drops as an active ingredient. It works in the same way as ear drops do, by loosening the hard plugged wax and expelling it out of the ear canal.

The correct way to use glycerin for removing ear wax is given below. Follow these steps to get rid of ear wax at home:

• Put 2 to 3 drops of glycerin into the affected ear
• Rest for 5 to 10 minute patiently on the bed in a way that glycerin loaded ear faces the ceiling
• Let the glycerin do its work
• After 10 minutes, clean your ear as well as the unabsorbed glycerin, which will come out with the wax

How often should you use it?

• Repeat the procedure two times every day until all the accumulated wax gets cleaned up.

Just like glycerine, hydrogen peroxide is also an important ingredient in ear drops. In fact, it is frequently used by professionals to clean the earwax. Many doctors also use hydrogen peroxide to remove wax buildup in your ear. Several studies indicate that hydrogen peroxide containing ear drops could be an effective home remedy for ear wax removal.

However, you need to be cautious while using this ingredient. Here is the correct procedure to use it:

How to use it?

• Take a cotton ball and dip it in the hydrogen peroxide solution
• Put 2 to 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear by squeezing the cotton ball gently just above your ear opening
• Keep your concerned rear facing upward, let gravity do its work by pulling the solution inside the hardened wax so that it becomes loose and can flow out.
• Now, tilt your head just opposite to the earlier position and the wax will come out of the ear along with the extra solution
• Hopefully, your ear will be free of wax and find instant ease

There is one more way to remove the earwax i.e.by washing it out with a stream of water. Water has the capacity to flush out the waste, be it earwax or undigested food from your intestine, it is a versatile liquid. The correct method when it comes to using water/steam is as follows:

How to use it?

• Take a cup of water at room temperature
• Keep your head straight
• Now, straighten the ear canal by pulling your external ear slightly upwards
• Take a syringe (easily available at stores), fill it with water
• Gently, inject the water inside the ear so that the stream enters deep into the ear canal
• Tilt your head away so that the irrigated ear faces downward and all the water and wax flows out
• You have to repeat the whole process several times for complete removal of plugged wax

Precaution you need to take

• Do not irrigate your ear with a jet irrigator or waterjet meant for tooth cleaning
• Never attempt to remove ear wax by using irrigation or any other method, if you have a hole in the eardrum or have had recent ear surgery

Have you heard about ear candles? If yes, never encourage yourself to use it. Ear candles consist of hollow cones made up of fabric soaked in various wax. Sellers claims that the warmth of the ear candle generates suction through the hollow cone and sucks the wax and other impurities out of the ear canal. It seems like a heroic way to get rid of earwax, but is not an approved method and can be risky for your health or even affect your hearing capacity.

Food and Drug Authority (FDA) discourages its use and warns consumers about its side effects.

Here is a list of risks associated with the use of an ear candle:

• Bleeding from the ear canal
• Face and ear burn
• Starting a possible fire
• Injury to the eardrum or inner ear by dripping hot wax
• Further plugging of the ear by candle wax
• Hole in eardrum

• Most people have a tendency to put fingers inside their ears and shake it vigorously to unplug the wax. This should never be encouraged
• Never use any sharp objects like a pencil or pen to clean the build up. They might create a hole in your eardrum, damaging it permanently
• Don't use cotton buds or swabs to clean your ear as it might hurt your eardrum and can push the plugged wax deeper rather than pulling it out

Your earwax is a protective barrier for your ear, to keep it clean and prevent ear infections. Trying to remove earwax frequently can hamper the normal ear functions. So, keeping your ear health in mind, don't overdo ear cleaning. In fact, it is best to limit the cleaning up to outer ear only.