Is Ear Wax Removal Safe?

What is ear wax?

The ear canal has two zones, outer ear canal lined by skin having hair and sweat glands and inner ear canal containing only skin covering bone next to eardrum. Earwax, medically known as cerumen, is a mixture of sweat, secretions from the sebaceous gland and dead cells. Therefore, the amount of secretions you have in your ear wax can be of two major types, wet ear wax and dry ear wax.

Why do some people have more ear wax problems/ build-up?

The first thing to know is everyone makes wax, and some naturally more and some less. Secondly, the shape of the ear canal can predispose you to have more earwax problems. You may have a hairy ear canal or narrow ear canal, which can trap more than the usual amount of ear wax you produce. Thirdly, if produce ear wax which gets stuck to the ear canal, it becomes difficult to fall out. Some people may push ear wax in if they are using insert headphones, i.e. earpods, earplugs for noise reduction or swimming/hearing aids.

What are the symptoms of ear wax?

Ear wax can present issues such as hearing loss, tinnitus (buzzing in the ear), itchy ear, earache, ear infection or chronic cough. If you have these symptoms visiting your GP, pharmacist, nurse or ENT surgeon will be useful.

How does ear wax affect hearing loss and dementia patients?

Ear wax can block the sound signal reaching the eardrum. This cause hearing loss and in some cases, tinnitus. Therefore clearing ear wax can help with hearing and tinnitus in some cases.

What is the best home treatment for ear wax?

In most cases, the ear wax should fall out on its own when softened using ear drops. You can get olive oil ear drops, or sodium bicarbonate ear drops or syringing home kits. In most cases, it is ideal to use these if you don't have a perforated eardrum, previous ear infections or grommet (ventilation tubes) in your eardrum. If you have a very hairy outer ear canal, using a hair trimmer can help.

How is ear wax removed?

Ear wax can be removed by syringing or ear micro-suction. Ear syringing should be avoided in immunocompromised patients, i.e. diabetes, elderly, patients with a thin or perforated eardrum.

Ear micro-suction is the safest and best way to remove ear wax. Using earbud can push ear wax deeper.

Is ear wax candle safe for wax removal?

There is no evidence to suggest that wax candle are a safe and effective way of clearing ear wax. It can, in fact, cause complications like burn injuries, perforated eardrum, damage to hearing.

How to prepare for ear micro-suction appointment?

Dewaxing of the ear with micro-suction is done by ENT surgeon or trained specialist nurses or pharmacists. It would be best if you used wax softener ear drops for up to four to five days before your appointment.

What are the complications of ear micro-suction?

Complications of ear micro-suction are very very rare in experienced hands: ear pain, dizziness due to air current within the ear canal, and ear infection. Ear micro suction in some patients with sensitive ears may stimulate a fainting episode. Do discuss with your clinician the cost and exact procedure before you go ahead with the micro-suction procedure.

Helping Patients with Specialist Expertise and Kindness

Mr Gaurav Kumar

Consultant Ear Nose Throat Surgeon

To make an appointment

Book Online

info@entsurgeonclinic.co.uk

07494914140

Disclaimer: For general information only, always seek medical advice from your treating consultant.

Retracted Ear Drum

What Is a Retracted Eardrum? A retracted eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane retraction, is a condition where the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is pulled inward or drawn backwards from its normal position. The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the outer ear to the middle ear, where the auditory ossicles (small bones) are located. Under normal circumstances, the eardrum is slightly concave and positioned at an angle that allows it to respond to changes in air pressure. The Eustachian tube, a tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment. However, in cases of a retracted eardrum, the Eustachian tube might not function correctly or become blocked, leading to an imbalance in pressure. When negative pressure builds up in the middle ear, it causes the eardrum to retract inwa

Boil in the Ear canal can be very painful...

