Blog

September 8, 2020

COTTON SWAB & WHAT IS WAX

Using a cotton swab like a plunger in the ear canal pushes earwax deeper and deeper in. One problem is that if you push the wax deeper inside, there’s no way for the wax to get swept out of the ear. Also, cottonswabs can cause punctured ear drums and hearing loss.

WHAT IS WAX / IS WAX DIRTY

Wax is produced in the outer part of the ear canalby wax ( cerumen ) glands. Wax has antiseptic property, and mainly there to prevent dust and insects entring into the ear canal. This is a protective mechanism to prevent the damage to the ear drum. So it is not necessary to clean the ear canal using cotton buds.

A foreign object in the ear can cause pain, infection and hearing loss. Usually you know if an object is stuck in your ear, but small children may not be aware of it.

If an object becomes lodged in the ear:

• Don’t probe the ear with a tool such as a cotton swab or matchstick. You risk pushing the object farther in and damaging the ear.
• Do not attempt to Remove the object , sek the help from ENT Doctor
• Try using gravity. Tilt the head to the affected side to try to dislodge the object.
• Try using oil for an insect. If the foreign object is an insect, tilt the person’s head so that the ear with the insect is upward. Try to float the insect out by pouring mineral oil, olive oil or baby oil into the ear. The oil should be warm, but not hot. Don’t use oil to remove an object other than an insect. Don’t use this method for a child if ear tubes are in place or if you think the eardrum may be perforated. Signs and symptoms of a perforated eardrum are pain, bleeding or discharge from the ear.