Earwax plays an important role in your body, especially in protecting your ear canal and eardrum from invading dust and other substances. Earwax is a sticky substance that traps anything that comes in contact with it. As the earwax becomes full of dirt and other particles it slowly makes its way towards the outer ear and falls out naturally. However, sometimes earwax can get stuck in the ear, leaving you with a need to remove the earwax manually.
Step 1
Apply a lubricant into the ear canal with an eye dropper. Lubricants help soften the earwax for easier removal. Many types of lubricants be used, some you may already have in your house and include mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, or baby oil. The Mayo Clinic suggests placing a few drops in the ear twice a day for up to five days.
Step 2
Squirt warm water into your ear canal using a rubber-bulb irrigation syringe. On the last day of lubricant application the ear should be irrigated with the rubber-bulb syringe. Tilt your head and gently squirt the warm water directly into the affected ear.
Step 3
Drain your ears of the water by tilting your head and pulling the ear canal straight. You can get the ear canal straight by pulling gently on the ear until you feel the canal open up. Place a clean washcloth next to the ear to catch and absorb the water and earwax.
Step 4
Apply a commercial earwax softener. If household lubricants are not enough, several over the counter lubricants can be purchased to do the same thing such as carbamide peroxide. Ear wax removal kits can also be found in many drug stores or pharmacies.
Step 5
Visit your doctor to have stubborn earwax removed safely. If household or over-the-counter methods are unsuccessful your doctor can remove the earwax manually. During this procedure your doctor may use irrigation, or may remove the earwax manually using a curved tool known as a curette, or possibly a mixture of both.
Things You'll Need
- Lubricating Oil
- Eye Dropper
- Rubber-bulb Syringe
