A buildup of earwax can be a distressing experience for many people. Earwax is a natural material that develops in the ears, but sometimes your body may produce too much wax that builds up and leads to hearing issues, ringing sounds, dizziness, and other symptoms. The pressure of the buildup in addition to decreased hearing can lead to some serious problems.
If you're dealing with too much earwax, here are some tips that can help you clear out your ears.
Use a Saline Solution
Saline solutions are gentle and useful for eliminating earwax. You can simply wet a cotton ball with the solution and then squeeze some of the liquid into the ear as your problem ear is tilted toward the sky. You can find saline solutions made to clear out your ears in stores, though you may find that they are not strong enough to clear your ears.
Use Other Liquids
In some cases, saline solution does not do enough. You may need to use a hydrogen peroxide and water solution or mineral oil. If your ear has too much moisture inside, you may need to use a combination of alcohol and white vinegar.
Do Not Cause More Damage
While it may be tempting to try to use a cotton swab to dig the wax out of your ear, do not do this. Cotton swabs should only be used to clean the surfaces of your ear that you can see. You should never use the swab inside your ear, as this can actually make the problem worse.
Likewise, you should avoid using an irrigation tool on your own to remove the blockage. This is something a doctor may do, but you should avoid trying to do this yourself. You may ultimately cause more harm to your ears.
Finally, you should also avoid ear candling. This is a dangerous technique that can result in damage to your ears as well as burns to your skin.
See a Doctor
If you frequently have problems with your ears, you should take the time to consult with a doctor about your earwax and hearing issues, especially if this is a frequent problem. You should also note other symptoms, like hearing concerns, fullness inside the ear, earaches, and ringing in the ears.
Contact your local medical center to learn more about your options for managing earwax. Your doctor will confirm whether you are dealing with an infection or something else more serious.