How to Get Rid of Earwax Buildup at Home

First, you must be aware that earwax is a natural cleaner, so in principle you don't need to clean away the substance. Sometimes, the wax may cause a blockage which can result in hearing problems or an infection, so you need to go to a specialist to remove the blockage. However, there are people who are concerned about the presence of wax in their ears and want to get rid of it. If you suspect that you have an earwax buildup, the most common symptoms are:

• Noises or ringing inside the ear.
• Itching and a secretion of fluid from the inner ear.
• Earache and/or hearing loss.

Over time, a number of methods have become popular to get rid of earwax buildup at home which may pose a health risk. Therefore, you must avoid cleaning earwax in the following ways:

• Do not use cotton buds or other similar objects, as they can damage the eardrum as well as placing pressure on the wax, pushing it further inside the ear.
• Don't introduce substances that can irritate the inner ear, as this skin is very sensitive and easily damaged.
• Don't try to clean your ear if you have a perforated eardrum, as you can damage your ear and cause an infection.
• Don't use home remedies to remove ear wax if you feel any pain in your ears.

If you feel you have unwanted wax inside your ear, one of the first things you can do is massage the outside area with your hand in a circular motion without exerting too much pressure and then gently pull your ear back. In this way, you'll ensure any adhering wax is loose and you will make it easier for it to come out.

Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most commonly used products as a home remedy for removing earwax. Heat up a little water, without allowing it to become too hot so you avoid damaging your inner ear and add a little hydrogen peroxide, also known as carbamide peroxide. Lie on the bed so your ear is facing upwards and introduce a few drops into your inner ear, without using any utensil. Just allow the drops to trickle down into the inner ear. After a few minutes, switch sides and expose the other ear upwards, so the drops leave the first ear and you can introduce the hydrogen peroxide to the exposed ear.

Another good option for removing earwax is to develop a homemade saline solution. To do this, just mix a tablespoon of salt in half a cup of water. Once you have the saline solution, soak some gauze in it and allow a few drops into the ear canal, following the instructions above.

Similarly, you can do this with paraffin oil, which is a product that can be bought in most pharmacies. Once you have it, heat up a little of this oil and introduce a few drops to your ear as before and wait a few minutes for it to take effect. Then wash your ear out with a little water.

Glycerine is another product that is a good natural remedy for removing earwax. It can be bought in pharmacies. In order to use it for earwax removal, you should follow the same steps as the above home remedies. Also, a little olive oil is another product you can use that you will usually have to hand. Heat up a little olive oil, without allowing it to reach too high a temperature. It should only be lukewarm.

Finally, chamomile can also be effective for removing earwax, and the process is also very simple. Prepare an infusion of this plant and leave it to cool until it is a warm temperature. Strain the contents to get rid of any plant material, or else this could get into the ears. Chamomile drops can be used to clean the ears after introducing the drops of olive oil.

You must not forget that the ear is very sensitive and can be easily damaged. So, in order to avoid any damage, it is not advisable to get rid of earwax buildup at home if you feel that you are suffering from any infection. If you feel any pain or feel like your ear is blocked, if any fluid comes out or you have any other symptoms, you should go to a specialist so your inner ear health can be checked. In addition, it is advisable to visit a specialist periodically to review the ear health of your young children.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Get Rid of Earwax Buildup at Home, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.