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You know it right. That feeling when you pull out a Q-tip and dip it into your ear canal. The sensation. The feeling. It feels like a reward. However, ear, nose, and throat specialists have long warned against this common practice. Know this. Inserting Q-tips into your ear canal can cause more harm than good and we will explain why. The Problem with Cotton Swabs Your Ears Are Self-Cleaning Your ear canals are designed to clean themselves naturally. Earwax, also called cerumen, isn’t dirt or a sign of poor hygiene. It’s a natural substance produced by glands in your ear canal that serves several important purposes: Traps dust, debris, and microorganisms before they can reach your eardrumMoisturises and protects the delicate skin of the ear canalHas antibacterial and antifungal properties that prevent infectionsNaturally migrates outward, carrying debris with it The outer ear naturally sheds old earwax, which works its way out of the canal on its own through jaw movements like chewing and talking. What Actually Happens When You Use Q-Tips When you insert a cotton swab into your ear canal, you’re likely doing the opposite of what you intend: Pushing wax deeper: Rather than removing earwax, cotton swabs typically push it further into the ear canal. This can create impacted wax against the eardrum, leading to hearing loss, earaches, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Injury risk: The ear canal is delicate and easily damaged. Even gentle insertion can cause: Scratches or cuts to the ear canal liningPerforated eardrumsDamage to the small bones in the middle earPainful infections from introducing bacteria Removal of protective wax: Overzealous cleaning can remove too much earwax, leaving your ear canal dry, itchy, and vulnerable to infection. What You Should Do Instead Clean Only What You Can See It’s perfectly fine to clean the outer ear and the entrance to the ear canal with a washcloth. Simply wipe around the outside of the ear and the visible portions during your normal bathing routine. When to See a Doctor You should consult a healthcare provider if you experience: Significant earwax buildup that affects hearingPain or discomfort in the earDrainage from the earPersistent itching inside the ear canalA feeling of fullness that won’t go away Medical professionals have safe tools and techniques for removing excess or impacted earwax, including irrigation, suction, or specialised instruments. Safe At-Home Options If you feel you have excessive earwax, consider these safer alternatives: Over-the-counter ear drops designed to soften waxAllowing warm water to enter the ear during showeringProfessional cleaning by a healthcare provider So, the next time you are tempted, don’t. Protect your ear health. Remember: if you can’t see it, you probably shouldn’t be cleaning it. Subscribe to Blog via Email
