Clean Ears the Right Way: Ditch the use of cotton buds! Learn four surprising risks and uncover safe alternatives for healthy ears.
Introduction
The majority of us are guilty of the act of using cotton buds to clean our ears, believing it is an innocent way of maintaining hygiene. Most people also think that the cotton buds sold in medicine stores are meant to clean ears, but that’s not really true. It is a false belief that is deeply rooted in our society and is highly causing health problems. In this article, we are going to take a deep look into the four risks associated with using cotton buds to clean ears.
Ear’s Natural Cleaning Process
I know that the question on your mind right now will be: How am I supposed to clean my ears when it’s not safe to use cotton buds? Before we proceed to look into the risks associated with using cotton buds to clean ears, it is very important for us to understand how the ear’s natural cleaning process works.
Do you even know that the ears are naturally designed to clean themselves? Here is how the hearing cleaning process works: The ear is designed to be self-cleaning, like I mentioned earlier, thanks to a magical substance known as earwax.
Contrary to popular belief, which is deeply rooted in our society, earwax plays a very important role in protecting the ear canal. The earwax acts as a natural barrier that traps dust, debris, and bacteria, preventing them from reaching deeper into the ear.
Whenever we insert the cotton buds into our ears, we one way or another disrupt this delicate balance by pushing wax further inside and interfering with the ear’s cleaning mechanism.
4 Risks associated to using cotton buds to clean ears
1. Earwax obstruction
Earwax obstruction is one of the common problems that arise from the use of cotton buds to clean ears. Earwax obstruction happens when wax builds up in the ear canal, which results in a blockage. When this happens, it can lead to different symptoms, such as earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and sometimes dizziness. When earwax obstruction is left untreated, it can result in severe consequences, including an increased chance of ear infections and further complications.
It’s very important to fight the urge to use cotton buds to remove earwax, as it typically contributes to obstruction rather than resolving it.
2. Ear infection
When you clean your ears with cotton buds, there is a high probability that you will develop an ear infection. This is because the ear canal is very sensitive and vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections.
When you insert cotton buds into your ear, you eventually bring in foreign objects that can carry bacteria from the outer ear canal inside. This particular attitude sets the stage for an infection, which can cause pain, swelling, discharge, and diminished hearing.
There are various types of ear infections, such as swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) and middle ear infection (otitis media), which can be quite painful and may necessitate medical intervention, like antibiotics or ear drops, to resolve. So, it’s important to be cautious when using cotton buds.
3. Damage to the Ear Canal
Another risk attached to using cotton buds to clean the ear is damage to the ear canal. Due to the delicate nature of the ear canal, it is extremely susceptible to harm, and this is especially true when cotton buds are inserted into the canal in a forceful manner.
A number of injuries, including scrapes, scratches, and even perforation of the eardrum, can be caused by inserting cotton buds into the ear canal for an excessive amount of time. If these injuries are not appropriately treated, they can cause a great deal of discomfort and may even result in long-term consequences.
If you clean your ears with cotton buds on a regular basis, there is a high risk of causing the skin in the ear canal to become irritated and inflamed, which further increases the likelihood of damage occurring.
To avoid causing any undue harm and to ensure that the ear canal remains healthy, it is important to handle the ear cleaning process with caution and to refrain from entering any objects, including cotton buds, into the ear canal.
4. Increasing the Depth of Earwax
Contrary to what many people believe, one of the most rampant risks linked to using cotton buds for cleaning is that it can cause earwax to be pushed deeper into the ear canal. When you put cotton buds into the ear canal, it frequently results in the earwax being compressed and pushed deeper inward rather than being removed successfully.
This impacted earwax can lead to a number of concerns, including hearing loss, pain, and an increased risk of ear infections.
To avoid pushing earwax deeper into the ear canal, it’s necessary to adopt safe and gentle ear cleaning methods. Choosing other forms of ear cleaning, such as ear irrigation or utilizing ear drops, can help release earwax safely without the risk of pushing it deeper and causing difficulties.
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Safe Ear Cleaning Practices
Having seen the risks connected with using cotton buds to clean ears, it’s essential to look into safer options that promote ear cleanliness without jeopardizing ear health. Here are some recommended safe ear cleaning procedures to help you maintain clean and healthy ears:
Use Ear Drops: Ear drops are one of the safest and most efficient techniques to soften earwax, making it easier to naturally discharge from the ear canal. It is highly advisable to go for ear drops specifically formulated for earwax removal to safely dissolve excess wax buildup.
Ear Irrigation: This involves gently cleansing the ear with warm water to eliminate earwax and debris. This particular approach is typically performed by healthcare professionals and is one of the safest alternatives to cotton buds for removing earwax.
Warm Compress: This approach involves applying a warm compress to the outer ear, which will help soften earwax and aid its removal. Simply soak a clean towel in warm water, wring out excess water, and place it against the ear for a few minutes to release the wax.
Seek professional treatment: If you have persistent earwax buildup or symptoms of ear issues, it’s important to seek professional treatment from an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or healthcare practitioner. They can safely check your ear health and propose appropriate treatment alternatives.
