For many people, a cotton swab may seem like a great tool for removing excess earwax. In reality, however, cleaning your ears too deeply can have some unpleasant consequences.
According to Sherzat Niyazov, an otolaryngologist (ENT) from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, cleaning your ears with cotton swabs is a habit worth giving up.
Earwax is not dirt
As the doctor noted, earwax is there for a reason, as it serves a protective function.
«It protects us from bacteria and fungi, moisturizes the skin of the ear canal, and helps expel dust and dirt naturally,» the doctor explained.
Cleaning your ears with a cotton swab doesn’t necessarily remove all the wax. Instead, it may push some of it deeper into the ear canal, leading to buildup or blockage. Over time, this can cause ear pain and even hearing loss.
Furthermore, cotton swabs can injure the skin and introduce bacteria, which can lead to inflammation of the outer ear canal in some cases.
Avoid cleaning deep inside children’s ears, as you risk injuring the ear canal or eardrum.
So, how should you clean your ears?
Healthy people usually don’t need to do anything special to remove earwax.
«Our ears clean themselves when we chew. To facilitate this process, we should eat solid foods more often. Therefore, simply washing the outer part of the ear after bathing is sufficient. We don’t go inside — neither for children nor for adults,» the ENT emphasized.
If your ear feels blocked or you experience hearing loss, pain, discharge or other symptoms, don’t try to remove the wax yourself. Instead, consult an ENT specialist.
