This article was co-authored by Monica Kieu, DO, FACS and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Dr. Monica Kieu is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Kieu received a BS in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside and earned her medical degree (DO), with honors, from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She then completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Michigan State University/Detroit Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Kieu also completed a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Rhinologic Society. Dr. Kieu was recently named one of LA’s Top Docs by Los Angeles Magazine.
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Earwax is a natural substance that helps protect the ear and ear canal, but sometimes a little too much of it can make for an unpleasant time. If you’ve only got a little blockage, though, we’re here to help. We’ll show you how to irrigate your ears to break up blockage, fill you in on popular methods that don’t work so well, and offer some guidance for when it’s time to see a doctor.
Things You Should Know
- Deposit a few drops of saline solution into your upturned ear and let it soak for 1 minute, then rinse with water.
- Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part warm water, then add a few drops into your ear canal. Rinse your ear with water after 5 minutes.
- Avoid sticking Q-tips or other objects into your ear canal, and stay away from ear candles or forceful sprays.
- If you're experiencing severe symptoms, get checked by a doctor for an ear infection or other conditions.
Steps
Cleaning Your Ears with Liquid Solutions
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1Rinse your ears with saline solution. A saline rinse is a gentle and effective solution for getting wax out of your ears. Soak a cotton ball with the solution, then tilt the affected ear toward the ceiling and squeeze a few drops into your ear. Keep your head tilted to the side for 1 minute to allow the saline to soak in, then tilt it the other way to let it flow out.[1]
- Gently dry your outer ear with a towel when you’re done.
- Make your own saline solution by mixing 4 cups (950 mL) of distilled water (or tap water boiled for 20 minutes, then cooled) with 2 tsp (11.4 g) of noniodized salt.[2] Use lukewarm water to avoid vertigo.[3]
- If your earwax is hard and impacted, soften it first with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, baby oil, or commercial earwax remover.[4]
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2Soften stubborn earwax with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has the added advantage of being able to dissolve hardened earwax. To clean your ears with peroxide, dip a clean cotton ball in a solution of 1 part warm water and 1 part hydrogen peroxide or pull a few drops into a medicine dropper or syringe bulb. Tilt your ear up and let 3-5 drops flow in, wait 5 minutes, then tilt your ear down to let the fluid flow out again.[5]
- Afterward, rinse your ear with warm water or saline solution to flush out excess peroxide.
- Use this solution 2 to 3 times a day for up to a week. Stop and consult your doctor if you experience pain or irritation in your ears.
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3Irrigate your ears with baby oil, mineral oil, or commercial ear drops. Much like hydrogen peroxide, baby oil or mineral oil can help soften stubborn earwax, making it easier to remove. Use a medicine dropper to put 2 to 3 drops of oil in your ear, then hold your ear facing up for 2-3 minutes so the oil has a chance to soak in. When you’re done, tilt your head to the side to let the oil and wax run out.[6]
- You might also use glycerin if you have it on hand and want to use a natural oil.
- Use oil to pre-soften your earwax before rinsing your ears with saline solution.
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4Use alcohol and white vinegar to dry out moist ears. A mixture of alcohol and white vinegar can help cleanse your ears and also dry out extra moisture that might lead to irritation and infection. Mix 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of white vinegar with 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of rubbing alcohol in a clean cup. Use an eyedropper to apply 6-8 drops into your upturned ear. Let the mixture work into your ear for 1-2 minutes, then tilt your head to let it run out again.[7]
- If your ears are chronically moist, use this solution twice a week for a few months if your doctor recommends it. However, stop and consult your doctor if you experience irritation or bleeding.
Home Remedies to Avoid
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1Use cotton swabs and Q-tips for external cleaning only. Cotton swabs can be used on the outer ear to remove superficial earwax, but otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors) advise against digging into the ear canal with a cotton swab. Cotton swabs can also push wax deeper into your ear, potentially causing blockages, damage, or irritation.[8]
- The tissue in your ear canal is extremely delicate; it's easy to cause damage by smashing into any of the tissue near the tympanic membrane, or eardrum.
