Sticky, soft or flaky, and intriguing (just think about those earwax removal videos!) are just some of the words that describe the wax lodged in our ears. Other adjectives may include uncomfortable and slightly, something that we do not want to feel due to the wax’s buildup.
Although it may seem like it, earwax is not dirt. Healthline – a publication focusing on health and wellness – shares that earwax (cerumen) serves an important purpose: lubricating and protecting your ears. “It even helps reduce your risk of ear infections, since it has antibacterial properties.”
The above-mentioned publication also warns that you should not attempt to remove earwax if you have a perforated eardrum, ear infection, ear surgery, tinnitus, or any other ear complications.
However, if you feel the need to, below is a list of a few home remedies to safely remove wax from your ear.
Baking soda
Applying the following method from Healthline, you can easily remove the buildup of wax:
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in 59 millilitres of warm water and pour the solution into a dropper bottle.
- Tilting your head to the side, gently drip 5 to 10 drops of the solution into your ear, one drop at a time.
- Leave the solution in the ear for up to one hour and flush with water afterwards.
- Do this once a day until the earwax clears up but do not do this for any longer than two weeks.
Oils
“Oil helps the ear wax to ooze out of the ear canal in small concentrations by making it softer,” explains Pristyn Care (new-age healthcare company). They also share that the following oils can assist you in removing ear wax:
- Coconut oil
- Almond oil
- Garlic oil
- Olive oil
- Mullein oil
- Baby oil
A quick and easy method, Healthline explains that you should tilt your head to the side, place a few drops of the desired oil into your ear and wait for five minutes. Repeat this once or twice per day.
Warm water
“Irrigating your ear with warm water may dislodge the ear wax from your ear canal,” says the above-mentioned information hub. Using a rubber bulb, squirt a few millilitres of warm water into your ear. Allow the water to run on a towel or basin to see some parts of excessive ear wax.
