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Top 10 Natural Ways to Remove Ear Wax at Home
Photo credit: bigstock
Ear wax is a totally natural substance that the gland in your ear canal makes to protect them as well as lubricate them. Its main function is to stop bacteria and other external agents from gaining entry or allowing the ears to become infected.
There is a slow and orderly process going on inside your ear by which wax and skin cells make their way to the outside of the ear so they can be easily removed. This process works well most of the time; however, sometimes ear wax gets dry and becomes stuck, sometimes impacted, inside the ear. Unfortunately we only make things worse when we stick bobby pins or cotton swabs inside our ears, which push wax further down the ear canal.
Sometimes wax builds up inside the ear due to a narrowing of the passage in the ear canal. This sometimes occurs with infections, skin diseases, or connective tissue problems. Occasionally there is a less fluid form of wax, or even an excessive production of wax, due to a lack of zinc, magnesium, or even omega-3 fatty acids.
Of course, you can always go to your doctor to have this wax removed, but why spend the money and time (not to mention the pain) of having a doctor do something that you can safely, and painlessly, do yourself at home?
Take a look at the top 10 natural ways you can remove ear wax yourself, in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
This is a very effective way to deal with excessive ear wax. Peroxide softens the wax and the effervescent compounds bring the wax closer to the surface for easier removal.
Mix equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide in a cup.
Fill an eye dropper with this solution and empty the eye dropper into your ear.
Wait about 5 minutes, then tilt your head to let the solution run out, then use a clean cloth to remove any wax you can find near the outer part of the ear. Repeat if you need to.
2. Baby Oil
You can soften ear wax so it’s easier to remove by using baby oil.Follow the same instructions as you did with hydrogen peroxide except don’t mix the oil with water.
3. Glycerin
This is a popular method for softening ear wax. You can follow the same instructions as you would for hydrogen peroxide but don’t mix with water and allow the glycerin to sit in your ear for a few hours.
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Photo credit: bigstock
4. Salt Water
This is possibly the oldest and most popular method to remove ear wax.
Mix one teaspoon of salt in a half cup of warm water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
Soak in cotton ball in the saline solution, then squeeze the cotton ball over the affected ear so that a few drops fall into the ear canal.
Keep your head tilted so the water does not come out. Allow this solution to remain in the ear for about 5 minutes.
Tilt your head to remove all the saline solution, and then remove wax with a clean cloth.
5. Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol
This is another remedy from your grandmother’s time to remove excess ear wax. This method also works great to remove water from “swimmers ear”.
Mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol and plain white vinegar in a bowl.
Soak a cotton ball in this solution and squeeze the cotton ball so three or four drops fall into the affected ear.
Wait 5 minutes, then tilt your head to remove as much of the solution as possible.
Remove the ear wax with a clean cloth.
6. Olive Oil
This is a simple way to soften the wax so it comes out more easily. Olive oil also has antiseptic compounds so it can reduce the risk of developing an ear infection.
Slightly warm a bit of olive oil. Don’t make it too hot or you will burn the ear!
Put three or four drops of the warm oil into the affected ear using a dropper.
Leave the oil inside the ear for about 10 minutes to soften the wax.
Tilt your head sideways to remove the oil, and then clean the wax with a dry cloth.
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Photo credit: bigstock
7. Almond Oil
This is another light oil that is good for removing ear wax.
Fill an eye dropper with almond oil that is at room temperature.
Put 5 drops of the oil into the affected ear.
Allow the oil to sit inside the ear for about 15 minutes.
Tilt your head and remove both the oil and the wax with a clean cloth.
8. Baking Soda
This is a great remedy to remove excess wax from the ears.
Mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda into two tablespoons of water.
Put 3 or 4 drops of this solution in the affected ear.
Allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
Flush out the solution with warm water in a rubber-bulb syringe.
You should see the wax come out but if not, clean the ear with a dry cloth.
9. Warm Water
If the wax buildup isn’t too big and the wax isn’t too hard, simply flushing the ear with warm water should remove it.
Fill a rubber-bulb syringe with slightly warm water.
Tilt your head and pull on the outer part of the ear to straighten out the ear canal.
Put a small amount of water into the ear and allow to sit for one minute.
Flush the ear with the remaining water in the syringe.
Dry with a clean cloth.
10. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
No, you aren’t going to pour these in your ear, but rather you will use this to try to prevent a buildup in the first place. One of the most common causes of wax buildup is a deficiency in omega-3. You can buy these supplements in any health food store. Take a directed.
If you are still unable to remove the wax, see your doctor. You should also see a doctor if you have acute ear pain, fever, or drainage from the ear.
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