Ear wax, also called cerumen, is made by the body to protect the ears, lubricate them and help remove bacteria, according to the Cleveland Clinic website. The wax should drain naturally, but it may become impacted due to injuries or an ear shape that doesn't allow the wax to move out of the ear canal. Dr. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, advises not to use a foreign object such as a Q-tip to remove ear wax because it might push the wax deeper or puncture the eardrum. Before using any natural remedy, consult your medical professional.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix a solution of half hydrogen peroxide and half water. Using an ear dropper, drop some of the solution into one ear. Lie on your other side for approximately 10 minutes to allow the solution to loosen the wax. Get up and tilt your head over a sink so your ear can drain. Repeat this process on the other ear. The Mayo Clinic website recommends doing this twice per day for no more than five days.
Mineral Oil
If the hydrogen peroxide doesn't work, you may want to try using mineral oil to loosen the wax. Dr. Roizen recommends lying down, dropping the mineral oil into your ear and leaving it there for about an hour. That gives it time to loosen the wax. When you tip your ear over the sink, you may see the wax come out. If not, gently squeeze a syringe filled with warm water into your ear afterward and allow it to drain. Glycerin or olive oil may be used in place of mineral oil.
Over-the-Counter Ear Cleaning Products
If you prefer using products specifically designed for cleaning the ears, there are several on the market. They are likely to come with an ear dropper for putting the product into the ears and a syringe for irrigating the ear canal.
After Cleaning
Instead of sticking anything into your ears to dry them, allow them to dry naturally or use a towel or blow dryer. Never dig into your ear canal with a cotton swab, hair pin or paper clip to remove loosened wax.
Frequency
The Mayo Clinic states that you might need to irrigate your ears several times before all the excess ear wax drains. David Edelstein, M.D., at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital advises that washing the ears once per month to maintain them is enough.
Untreated Ear Wax Risks
If you have impacted ear wax, you may have trouble hearing, according to the Cleveland Clinic website. The symptoms can worsen over time as even more wax builds up. Too much ear wax makes it difficult for the doctor to see inside the ear to diagnose conditions of the ears.
