Switch to हिंदी

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Diet | Pregnancy & Parenting | Diseases & Home Remedies | TheHealthSite.com

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Diet | Pregnancy & Parenting | Diseases & Home Remedies | TheHealthSite.com

हिंदी
  • Health A-Z
  • Diabetes
  • Diseases
    • Type 1 Diabetes
    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Cancer
    • Heart Attack
    • Pneumonia
    • Diseases A-Z
  • Diet & Fitness
    • Weight Management
    • Exercise & Body Building
    • Diet & Recipes
    • Yoga
  • Coronavirus
  • News
  • Pregnancy
    • Conceiving
    • Infertility
    • Labour & Delivery
    • Pregnancy week-by-week
    • Breastfeeding
    • Baby Names
  • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Hair
    • Grooming
  • Photos
  • Videos
Home / Diseases & Conditions / 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) on earwax answered

10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) on earwax answered

Are ear candles safe to use? Is ear wax normal? + 8 more common queries answered by an ENT expert.

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti   | | Updated: November 7, 2016 2:49 pm
Tags: Common queries  Ear pain  Earwax  Expert speak  
ear wax

Is earwax normal? — This is the first and most common question we all have when it comes to earwax. How often you should clean the earwax? Is earwax a sign of disease? When does it indicate a medical emergency? And hence, to help you out with a better understanding about earwax and what is normal, our expert Dr Ashim Desai, Senior Consultant ENT, Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Mumbai answers some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on earwax and cleaning the ears. Also read about 6 amazing facts on earwax we bet you didn t know. Also Read - Earache or ear pain: Know the causes and home remedies

Also Read - Cost-effective natural remedies to get rid of hardened earwax



1. How often should one clean the ears? Also Read - Travelling by air with your child? 5 tips to ease ear pain

One should clean their ears when there is an excessive buildup of earwax. If one cleans their ears too often (twice a week or daily) it could lead to excessive dryness and irritation in the ear canal.

2. What is the right way to clean it?

The best way to clean the ear canal is by cleaning the outer portion of the ear with a soft cloth. Additionally, the ear canal can be cleaned with the use of baby oil, mineral oil or commercial ear drops. Here’s more on earwax removal dos and don ts you should know about.

3. When does it indicate an emergency?

If one has excessive pain or irritation in the ears or if you feel difficulty in hearing or loss of hearing, or buzzing sound in the ears due to excessive sensitivity, it is a sign you have to consult an ENT specialist at the earliest. Also read about 8 causes of ear pain everyone should know about.

4. Is earwax normal?

Yes, earwax is perfectly normal and is also healthy in less amount as it acts as a self-cleaning agent in the ear and also has lubricating and antibacterial properties.

5. How should one not clean earwax?

The worst but most common method used to clean earwax is by inserting objects into the ear. Sharp objects like keys and pens can injure the ear and can puncture the ear drum. Additionally, cotton swabs can cause wax blockage as they tend to push the wax further into the ear. This can cause certain levels of deafness, if not done properly. Hence, avoid following these tricks to clean the ear. Here are 10 things you must NEVER put in your ears.

6. Does earwax indicate any health problem?

No, earwax does not indicate any health problems but is a sign of a healthy ear. But if you experience wax blockage quite frequently or any oils and ear drops are not helping you to deal with it, then consult a doctor to know the cause and get treated. Did you know that difficulty while swallowing could indicate ear infection?

7. How can I prevent the excessive buildup of wax?

One cannot stop the process of wax buildup, but frequent cleaning accelerates the process of wax formation and also causes irritation of the ear canal. Hence, the only way to prevent it is clean at regular intervals but not too frequently to avoid excessive earwax formation.

8. Does improper cleaning of earwax cause health problems?

Use of inappropriate cleaning methods of the earwax can damage the ear canal. Sudden pain & swelling, loss of hearing and ear drum perforation can happen which will result in hearing loss and pain.

9. Are ear candles safe to use?

It is a common belief that use of ear candles to clean the ear creates a vacuum and hence, helps in cleaning earwax. However, this is not true as it is not a safe practice to use ear candles as it can lead to loss of hearing. Here’s more on things you should NEVER do to your ears!