How do I know I have boil in the ear canal? The ear canal is lined by skin up to the eardrum. Skin in the outer third of the ear canal has hair follicles. Hair follicles can get infected with bacteria and can form boil or furunculosis. It is challenging to look in our own ear canal. You can only feel a bump in the ear canal entrance which is tender to touch. Why is so painful when we have boil in the ear? Ear canal skin is very tightly attached to underlying cartilage. So any swelling in the skin stretches it and makes it very sore to touch. How do we get boil in the ear canal? Most common causes of boil in the canal is dryness of the skin and trauma. Dry skin leads to cracks and these cracks can get infected. People who use dry earbuds, fingers, towel edges or pens and traumatise ear canal skin, which can get infected with bacteria. How do I release the temptation of using earbuds? Some people can get very dry skin due to sensitivity to soup, shampoo or dy

"Naseptin: Powerful Defence Against Nasal Bacteria!"

Everything You Need to Know About Using Naseptin Nasal Cream If you've been dealing with nasal issues, you may have come across Naseptin nasal cream as a potential solution. Whether you suffer from recurrent nasal infections (vestibulitis), nose bleeds or simply need some relief from nasal dryness, Naseptin can be a valuable aid. In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about using Naseptin nasal cream to ensure you get the best results from this trusted product. Unlocking the Power of Naseptin Nasal Cream: A Guide to Its Versatile Uses Naseptin nasal cream, a powerful ally in nasal health, holds the key to treating infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This versatile cream offers much more than meets the eye, and we're here to shed light on its incredible benefits! 🌟 👃 Kicking Nose Infections to the Curb: Say goodbye to those troublesome nose infections! Naseptin comes to the rescue, targeting staphylococcal bacteria and effect

Clinical Trials on Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis, characterized by inflammation of the tonsils, has been a subject of medical interest for decades. After a long hiatus without significant trials, the field has seen renewed attention with several pivotal studies. These trials aim to refine surgical treatments and improve patient outcomes, marking a significant step forward in managing recurrent and chronic tonsillitis. Key Research Questions Tonsillotomy vs. Tonsillectomy: Is tonsillotomy as effective as tonsillectomy in reducing sore throat days over 24 months? Surgical Techniques for Tonsillectomy: How does the recovery time compare among extracapsular monopolar tonsillectomy, intracapsular microdebrider tonsillectomy, and intracapsular coblation tonsillectomy? Watchful Waiting vs. Surgical Intervention: What is the impact of tonsillectomy, tonsillotomy, and watchful waiting on the quality of life for adults with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis over six months? The NATTINA Trial The NATTINA tri

Tonsil Stones or Tonsilloliths

Where do Tonsil Stones come from? Tonsil stones or tonsillolith are formed in the tiny crevices on the tonsil surface. Tonsils are present at the back of the throat. Two large tonsils on each side can catch food particles when we eat. This food debris can accumulate bacteria and give a bad smell. This mixture of bacteria and food debris can become solid to form tonsil stones. Can Tonsil Stones go away on their own? Tonsil stones form due to food particle and bacteria. You can prevent stone formation by regularly rinsing mouth after every meal, good oral hygiene and dental care. Gargling with salt water and gentle use of bud to deliver the stones can help in some cases. Soft water floss can help keep tonsil surface clean. If you have, post nasal drip due to sinusitis, seeking treatment advice from ENT surgeon can help. You should not use sharp objects to clean tonsil stones or make tonsil surface bleed. What symptoms do tonsil stones cause? Tonsil ston

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Are you unable to pop your ears or feeling pressure in your ears? Eustachian tube dysfunction is a very common problem after flu or cold or even after long haul flight when you feel hearing is muffled, feel pressure around the ears and sometimes you feel as if you are underwater. Good news is most of the time it is temporary. If you try decongestants, antihistamine ( hay fever tablets ) and Valsalva (ie try and pop your ears) things should improve after a few days to a week. Why do we have symptoms of Eustachian tube dysfunction? The eustachian tube is present at the back of our nose and connects the nose to the middle ear. It is there to maintain equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum. The eustachian tube also helps in clearing normal mucus from the middle ear. Hence opening and closing of this ventilation tube are very important for hearing. Normally every time we yawn and chew this tube opens and closes without us noticing it. So, if this opening of ventilation tube

Vertigo and Dizziness..

