Looking for an easy ways to clean your ears of wax? There are a few proven age-old ear wax removal solutions that dislodge the wax, making it easier to soften and remove it without spending hefty amounts on ENT specialists.
Deep accumulation of ear wax inside the ear canal causes blockage and discomfort. People who use ear plugs or some hearing aid are more receptive to ear wax blockage.
Symptoms of ear wax problem
1. Dizziness is one of the severe warning symptoms
2. Ringing in the ear
3. Discharge from the ear canal
4. Decreased hearing and earache
Things to avoid:
1. Never use any pointed object such as bobby pins inside the ear to remove wax. It rather pushes the ear wax more inside into the ear.
2. Putting hot oil in ears to clean wax is also not recommended. It may burn the skin inside ears and ear drums causing infection too.
3. Suction technique is also not safe to remove wax.
4. Avoid consuming dairy products in severe cases.
Easy and safe home solutions for ear wax:
1. Olive or almond oil
Tilt your ear towards the ceiling and put two to three drops of olive oil or almond oil into it. Cover the ear opening with a cotton ball to prevent oil from oozing out. Leave it for five minutes. Remove the cotton ball and tilt your ear in opposite direction to drain out the extra oil contaminated with wax. Clean the ear opening with a soft cotton cloth. The softened wax will get removed.
2. Salt solution
Mix one teaspoon of salt in half cup of warm water. Tilt your ear towards the ceiling and put few drops of this solution into the ear. Stay in the same position for five minutes. Tilt your head in opposite direction to drain out the excess salty water. Clean the outer part with a soft cotton cloth to remove the softened wax.
3. White vinegar solution
Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in a bowl. Tilt your ear towards the ceiling and put two to three drops of this solution into the ear soaking a cotton ball into it. Wait for five minutes. Tilt your ear in the opposite direction. The extra solution and wax will come out. Clean the outer surface with a clean cotton cloth to wipe away the wax.
4. Hydrogen peroxide solution
Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide (three percent) and water. Tilt your ear towards the ceiling and put four to five drops of this solution into the ear with the help of a dropper or a cotton ball. Leave for five minutes. Tilt the head to the opposite side to drain out the solution. Wipe away the ear wax using a soft cotton cloth.
5. Homeopathic ear drops
Homeopathic ear drops and ear wax removal kits are available in the market which provides a good solution for flushing out ear wax. Read the labels and follow the instructions carefully. They can help to remove the chronic earwax blockage by softening the hard ear wax.
6. Food to have
Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts, avocados, salmon and flax seeds in your diet. These foods are good to mitigate the problem of ear wax.
Be careful while following these home remedies as ear is a sensitive organ of your body. The wax implication may worsen due to some minor mistake. If there is no relief even after trying such cures, visit your doctor at the earliest.
Note: Don’t follow these solutions if you have a hole or tube in your ear drum.