Is there any home remides for removing ear wax?

Question

And please don't tell me those ear candles....they don't work....

And without using a q-tip.....

Answer 1

A vinegar-water-peroxide solution (1:1:2) can be warmed to body temperature and applied to the ear canal to soften wax. A drop of baby oil can be placed in each ear canal on a regular basis (typically, once or twice per week) to soften hard, painful wax. People who have a history of middle ear infections, swimmer's ear, or a hole in the ear drum should NOT try these remedies, nor should they allow a physician to irrigate their ears, as such methods can lead to a painful and/or dangerous ear infection. As a rule, people with a history of any ear disease should go to an ENT for wax problems and not try treating the problem themselves.

Answer 2

Do NOT put a Q-tip in your ear ! The best way to clean the ear wax out is to first soften it with mineral oil or baby oil (a few drops into the ear canal). After it is softened, you need to irrigate the ear. You probably need an ear syringe. Common mixtures for the irrigation would include a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide. There are other suggestions at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_wax
When I was growing up, we did this regularly. My mom was not certified by the Food and Drug Administration, but we all survived. (lol) Good Luck !

Answer 3

The best way is to use a mixture of vinegar to water in a 1:5 ratio. Instill this in the ear, and this will soften the wax. Your body does the rest and will expel the wax from your ear. Don't stick anything inside your ear, particularly a Qtip. This could cause an infection ;)

Answer 4

Peroxide on a Qtip. Dont go too deep, though... it might damage your eardrum.

Another way, if youre uncomfortable with the peroxide, OR Qtips, is to heat up water to where its a comfortable temperature, and still hot, to your elbow.
This can melt the wax and drain any excess wax out of your ear, if you just pour a little into it. Its also safest, cause Qtips arent generally reccommended to be stuck in your ears.

Earwax is good though, for your ears, and it helps to clean the actual bacteria that might build up into your ears. If you prefer, try pouring the peroxide into your ear and just draining it, or dipping the cotton swab into the hot water and gently cleaning out the stuff thats obvious, without going too deep.

PS those Ear candles are a real joke, I hear ya on that one. They really just turn colors and are more harmful than they appear. I am glad you made a comment on the candle scam. Its a real joke.

Answer 5

You are correct. Ear candling is a scam, as well as being potentially dangerous.

There are a great many ear pick tools available for ear wax removal, most of them from Japan. The Japanese term for cleaning out the ears (either on your own or for with the help of someone you trust) is called mimikaki, so a Google search on that term will reveal a treasure trove of implements to help you stay wax-free.

Answer 6

A vinegar-water-peroxide solution (1:1:2) can be warmed to body temperature and applied to the ear canal to soften wax. A drop of baby oil can be placed in each ear canal on a regular basis (typically, once or twice per week) to soften hard, painful wax. People who have a history of middle ear infections, swimmer's ear, or a hole in the ear drum should NOT try these remedies, nor should they allow a physician to irrigate their ears, as such methods can lead to a painful and/or dangerous ear infection. As a rule, people with a history of any ear disease should go to an ENT for wax problems and not try treating the problem themselves.

try placing a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial ear wax removal drops, such as Debrox®, Mack's® Wax AwayTM, Murine®, or Physicians' ChoiceTM in the ear. These remedies are not as strong as the prescription wax softeners but are effective for many patients. Rarely, people have allergic reactions to commercial preparations.

If you are uncertain whether you have a hole (perforation or puncture) in your eardrum, consult your physician prior to trying any over-the-counter remedies. Putting eardrops or other products in your ear in the presence of an eardrum perforation may cause an infection.

In the event that the home treatments are not satisfactory, or if wax has accumulated so much that it blocks the ear canal (and hearing), your physician may prescribe eardrops designed to soften wax, or he may wash or vacuum it out. Occasionally, an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) may need to remove the wax using microscopic visualization.

Answer 7

Cotton soaked in baby oil is the best I know of, it softens wax and soothes the ear canals somewhat. commercial ear drops caused more problems for me than they helped, but I have lupus and my ears are affected by it severely.

And 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore is the pits for an area as sensitive as you ear canals. same for Q-tips, there's a warning on the label, but I doubt if anyone aside from me has ever read it..

I use Q-tips with a product called Ear-Giene, an ENT specialist showed me the method for cleaning the outer part of my ear canals, and jamming the swab deep into the ear wasn't part of the method. Don't.

If you have an earache or diminished hearing, see a ENT specialist, your ears are as important as your eyes.

Answer 8

There is some stuff you can get over the counter called ERO. If you warm it a little by putting the bottle in some hot water, then put a few drops in your ear it helps to loosen it. Then get an ear syringe (like for babies) and flush it out kind of fast with warm water.

If that doesn't help, go to the ear doctor and let him suck it out with his machine.

Answer 9

Equal parts of Hydrogen Peroxide, rubbing alcohol, warm water in a baby syringe, with that ear pointed down squirt it in and let it flush. It will dry up wax and let it come out in a day or so. Maybe do it again the next day then wait . usually most will come out in sink at time of flush.

Answer 10

I would suggest flushing your ears with warm water--my physician did this to me once and it worked but you will feel a bit dizzy so make sure you are sitting down. He used a syringe filled with warm water and then I started using the OTC drops from the pharmacy. I've also heard of some people using ear candling but I was too scared...lol.