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2Stay away from ear candles. Ear candling is a procedure that involves placing a cone-shaped device into the ear and lighting a candle on the far end of the spout. This procedure is said to create a vacuum that draws wax and impurities out of the ear. However, it can also push earwax further into your ear. Ear candling is ineffective and can also cause:[9]
- Bleeding from the ears
- Perforated or blocked eardrums
- Burns to your face, hair, scalp, or ear canal
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3Steer clear of forceful ear sprays. Doctors may do this with adequate training, but don’t attempt it at home. Liquids that are thrust into the ear canal may get past the tympanic membrane and cause an ear infection or damage your inner ear.[10]
- When irrigating your ears, use a dropper, cotton ball, or syringe bulb to gently introduce the liquid 1 drop at a time.
- Never put any liquid into your ear if you have a perforated eardrum or surgically implanted tubes in your ears.
Getting a Medical Evaluation and Treatment
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1See your doctor if you have symptoms of earwax blockage. If you think you might have excessive earwax in your ear, make an appointment with your doctor. They can safely remove any excess earwax, as well as confirm your symptoms are not a sign of a more serious underlying issue. If you wear hearing aids, which can contribute to wax buildup, see your doctor every 3-6 months to have your ear canals checked.[11] See your doctor if you experience symptoms such as:[12]
- An earache
- A feeling of blockage or fullness in your ear
- Itchiness in your ear
- Pain when touching your ear
- Difficulty hearing
- Ringing in your ear
- Dizziness
- A cough that isn’t explained by a cold or other condition
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2Ask your doctor to rule out an infection or other underlying condition. If you have an ear infection or an ear injury that’s contributing to your symptoms, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent further damage. Additionally, an infection or other problem with your ear (such as an injured eardrum) could make cleaning your ears with typical methods dangerous.[13]
- If you have an ear infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help clear it up. Do not put liquids or objects (such as cotton swabs) into an infected ear unless your doctor instructs you to do so.
- Don’t try to clean wax out of your ears on your own if you have an injured eardrum or an object stuck in your ear.[14]
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3Discuss having excess wax removed in the doctor’s office. If you have excess earwax and don’t want to attempt to remove it on your own, your doctor may be able to perform a simple in-office procedure to clean your ears. Ask them if they can remove your earwax with a curette (a curved instrument designed to scrape the wax out of your ear canal) or a warm water rinse.[15]
- Your doctor may also prescribe medicated ear drops to help remove excess wax from your ear. Follow the instructions on these products carefully, since they may irritate your eardrums and ear canals if you use them incorrectly.
Ear Cleaning Video Tutorial
Expert Q&A
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Monica Kieu, DO, FACSDr. Monica Kieu is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Kieu received a BS in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside and earned her medical degree (DO), with honors, from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She then completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Michigan State University/Detroit Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Kieu also completed a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Rhinologic Society. Dr. Kieu was recently named one of LA’s Top Docs by Los Angeles Magazine.
Board Certified OtolaryngologistAfter you shower, gently clean the outside of your ear canal with a damp washcloth and your pinky finger.
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Warnings
- If you are experiencing ear pain, a fever, loss of hearing or ringing in the ears, do not attempt any home remedies for removing earwax unless your physician recommends it.[16]⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/got-an-ear-full
- ↑ https://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/PedSurgery/ColorectalProgram/SalineSolution.pdf
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm
- ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0194599816671491
- ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/ear-wax
- ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0194599816671491
- ↑ https://uihc.org/health-topics/otitis-externa-get-rid-swimmers-ear
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/earwax.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2231549/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm
- ↑ Monica Kieu, DO, FACS. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Expert Interview. 20 October 2020.
- ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/earache
- ↑ Monica Kieu, DO, FACS. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Expert Interview. 20 October 2020.
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm
About This Article
Before you try to get rid of earwax on your own, visit your doctor if you're experiencing severe symptoms, like ringing in your ears, difficulty hearing, dizziness, or an earache, since they could be the sign of an underlying issue. If you're not experiencing serious symptoms, you can try getting rid of the earwax at home using a saline solution. First, mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 cup of warm water until the salt dissolves. Then, soak a cotton ball in the solution and tilt your head so that the ear you want to treat is facing up to the ceiling. Squeeze some of the solution into the affected ear, and then tilt your head to the other side after 1 minute to drain the solution, along with some built up ear wax. For tips from our Medical co-author, like how to use hydrogen peroxide or vinegar to get rid of earwax, keep reading!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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