Along with brushing our teeth and showering, using cotton swab to clean out the wax from the ear canal is a routine for some of us.
This cleansing ritual is actually counter-productive and possibly dangerous. You may notice some residue on the swab, which means you’re probably pushing wax further into the canal.
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a yellowish waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and other mammals.
Using a q-tip to clean your ear can actually increase the risk of injury and infection in your ear, which can result in permanent damage.
To take this one step further, if you grab a box of Q-tip and read the comments it says, “WARNING: Do not insert swab into the ear canal. Entering the ear canal could cause injury.”
“Your body produces it [ear wax] to protect the ear canal. What you’re taking out is supposed to be in there. There’s a natural migration that carries the wax out when left alone.” said Dennis Fitzgerald, who is an otolaryngologist in Washington, D.C.
Believe it or not, earwax has numerous purposes, not only does it help keep dust and dirt away from the eardrum, it also provides some antibacterial and lubricating perks. It protects the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects and water.
Do Not Attempt to Dig Out Earwax
Never attempt to dig out excessive or hardened earwax with available items, such as a paper clip, a cotton swab or a hairpin. You may push the wax farther into your ear and cause serious damage to the lining of your ear canal or eardrum.
Tips for Cleaning
If earwax buildup is a recurring problem, contact your doctor who may recommend that you use a wax-removal medication, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox, Murine Earwax Removal System). Note that these drops may irritate the delicate skin of the eardrum and ear canal. Make sure you follow the included instructions.
If you feel your ears need a good cleaning, leave the work to the medical experts and schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Source:
Wikipedia
Mayoclinic.org