Cleaning out one's ears (a different kind of advice topic)

[Kaisha]

Any ideas for those of us who have hard ear-wax, which render q-tips useless?

Most my doc's ever used is warm mineral water (or something along the lines of that) and just flush repeatedly, which hurts over time. ;/

I've tried hydrogen peroxide before back when I had ear infections, but that just makes the shit even 'crustier' inside I found.

[Tricen]

Whoa now wait a minute here....you're NOT supposed to use Q-tips for cleaning out the inside of your ear?

No, it'll cause your ears to get impacted.

[Shade]

Recently I had a small ear infection, and my ears tend to get a bit waxy too.... Doc recommended olive oil, I think, to soften the wax up... Do it for a week or two, then go in to have them flushed with water. If the wax is impacted and hardened onto the ear drum, you can bust it in the process, so it needs to be soft.

Doctor was this nice old fatherly type. "But this has only ever happened once, over the forty or so times I've done it." ...lol.

Oh. Don't ever get your ears flushed when you have an ear infection, or think you might. That can lead to an even worse infection, and tinnitus. Which you do not want. Many years ago, I went in to the clinic for a stuffed up ear and ended up with both of those, because they didn't know I had an ear infection until after they'd done it.

[Kerberoz]

I've always found a capful of h2o2 to work. Leave it in a few minutes then drain.

[Maguspk]

Buy Earwax Removal Aid (drops) from Walmart of wherever you can get over the counter medicine type stuff. Follow directions.

Don't use Q-tips, it only prolongs the problem, the relief is there sure, but it doesn't help the problem whatsoever. Putting your fingers in your ears is also a bad idea, you're just inviting an infection (fungal or bacterial) when you use your fingers in your ear. That's just gross.

[Pikarya]

If you jam it down the canal, sure. But Q-tips are not meant for that purpose.

"Q-Tips cotton swabs have more cotton at the tip* than any other swab, making them the safest, softest and gentlest tool you can use for family care. They also provide the ultimate precision, making them the perfect tool for uses outside your ear."

As they advertise, they suggest only using it on the outer canal (The visible part of the ear obviously). Anyone that goes jamming one down the inner canal deserves to have an ear infection or worse.

[Wintermute]

What was the home remedy for softening up Ear Wax?

It was warmed up Olive oil on a piece of cotton wool wasn't it?

You place the wool soaked in the warm oil on/in your ear and lie on your side for ~10min, the warm oil softens the wax up then you can (carefully) take a Q-Tip to it.

Think you can do the same with the warm oil and a dropper.

[wop]

Hopi Ear Candling treatment is the solution.

BBC - South East Wales Mind, Body and Spirit - Hopi Ear Candling by Laura Warren

Laura Warren, a complementary health practitioner in Cardiff, offers some tips about one of her specialities.





Hopi Ear Candling, or Thermo Auricular Therapy as it is also known, can be used to treat many conditions of the ear, nose and throat area.

The candles work by vapourising their ingredients once lit, causing convectional air flow towards the first chamber of the ear. The candle creates a mild suction which lets the vapours gently massage the eardrum and auditory canal. Once the candle is placed in the ear it forms a seal which enables wax and other impurities to be drawn out of the ear.

There is evidence of ear candling from all over the world, from Siberia, Asia and the native communities of North and South America.

It is the Hopi Indians of north-east Arizona that lend their name to the treatment. They used candles in medicinal ceremonies and initiations to clear negative energies from the head and aura.

The candles can be used today as a relaxing treatment to ease away the stresses of our Western culture and to address a number of problems relating to the ear, neck and face areas.

The Hopi Ear Candles used in my treatment sessions are Biosun candles. These are one of the only EU standard candles on the market. They are specially designed with a safety filter and a red line marked on them to designate the maximum burn level. Biosun candles are made from linen, pure beeswax, honey extract, and essential oil of St John's wort, chamomile and sage.


What can be treated with Hopi Ear Candles?


Tinitus, compacted ear wax and glue ear
Sore throats and hay fever
Headache and migraine
Sinusitis and rhinitis
Catarrh and asthma
Vertigo
Menier's Disease
Neuralgia

What cannot be treated with Hopi Ear Candles?


Perforation or lack of eardrum
Ventilation tubes, auricular drains or grommets
Recent ear surgery
Auricular cysts
Acute mastoiditis
Otosclerosis or Otospongiosis
Ear tumour

If you are in doubt about any of these conditions or problems you have with your ear you must consult your GP before attending a treatment.


What does the treatment include?


A short consultation about medications and ear conditions
An ear examination
A candle is then put in the first ear and lit (this lasts approximately 9-11 minutes)
The ear is then cleaned
The second ear is then treated and cleaned
There is a facial massage to improve circulation and energy flow to the area
The client will be asked to drink a glass of water to rehydrate
The candles can then be examined to identify problems with the ear and ascertain whether further treatments are needed

more info and prices :-
Hopi Ear Candles and Ear Candling by Lynne Hancher
TREAT BALHAM . Treatments


Beauty clinics, and even sometimes massage and spa's have this treatment available.

I usually do it once every 6 months, along with other treatments when I'm in a spa.

[Cheerios]

If you jam it down the canal, sure. But Q-tips are not meant for that purpose.



