Earwax might not be the most pleasant substance to look at, but it's an essential part of your ears' defense against foreign materials and bacterial growth. Sometimes this substance can build up too heavily, and cause pain or hearing loss. If earwax is causing you discomfort, often you can safely remove it at home, though you might need a doctor's help in more severe cases. When in doubt, always consult a doctor first, as improper treatment can worsen the blockage, cause ear infections or damage your inner ear.
Step 1
Soften the wax in your ear. You can find over-the-counter drops at your drugstore that can do this, but baby oil, hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, glycerin or a mix of vinegar, water and peroxide—two parts peroxide and one part each of vinegar and water—can be just as effective, according to MayoClinic.com and Douglas Hoffman of The Medical Consumer's Advocate. Using an eyedropper, insert a few drops of your product of choice into your ear canal twice daily. Repeat this for several days, but for no more than five days. Consult with your doctor before beginning any home treatment.
Step 2
Irrigate your ears with water if the wax does not dislodge on its own after several days of softening. Tilt your head back, pull your earlobe up to open your inner ear and squirt a small amount of water into your ear using a rubber syringe. Tilt your head to its side to drain the water from the ear. The U.S. National Library of Medicine recommends that you use lukewarm water, as hot or cold water can make you dizzy. Repeat a few times if the wax does not dislodge.
Step 3
Dry your outer ear with a towel. You also can use a hand-held blow dryer, on a low setting, to dry out your ear.
Step 4
Visit a doctor if home remedies do not work. A doctor can try irrigation or might use a curette, a tiny metal ring attached to a handle, to scrape out the wax. A doctor also might use suction to remove the wax. At times, a doctor will need to use a microscope to aid in wax removal.
Step 5
Ask your doctor about wax-removal medication if your earwax problem recurs often. These medicines, such as carbamide peroxide, can help prevent future blockage, though they also can damage the skin inside of your ear, so use them only under a doctor's supervision.
Tips and Warnings
- You can find a variety of earwax removal kits in drugstores. Ask your doctor whether these would be effective in treating your earwax problem.
- If you have a history of ear infections or eardrum damage, do not try to soften the wax or irrigate it out and instead go immediately to a doctor for treatment. Softening or irrigation can cause a potentially serious ear infection. While you can use cotton swabs to clean your outer ear, never use them to clean your inner ear. You risk damaging your eardrum or packing the wax deeper in your ear. Do not try "candling," a method of earwax removal accomplished via a lit candle in the ear. MayoClinic.com reports that this method is ineffective and could cause burns or further blockage.
Things You'll Need
- Ear drops, hydrogen peroxide, baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or vinegar
- Eyedropper
- Rubber ball syringe
- Towel or blow dryer
