Using Cotton Buds (Q-tips ™) To Clean Ear Canal Is Bad

Cotton buds also known as Q-tips™ have been sold for many years now. Consumers use it often to clean the ear canal. However, it was not until recently that the manufacturers came out to clear the air as to why cotton buds were made and how to use them. You just might have been using it the wrong way all along.

Read Also: Abbreviations and their meaning

Many people use it to get dirt out of the ear canal or so they think. This is common when the ear is itchy or feels a little bit uncomfortable. The process is simple. Pushing in the cotton bud and twisting it to grab as much dirt as possible before removing it. Unfortunately, this process does the opposite. Why you may ask.

Earwax (Cerumen)

The ear canal contains earwax also known as cerumen. The wax is made by the body naturally. The earwax is a protective fluid that keeps the inside ear safe and secure from insects and microorganisms. It is moist and sticky and helps trap insects and microorganisms that come into the ear canal. It is moist and prevents ear canal dryness which can be uncomfortable. So the ear canal consists of wax, dirt and microbes trapped in it.

How To Get Ear Canal Content Out

It may sound logical to get the ear canal content out since it may contain traps in unwanted debris. However, the ear canal was designed to clean itself without the assistance of an external activity. The skin in the ear canal grows outward. As it grows, it moves along the earwax and it's contents. Towards the entrance to the ear canal, the earwax clog or clump together to form a small mass which breaks away from the ear canal. Most of these small lumps fall off especially at night during sleep or when walking without notice.

Cotton buds (Q-tips ™)

Dangers Of Inserting Cotton buds

Because cotton buds have big heads, inserting them into the ear canal pushes both debris and earwax into the ear. It may accumulate in the eardrum area. This can cause earwax impaction. At the end, the person can experience dizziness, ringing sensation in the ear, pain and hearing loss.

Other dangerous situations are punctured eardrums, cotton fall off inside the ear canal and injury to the ear canal from friction with the cotton. That injury can be a source for infection.

How To Remove Excess Earwax

There are times the ear canal produces excess earwax. You don't need a cotton bud to remove it. During bath or any other activity that makes the head come in contact with water, enough moisture enters the ear canal (water doesn't flow into the ear because of the curvature). The water loosen the earwax that has accumulated. This enables it to flow out without notice. But in severe earwax accumulating in the ear canal, there is a medical process that can get it out.

Symptoms

1. Pain

2. Itch

Diagnosis

A medical personnel uses an otoscope to study the inside of the ear canal.

Pharmacotherapy/Treatment

If the person is feeling pain, the use of paracetamol or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen tablet is good. There are procedures for removing excess earwax and which can be done at home.

Read Also: Causes of hearing your name when alone

1. Add two drops of glycerin or any other suitable oil into the ear canal. This help to soften the impacted wax

2. Irrigate the ear canal with warm water

3. Drain out the water by tilting the head

4. Dry the outer part of the ear with a soft towel

How To Use Cotton Buds

I know you must be wondering if the cotton bud is not meant to clean the inside of the ear, then what is its function. The cotton bud is designed to clean the outer part of the ear. Your bathing sponges and soap don't do a good job there. And because in most cases you are in a hurry to go to work during bath, you don't pay much attention to that area because you are trying to beat time. Those buds come in handy cleaning those hard to get locations. You can add a little water and soap to the cotton to help get out those oils in that ear lobe.

Share On Social Media With Family And Friends To Show You Care!