Know How to Safely Clean Earwax

Cleaning earwax is often done using a cotton bud . However, this method can actually damage the ear canal and eardrum. Well, to prevent injury to the ear, you need to understand how to clean earwax properly and safely.

Earwax or cerumen is produced by glands on the outside of the ear canal. The production of earwax actually aims to block dust or other small particles that have the potential to irritate or infect the eardrum.

Earwax also acts as a layer that protects the skin of the ear canal from water. Without earwax, this area can become dry, itchy, and even prone to infection.

It is essential to know that the ear really has a self-cleaning system, specifically with mouth actions such as when eating. When chewing, earwax will definitely be actually raised to the external portion of the ear channel.

Ear wax is a fluid that naturally drains , and doesn't cause any problems in the majority of cases. The ear wax should be able to drain as the skin inside the ear canal begins to shed. The ear wax may vary in shades ranging from brown to orange. The ear wax of children tends to be lighter and more supple than adult ear wax. Use Ear Wax Cleaner to cleanse your earwax.

However, you can try several ways to clean earwax, either with the help of a doctor or do it yourself at home, to avoid blockage due to earwax. However, make sure the method used is appropriate and safe so as not to cause interference with the ears .

Causes of Earwax Blockage

Despite having a self-cleaning mechanism, some people have ear canals that are too small for the earwax to come out on its own. This can lead to blockage of the ear canal by wax or cerumen prop .

In addition, blockage of the ear canal can also be caused by an improper cleaning process. For example, using cotton buds or hair clips. This can actually push earwax deeper into the ear, and can even cause ear injuries.

Some other conditions that can trigger earwax blockage include:

Using hearing aids or earplugs or earphones can increase the amount of earwax jumlah

Have a narrow ear canal

Have a lot of hair in the ear canal

Have inflammation of the ear canal or Otis externa

Have certain skin conditions that affect the scalp or the skin around the ears

In addition, blockage due to earwax can also occur in those who are elderly. This is because as you get older, earwax gets drier and harder, so the risk of blockage is higher.

How to Clean Earwax

There are several safe ways to deal with blockage due to earwax that can be done, including:

Using ear drops

To soften earwax, you can use over-the- counter ear drops or insert a few drops of baby oil and glycerin into the ear canal.

Make sure you are lying on your side and let the medication sit for about 5 minutes until the earwax softens. However, if you have an ear infection, avoid using these ear drops.

Flushing the ear canal with a syringe

This method uses a round injection device to inject water or saline into the ear. This process aims to rinse the ear canal, so that earwax can come out. This method cannot be performed on people who have a hole in the eardrum .

The use of cotton buds is only allowed to clean the outer ear, not the inner ear canal. Meanwhile, the ear candle method is also not recommended because it can cause injuries, such as burns to the ear canal and outer ear or a perforated eardrum.

Keep in mind that cleaning earwax with certain tools must be done by a doctor. So, consult a doctor if you want to clean earwax, as well as if you have ear complaints or hearing loss.