As they advertise, they suggest only using it on the outer canal (The visible part of the ear obviously). Anyone that goes jamming one down the inner canal deserves to have an ear infection or worse.

Or you can clean the inside gently without, you know, jamming it in like a retard.

I wouldn't suggest Q-Tips if you have parkinson's, though.

[miokomioko]

Get a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide and a wash cloth. Put on something to watch on the TV and you may need some assistance.

Lay on your side, one ear sticking straight up, as level as possible, probably with a small pillow under your head/neck. Pour the Hydrogen Peroxide into your ear up to the brim of the canal.

It will be cold, fizzy, and bubbly and sound like it's in the middle of your head. Kinda' tickles the inside of your ear canal. Manipulate and move around your outter ear to get it as worked in there as much as possible, as well as making chewing motions.

After a good 15+minutes or so, or when it finally stops bubbling (the longer it's in, the better) take the wash cloth and put it on your ear and flip sides so it drains out onto the cloth.

Out comes globs of earwax you never knew you even had in there that cotton swabs couldn't reach if they tried.

Repeat.



I know it kinda' sounds sketchy/weird, but shit it feels good afterwards. Just the tickling feels weird and makes you wish you could scratch in the inside of your head.

[antihero]

cancer

[wop]

Get a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide and a wash cloth. Put on something to watch on the TV and you may need some assistance.

Lay on your side, one ear sticking straight up, as level as possible, probably with a small pillow under your head/neck. Pour the Hydrogen Peroxide into your ear up to the brim of the canal.

It will be cold, fizzy, and bubbly and sound like it's in the middle of your head. Kinda' tickles the inside of your ear canal. Manipulate and move around your outter ear to get it as worked in there as much as possible, as well as making chewing motions.

After a good 15+minutes or so, or when it finally stops bubbling (the longer it's in, the better) take the wash cloth and put it on your ear and flip sides so it drains out onto the cloth.

Out comes globs of earwax you never knew you even had in there that cotton swabs couldn't reach if they tried.

Repeat.



I know it kinda' sounds sketchy/weird, but shit it feels good afterwards. Just the tickling feels weird and makes you wish you could scratch in the inside of your head.

~WTF
Hydrogen Peroxide is a bleaching agent and some forms are pretty acidic which will damage your eardrums, internal ears whatever.

DO NOT follow this.

Frankly speaking, I wouldn't trust any of DIY kits or whatever. Just go to a beauty clinic or doctor and ask for PROPER treatment.

[Kerberoz]

The stuff you buy in drug stores is extremely diluted; it won't harm your ears and really does work to unblock them.

[Altanass]

I had an ear wax problem earlier this year. When i used the solution given to me by a hospital doctor, it actually didnt help much at all. I think it lodged wax onto the eardrum and I lost hearing in my ear lol.

I then went back to my local GP (local family doctor) and was told that the use of chemical solutions are regarded as old fashioned these days, and that a more effective way to remove ear wax is to use olive oil instead. You need to warm it up before hand, then just use a dropper to put several drops into the ear. Put a piece of cotton wool in the ear. You then go after a week or so to the doctor to have the wax flushed out with their syringe/water jet thing.

I had experienced the same problem as the OP, the chemical solution didnt soften the wax, so when u go to have it flushed out your ears really hurt from the strong water jetting into your ear. When you use olive oil to really soften the wax, the process is a whole lot more bearable.

[Pikarya]

Get a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide and a wash cloth. Put on something to watch on the TV and you may need some assistance.

This works fine as long as your ears are in normal condition (no ruptured eardrums, infections, whatever).

Also make sure to never use any Hydrogen Peroxide concentration larger than 3%. Rinse your ear with lukewarm water.

Any Otologist will tell you the same.

[miokomioko]

I suppose I should have specified the dillution for the resident chemists ready to flip out. I'm talking about the weak shit you dump on your kids' cuts and scrapes.

[Shenrien]

^ Feels good also.

I get a warm tingly feeling that makes me smile when I do it, so I do it often.

my psychics teacher always said "If it feels good, do it."

[Pikarya]

obligatory

http://i29.tinypic.com/34euhpc.jpg

[Kadrian]

I have a very small ear canal so anything that goes into my ear, usually does not come out. I have to go to the doctor about every 6mo and have my ears flushed. The warm water feels very good and I think I am getting addicted to the sensation.

I have also tried Hydrogen Peroxide and it works as well. The bubbling breaks up the ear wax and allows it to float to the surface. Rubbing Alcohol is used when you get water in your ears or something and it won't come out. Put a couple of drops of Alcohol in your ear and let it sit for a minute, then lean your head to the side and let the liquid leak out. The Alcohol dries up the excess water in your ears, which I also have a problem with. Every time I go swimming, I always have ear infections if I don't thoroughly dry my ears.

I can't use Q-Tips on the inside of my ears because my ear canal is too narrow and the Q-Tip will get stuck. Not fun... But I do enjoy clean ears since I constantly wear my hair up, so I use a washcloth on the outside of my ears when I get out of the shower.

[Jefe]

First time I went to Malibu Beach I came back with an ear infection ;/ I can't let water inside or it hurts really bad. I remember that fucking excruciating pain waking me up in the middle of the night. Last time I saw the doc, they flushed them and it felt like they were drilling my head, shit was really painful. I use Q-Tips every day, just clean the outer and inerish area. Eventually the body will expel any excess.