Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a waxy oil produced by the outer portion of your ear canal to your ears. With both antibacterial and lubricating properties, earwax cleans your ears by carrying dirt and potentially infectious agents to the outer edges of your ear canal, where it flakes off or washes away. Blockage occurs when cerumen becomes impacted in the ear canal, often because improper use of cotton swabs pushes it deep into the canal. While generally not a serious condition, cerumen blockage may be annoying or painful, and it can cause temporary hearing loss. The Cleveland Clinic says mineral oil is an effective home remedy for softening and removing impacted earwax.
Step 1
Apply several drops of mineral oil to your affected ear using an eyedropper.
Step 2
Lay your head on a towel, with the affected ear up, for 10 to 15 minutes. The mineral oil softens the impacted cerumen.
Step 3
Irrigate your ear canal with warm water and a bulb syringe. Lean your head over a sink and gently pull the top of your ear upward and back to straighten out your ear canal as much as possible. Squirt the water into your ear canal, allowing the water and ear debris to drain into the sink. Direct the water from the syringe toward the side of the canal rather than down the middle.
Step 4
Tip your head to the side and gently blot any excess water draining from your ear with a towel. With a hair dryer on its lowest setting, blow warm air onto your outer ear to dry it completely. Repeat with your other ear if needed.
Step 5
If necessary, continue the entire process twice a day for four to five days. Your cerumen blockage may require several cycles of wax softening and irrigation to be fully resolved.
Tips and Warnings
- Use cotton swabs only on the outer portion of your ear--never inside your ear canal--to help prevent earwax blockage and avoid other damage. Warm the mineral oil before use by placing the container in a bowl of hot water until the oil reaches body temperature. Do not heat the oil in a microwave.
- Do not irrigate your ears if you have a perforated eardrum or a tube in your ear. Consult your health care provider if symptoms such as hearing loss or ear pain continue or worsen, or if the blockage remains after five days of mineral oil treatment.
Things You'll Need
- Mineral oil
- Eyedropper
- Towel
- Warm water
- Bulb syringe
- Sink
- Hair dryer