10. Do we have to clean all the earwax?

Not necessarily as the ear canal is self-cleaning and, only excessive wax buildup needs to be removed with the use of external products. The excess residue can be removed with the help of wax dissolving ear drops available in the market.

Read this in Hindi.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Read this In Marathi

Published : October 6, 2016 4:06 pm | Updated:November 7, 2016 2:49 pm
Read Disclaimer

Scientists find a new and effective way to ease depression

Scientists find a new and effective way to ease depression

8 causes of hallucinations you need to know of

8 causes of hallucinations you need to know of

Please Wait. Article Loading ....

Coronavirus Updates

Coronavirus Updates

Stay Informed, Be Safe

  • Covid tongues: Many patients suffering from strange coronavirus symptoms not yet listed by WHO
  • Adverse events post Covid-19 vaccination: AIIMS' security guard admitted to ICU
  • COVID-19 Live Updates: Cases in India surge to 10,557,985 while death toll reaches 1,52,274
  • Delhi health workers suffer mild reaction post COVID-19 vaccine: What you should expect 
  • Rapid blood test predicts COVID-19 patients at high risk of severe disease: Study

Health Calculators

BMI Calculator
bmi Calculator
Ideal Body Weight
ideal body weight
Daily Calorie Intake
Daily calorie intake
Calories Burned
calories burned

Related Stories

Earache or ear pain: Know the causes and home remedies

Earache or ear pain: Know the causes and home remedies

Cost-effective natural remedies to get rid of hardened earwax

Cost-effective natural remedies to get rid of hardened earwax

Travelling by air with your child? 5 tips to ease ear pain

Travelling by air with your child? 5 tips to ease ear pain

Garlic and salt could be the best answer to your baby’s ear infection

Garlic and salt could be the best answer to your baby’s ear infection

Follow these tips to reduce your kid’s ear pain during air travel

Follow these tips to reduce your kid’s ear pain during air travel

Health News in Hindi

Corona Vaccine Side Effects: इजरायल में कोरोनावायरस वैक्सीन लेने के बाद 13 लोगों के चेहरे में मारा लकवा

दिशा पटानी ने लिया जलेबी का लुत्फ! आप भी खाते हैं अधिक जलेबी तो जान लें इसके फायदे-नुकसान

Chane ka Saag Benefits: सर्दियों में खूब खाएं चने का साग, इम्यूनिटी बूस्ट होने के साथ होंगे ये 4 फायदे

डायबिटीज रोगी जरूर लें विटामिन-सी वाली डाइट, ब्‍लड शुगर रहेगा कंट्रोल, पढ़ें डायबिटोलॉजिस्ट की सलाह

Delhi Corona Update: स्वास्थ्य मंत्री सत्येंद्र जैन ने कहा, दिल्ली में समाप्त हो गई कोरोनावायरस की तीसरी लहर, लेकिन….

Read All

Recent Posts

  • 50-yr-old bacteria may help your body’s own immune system to kill cancer
  • Weight loss: Dance your way to fitness with ZUMBA
  • Reiki: Japanese healing technique to improve physical and mental health
  • Covid tongues: Many patients suffering from strange coronavirus symptoms not yet listed by WHO
  • Weight loss diet: How to use coconut oil to reduce belly fat

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com
+91 – 22 – 6697 1234
Landline Phone number 91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

Useful Links

  • Weight Loss
  • Keto Diet Tips
  • Skin Care Tips
  • Intermittent Fasting
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Ashwagandha
  • Cancer
  • Pneumonia
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dengue
  • Typhoid
  • Tuberculosis
  • Chickenpox
  • Chikungunya
  • Depression
  • Hepatitis
  • Diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Swine Flu
  • Baby Names
  • Cough and cold
  • Heart Attack
  • Breast Cancer
  • Ebola Virus
  • Dengue
  • Malaria
  • International Yoga Day
  • Hypotension
  • Heart Failure
  • Asthma
  • Brain Tumour
  • Celebrity Fitness
  • Goitre
  • HIV/AIDS

We respect your privacy

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Author Profiles

Copyright © 2021 Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved.