Earwax acts as an antibacterial barrier, lubricates the ear's inner surfaces, and helps keep your ears clean and dry, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. In many cases, people cause their own earwax problems by using cotton swabs or other objects in an attempt to remove the wax. While you may think you're cleaning your ears, you're actually pushing wax deep into the ear and causing it to impact and get stuck. Earwax should be allowed to work its way out naturally. If you do have an impaction, home remedies are generally effective at clearing out the problem.
Step 1
Clean the outside of your ear with a warm washcloth, including the folds in your outer ear. As earwax migrates out of the ear, it can be deposited onto the outer ear.
Step 2
Treat deep, embedded wax by adding a few drops of mineral oil to your ear. Leave the mineral oil in your ear to let it loosen embedded wax. Allow the wax to work its way out on its own. Repeat the treatment with peroxide the following day if the mineral oil doesn't do the trick.
Step 3
Use a home irrigation kit for stubborn wax that can't be treated with mineral oil or peroxide. Add a few drops of saline to the affected ear and let it soften the wax for at least 15 minutes. Warm some saline to body temperature and use an ear irrigation device or a ball syringe to wash away impacted wax. Dry your ears with a hair dryer on a low setting, recommends MayoClinic.com.
Step 4
Visit your doctor for manual removal if all self-help methods fail. You doctor can remove wax with special instruments and lighted scopes that allow for precision and safety. Never attempt to remove wax at home with similar instruments, or you risk damaging your ear drum and losing your hearing.
Things You'll Need
- Mineral oil
- Peroxide
- Saline
- Ear irrigation device or ball syringe
- Washcloth
- Hair dryer (optional)
