They say it removes ear wax and helps the infection.
2006-07-20 12:43:00 · 4 answers · asked by ShortNSweet 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Ear candles are a hoax. Don't even think of doing this.
Read for yourself:
http://www.doctorhoffman.com/candling.htm
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_098.html
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candling.html
http://www.entlink.net/activities/committees/earcandles.cfm
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/health/earcandle/
2006-07-20 14:12:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ack, please DON'T try this at home! The procedures you read about online can be very dangerous for the average Joe, like yourself.
Your ears make ear wax to PROTECT the ear and the ear drum, the most sensitive part of your body. The ear drum is very suseptible to being damaged by putting things too deeply into your ear canal, like, say, ear candles.
If you do have a lot of ear wax build up, try soaking in a cleaned and rinsed bath tub with your head underwater for a few minutes. This should loosen the wax, and make it easy enough to get with a Q-tip. Make sure you don't put the Q-tip in too far! When you feel pressure on the inside of your ear, you're gone TOO FAR!!!
Another trick to get rid of excess ear wax is to carefully (maybe have someone else with a steady hand help you) to put a drop or two of a mixture of 1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar into your ear as you lay on your side. (You only want a few drops at a time, and it will probably tickle a little.) Let is sit in your ear for 4-5 minutes, than turn over and put a tissue over your ear to catch the drops that come out.
For ear infections (besides going to the doctor for real ear drops) I use a drop of baby oil on a Q-tip to gently clean the inside of my ear, and you can lay on your side and have someone drop a drop of the baby oil into your ear, let it sit for 2-3 minutes, and then let it drain out. It is very soothing. A warm, wet wash cloth held over your ear can also help release some of the pressure.
Good luck, and please be careful. You can easily damage your ear drum if you aren't very cautious!!
2006-07-20 12:56:49 · answer #2 · answered by JennBride 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It removed the wax, but I don't think they clear up infection. I use them on myself and my husband. You can get them at health food stores. If you've got an infection, you need to take antibiotics.
2006-07-20 12:54:20 · answer #3 · answered by pamela_d_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought some a GNC last year
2006-07-20 12:48:19 · answer #4 · answered by huskergolf18 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