A content creator recently sparked conversation by suggesting a method to remove earwax at home using cotton swabs coated with oil. Acknowledging that many people continue to use cotton swabs despite medical warnings, she proposed applying a small amount of oil, such as olive oil, to the swab before insertion. Her reasoning was that the oil would act as a lubricant, pulling out wax without needing to push the swab deep into the ear canal. However, medical experts strongly advise against this practice. Doctors explain that inserting objects into the ear canal disrupts the ear's natural self-cleaning process and can push wax deeper, leading to impaction, hearing loss, pain, and other complications. The addition of oil does not reduce these risks. Safe alternatives include using over-the-counter wax-softening drops or seeking professional removal through micro-suction, manual instrumentation, or irrigation performed by trained healthcare providers.
Medical Experts Strongly Discourage Using Cotton Swabs in Ears
Dr Sumit Kumar Gaur, senior consultant ENT at Apollo Hospital, emphasises that using cotton swabs, whether with or without oil, is never advisable from a medical standpoint. The ear canal naturally cleans itself as skin migrates outward, carrying wax and debris along. Inserting a cotton swab acts like a ramrod, pushing wax deeper into the sensitive bony part of the ear canal and against the eardrum. This can cause cerumen impaction, resulting in hearing loss, pain, tinnitus, and dizziness. Adding oil to the swab does not reduce these risks and may introduce new complications. While oil drops alone can soften hardened wax, combining them with a swab is an unsafe delivery method. Safe alternatives include over-the-counter softening drops or professional removal through micro-suction, manual instrumentation, or irrigation.
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