Are labyrinthitis and vertigo the same? The ear has three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, with small bones of hearing, and the inner ear, consisting of the labyrinth. The labyrinth has two parts as well, hearing processing part and balance part. When you get an infection in the inner ear, it is often called labyrinthitis. Common symptoms for Labyrinthitis are hearing loss or vertigo, however, there are also other causes for vertigo as well. What is the most important thing to remember when you have labyrinthitis symptoms? In the first few hours of symptoms, it is difficult to know between stroke and labyrinthitis. If you have vertigo and notice one side of your face becoming droopy, your arms or leg become weak and speech becomes slurred, you should call for urgent help. What is the difference between labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis? If you only have vertigo symptoms, then it is due to vestibular neuritis. Vestibular neuritis oc

Biodesign®: Revolutionizing Tissue Repair and Minimally Invasive Ear Surgery

Introduction Advancements in medical technology continue to revolutionize healthcare, and one such groundbreaking innovation is Biodesign®. This platform technology is responsible for a wide range of tissue-repair products that span multiple medical specialities. At the core of Biodesign is a natural extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS), unleashing the potential for transformative treatments in the field of ear surgery and beyond. The ECM: A Guiding Latticework of Cellular Growth The extracellular matrix is a remarkable latticework of proteins and structural molecules present in our tissues. In the context of Biodesign, this ECM plays a pivotal role in guiding cellular growth and facilitating tissue repair. Cook's proprietary processing methodology is the key to harnessing the power of the ECM while preserving its natural matrix molecules like collagen, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans. The Birth of a Scaffold for Regenerat

Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS)

🔍 Unlocking the Mystery of Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS) 🌀✨ It's a rare condition that affects the inner ear, and here's the lowdown: Cause: SCDS occurs when one of the bony canals in the inner ear, particularly the uppermost semicircular canal, doesn't close or thicken properly during fetal development. Symptoms: Hearing Loss: It's a common symptom of SCDS. Sound Distortion: Ever feel like sounds aren't quite right? That could be SCDS at play. Balance Problems: SCDS can throw your balance off, making you feel unsteady. Autophony: Imagine hearing your own heartbeat or breathing louder than usual. That's autophony. World Tumbling Sensation: Loud noises or pressure changes might make you feel like the world is spinning. Diagnosis and Treatment: CT Scans: A specialist might use these to spot SCDS, but other tests are crucial too. Hearing Tests: Essential for accurate diagnosis. Treatment: Surgery may be necessary for severe symptoms.

Pharyngeal Pouch

What is a pharyngeal pouch? When we eat food, it passes through the mouth, into the pharynx (the space behind our oral cavity) and then into the oesophagus (food pipe). In some patients, the lower part of the pharynx can bulge or form a pocket that can collect food and become large enough to compress on the food pipe. This 'hernia' is commonly known as the pharyngeal pouch or Zenker's diverticulum. Is a pharyngeal pouch serious? A pharyngeal pouch is an uncommon condition presenting predominantly in males than females, usually showing after the age of seventy or later. If the pharyngeal pouch is left untreated, it can become more prominent, and the regurgitation of food into the windpipe can lead to chest infections. In sporadic cases, cancer can form in the pouch. What are the symptoms of a pharyngeal pouch? Symptoms of pharyngeal pouch depend on the size. A small pharyngeal pouch mainly presents as a feeling of something stuck in the throat or choking on food, an

ENT conditions (Mr Gaurav Kumar)

Search This Blog

Featured post

Is a Cholesteatoma Life-Threatening?