Most of the time, there is a slow and orderly migration process inside the ear canal in which earwax and skin cells are transported from the eardrum to the ear opening, where it can be easily removed.
However, problems can occur when there is a blockage or impaction of earwax. It can accumulate deep inside the ear canal mainly due to the use of objects, such as bobby pins, Q-tips or cotton swabs, which ultimately push the wax deep inside the ear. People who use ear plugs or hearing aidsare also more prone to earwax blockage.
Excessive earwax also may buildup due to a narrowing of the ear canal resulting from some kind of infection or disease of the skin, bones or connective tissue.
It can also happen due to production of a less fluid form of cerumen or overproduction of cerumen due to some trauma or blockage within the ear canal. Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and magnesium can also produce more earwax.
Some of the signs and symptoms of accumulation of excessive earwax are earache, feeling of fullness in the ear, an uncomfortable sensation in the ear, noises in the ear (tinnitus), temporary hearing loss and itching.
You can get help from your family physician or an ear specialist to remove earwax. There are also ear drops and wax removal kits in the market that you can buy.
At the same time, there are many simple natural remedies to unblock and remove hardened earwax from your ears. With any of the home remedies, you may need to repeat them several times depending on the extent of the wax accumulation. However, do not use this remedies if you have a perforated ear drum and get the problem treated by a professional.
1. Salt Water
Salt water is the best earwax removal solution that can be used at home. It can soften the wax accumulated inside the ear, making it easy to get rid of.
1. Mix one teaspoon of salt in one-half cup of warm water until the salt dissolves completely.
2. Soak a cotton ball in the saline solution.
3. Tilt the affected ear up toward the sky. Squeeze the cotton ball to put a few drops of the saline water into the ear.
4. Stay in the same position for three to five minutes.
5. Next, tilt your head in the opposite direction to allow the saline water to drain out.
6. Clean the outer part of your ear with a clean cloth to remove the softened wax.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another very effective remedy for excess earwax accumulation. Due to its effervescent property, hydrogen peroxide can remove the earwax and debris from the ear canal very easily.
- Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and water.
- Fill an ear dropper with this solution.
- Tilt your head sideways and put a few drops of this solution into the ear.
- Leave it for some time, and then tilt your head towards the opposite side to drain out the solution.
- Using a clean cloth, remove the wax that you can see near the outer ear.
3. Baby Oil
To soften earwax and facilitate its removal, you can also use baby oil.
- Fill an ear dropper with baby oil.
- Tilt the affected ear toward the sky and put two to five drops of the baby oil into the ear.
- Place a cotton ball at the ear opening to prevent oil from oozing out.
- Leave it for several minutes.
- Remove the cotton ball and tilt your head the opposite direction to drain out the extra oil.
- Clean the ear opening with a soft cloth.
4. Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol
An age-old remedy to remove excess wax from your ear is a vinegar and rubbing alcohol solution.
The mixture will help dissolve the earwax. Plus, the alcohol will serve as a drying agent and evaporate at a low temperature and the vinegar will fight bacteria and fungi, and hence prevent any kind of ear infection.
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a bowl.
- Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
- Tilt the affected ear toward the sky and then squeeze two or three drops of this solution into the ear.
- Wait for five minutes and tilt your head to the opposite direction so that gravity can bring out the solution as well as the wax.
- Remove the earwax from the outer ear with an ear bud.
This remedy can also be used to treat swimmer’s ear.
5. Warm Water
Flushing your ear with warm water will also help get rid of excess earwax. The gentle force of the water will dislodge the wax, making it easier to remove. Be sure to use only clean and filtered water.
- Fill a rubber-bulb syringe with slightly warm water (body temperature).
- Tilt your head upright and pull the outer ear to straighten the ear canal.
- Use the syringe to put a small amount of water into the ear canal.
- Leave it for a minute and then drain it out by tilting your head to the opposite side.
- Clean away the water and earwax that has come out of the ear with a clean cloth.
6. Olive Oil
Another simple way to remove excess earwax is olive oil. Olive oil can soften the wax, making it easier to come out of the ear. Also, its antiseptic properties will reduce the risk of ear infection.
- Slightly warm some olive oil.
- Using a dropper, put three or four drops of the warm oil into the affected ear.
- Allow it to settle for 10 minutes so that the earwax becomes soft.
- Tilt your head sideways and remove the oil and wax with ear buds.
Alternatively, you can also use mustard oil.
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