According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), ear wax removal accounts for more primary care doctor office procedures than any other common ear, nose and throat problem. Ear wax buildup is common for a variety of reasons, and in some situations, commercial products, such as those developed and sold under the brand name Murine, may be effective in eliminating the wax blockage.
The Facts
Ear wax--your body's natural protection from foreign substances that could damage the inner ear--may harden and lodge in your ear canal. These hardened ear wax chunks sometimes build up in the ear canal, leading to a condition called cerumen impaction. Signs of cerumen impaction include a feeling of fullness in your ear, earaches, hearing problems and tinnitus, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Treatments for compacted ear wax include ear drops, irrigation and manual removal, the latter of which must be done by a physician.
Types
Murine ear care products are available at most pharmacies and health care centers as over-the-counter ear drop treatments for mild cases of impacted cerumen. Available products include individually sold bottles of droplets and an earwax removal system, which contains the drops and a flushing syringe for easier wax removal. You can purchase the droplets in a regular formulation, with carbamide peroxide as an active ingredient, and a homeopathic formulation, with various herbs and plants, including chamomile, among the active ingredients.
Use
Drip five to 10 drops in the affected ear for adults--one to five drops for children--in the affected ear for no more than four days, but check with your doctor to determine your exact dosage, as recommended by Drugs.com. As with any type of ear droplets, follow up the treatment with a water flush from a bulb syringe, if necessary, to remove the loosened chunks of wax. The Mayo Clinic points out that these droplets may irritate the sensitive skin in your ears, so make sure you talk to your doctor before using them.
Alternatives
Whether you're on a tight budget or would simply prefer a more readily available alternative to Murine ear drop formulas, multiple home remedies are available as alternatives to commercial ear drops. The NIH recommends various droplets, including baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin and hydrogen peroxide. Generally, putting several drops in the affected ear once or twice daily for one to four days loosens or breaks down the wax enough for easy removal.
Problems
Don't use commercial or homemade ear wax drop formulations to soften your ear wax if you think you may have a punctured ear drum, as it could lead to other complications, such as an ear infection. According to the NIH, other signs that indicate you should arrange a visit to your doctor before using any ear drops for ear wax removal include a fever, unusual fluid drainage from your ear and excessive ear pain.
