1. To Swab or Not to Swab
When we feel we have some excess wax build-up in the ears, we reach for the cotton-tipped swabs. These are OK for cleaning around the outer part of the ear and just inside the ear. If there's a larger wax build-up, the swab will actually push the wax further back into the ear canal, making the wax difficult to remove or causing the wax to become compacted in the ear. At that point, you'll need to see a doctor for the wax removal.
2. Bubble the Earwax Away
A fairly easy and safe method to remove earwax at home is by using hydrogen peroxide. Do this in your bathroom over the sink. Turn your head to the side with the ear you'll be cleaning up towards the ceiling. Use a dropper to drop two or three drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear. This will feel cold, so don't panic. Wait about 30 seconds to give it a chance to loosen the earwax. Place a tissue over the ear and turn your head completely over to let the wax and hydrogen peroxide drain out. Repeat f you feel there's more wax.
3. Flush it Out
Soften earwax by dropping several drops of oil, like baby oil, a mineral oil or olive oil in your ear. Tilt your head to the side, so the drops drain in. Do this morning and night for several days. Use warm, not hot, tap water to flush out the ear canal with a standard ear syringe or bulb syringe. Tilt your head downward and insert the tip of the syringe into the ear canal over a sink. Squeeze the syringe with enough pressure to flush out wax pieces. Repeat if you feel there's more wax to come out.
4. Burn Out the Earwax
Use ear candles to remove earwax. Use a sturdy plate or folded foil as a base, push the smaller end of the candle through the plate, light the candle on the larger end and insert the smaller end into the ear canal. Give it time for the candle to burn, letting it go down an inch. Snip the end off the large end, dropping it in the sink or water. Keep repeating as it burns down around four inches. Take the candle out and cut open by length so see what came out of the ear.
5. Easy Does It
Any procedures that you use to remove earwax from your ears should be done with great care and caution so as not to damage your ears. You can drop a few drops of alcohol into your ear canals to dry up any water residue left from any methods of earwax cleaning. Should you feel any extreme pain during your earwax removal, stop and call your doctor.
