Feeling a sense of discomfort in your ears? Do they feel blocked and you can barely hear? That could be a result of the build-up of ear wax in the ear canal causing you itching and pain. Ear wax is a common problem, but if not treated at the right time, it can cause complications.
What is ear wax basically and what are its symptoms? Are there any simple home remedies that can help you remove ear wax without having to go to the doctor? If you want answers to all these questions, then this post is the one you should read!
Ear Wax or cerumen is a natural substance produced as part of the body’s defence mechanism against bacteria and other foreign particles. It acts as a natural lubricant trapping the dirt while reducing the growth of bacteria. Ear wax removal should not be done on a regular basis but only as and when required. It’s a natural protection for the inner ear and eardrum.
It is possible that your ear canal is blocked by ear wax if you experience any of the following symptoms.
Unbearable itching deep inside the ear A feeling of fullness or a blocked sensation Vertigo A ringing sound in the ear A fluid like discharge from the inner ear A diminished hearing capacity Pain in the ear
Wondering how to remove ear wax easily? Many times, since the ear wax hardens, it becomes difficult for it to fall off on its own. Softer wax tends to come off on its own. Hence, most remedies for the removal of ear wax will try to soften it to bring it out towards the exterior portion of the ear.
Mix one tablespoon of salt in about half a cup of warm water. Let it dissolve completely. Use a cotton ball and soak it in this saline solution. Tilt your head so that the blocked ear faces the ceiling. Now squeeze a few drops of the water into the ear. Wait a while till the water has penetrated into the ear canal. Do not move from the position. After a few minutes, tilt your head and bring your blocked ear towards the floor, so that you are able to drain out the saline water completely. You can repeat if you like. The hardened wax should come out quite easily.
This procedure has to be followed for the other solutions and oils as well.
It has a chemical name but hydrogen peroxide is natural. It is merely water reinforced with additional oxygen. All living organisms produce hydrogen peroxide naturally as a natural immune response towards infection. Hydrogen peroxide bought from the medical store is chemically produced by passing compressed through a water solution. It can be used to remove ear wax and is also a disinfectant that will keep ear infections at bay.
Use hydrogen peroxide (that is not above 3%) to make a solution with equal parts of water. Using a cotton ball, squeeze some in your blocked ear by tilting your head sideways, with your wax-filled ear facing the ceiling. Let it settle for some time. Now by tilting your head towards the floor, let the extra solution trickle out.
Baby oil is a mineral oil with the addition of a mild soothing fragrance. Mineral oil is a by-product of petroleum. It is an effective moisturizer and a lubricating substance and softens ear wax in no time.
Put a few drops of the baby oil using a dropper or a cotton ball into the blocked ear. Block the opening of the ear by using another cotton ball. This way, excess oil will not ooze out. Remove the cotton ball from the ear after some time. The oil will help soften the accumulated and hardened ear wax and help in its removal.
Oils are very helpful in softening hardened wax in ears. As they are greasy, they act on the hardened wax and make it pliable and easy to remove. Some studies have also indicated that virgin olive oil has strong bacteria destroying properties.
Use warm olive oil with a dropper or a cotton ball as described earlier. Repeat for a few days regularly, so that the hardened wax gets ultimately dislodged.
Similarly coconut oil is also useful to get rid of collected ear wax. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids similar to sebum, and hence can be used without any worry. As it is also natural and is effective against microbes, it lowers the risk of any infection. It may actually kill a wide range of harmful bacteria due to the wax build-up.
PREV POST PAGE 1 2NEXT