Having ear wax stuck in your ear canal can be irritating and even painful. Although ear wax serves the important function of protecting your ear canal from water and harmful bacteria, some people produce more ear wax than can be normally expelled from the ear. This leads to a buildup of excessive ear wax, and sometimes blockages, according to MedlinePlus. Fortunately, you can remove most minor ear wax buildup yourself, at home.
Step 1
Make sure your ears are healthy before deciding to perform this procedure yourself. Do not attempt to remove ear wax build up if you have had ear surgery or have a perforated ear drum warns MayoClinic.com; even careful attempts to remove wax could cause serious damage to your ear drum or ear canal under these circumstances.
Step 2
Soften the excess ear wax by irrigating your ear canal with baby or mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or drops from an over-the-counter ear wax removal kit, suggests MedlinePlus. Do not use anything that creates a stronger stream than an eye dropper or a medication syringe to irrigate to ensure the safety of your inner ear.
Step 3
Tilt your head and pull your ear back to open the ear canal and let gravity allow the excess wax to drain out. Repeat the wax softening irrigation procedure twice per day until the excess wax comes out.
Step 4
Contact a physician if the wax buildup persists after 4 to 5 days of irrigation, advises MayoClinic.com; you may need medical assistance for safe wax removal.
Things You'll Need
- Baby oil, mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or an ear wax removal kit
- Eye dropper
