How to clean your ears: what to do and what not to do
The ears usually clean themselves naturally. Cleaning the ears does not mean completely depriving them of the minimum amount of existing earwax because earwax is very important for the ear canal as it keeps dust and the action of external agents away. However, there are cases where this layer of ear wax increases causing discomfort, strange noises and hearing problems. This is the time to run for cover for a more thorough and complete cleaning of both the external part of the auricle and the internal one. You won't need any chemicals, there are many natural remedies that are particularly effective for cleaning your ears. For example, did you know that sweet almond oil is an excellent emollient capable of dissolving and softening the hardest ear wax?
How to understand if there is excess earwax
There are cases in which the cerumen normally contained in the ear exceeds the standard levels and causes some discomfort. The most common symptoms of ear wax plugs are hearing loss, acute pain inside the ear, itching, the perception of buzzing or whistling and the secretion of foul-smelling liquid. Having excess earwax is not the norm: a gentle and thorough cleaning is essential to avoid creating damage. If you happen to find yourself with earwax plugs very often, consult an otolaryngologist who will be able to show you how to definitively solve the problem. Cleaning the ears must in no case be complete: a little ear wax is useful for the ear to protect it and also to dampen the area and usually the movement of the jaw alone is already sufficient to avoid the accumulation of ear wax.
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The most effective natural remedies to clean the ears
If you have noticed that a wax plug has formed, you can start massaging the back of the ear. This massage allows you to soften the waxy substance and facilitate its elimination. It will also help you to move your jaw in various directions to cause the ear wax to detach from the ear canal. Hydrogen peroxide is also a valid method for removing ear wax.
Usually you mix half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with half a cup of warm water and pour the solution into a dropper so you can easily dose the liquid. Just pour a few drops into the ear with the cap, while lying down and wait 5 minutes. By lifting your head and turning to let the liquid out you will immediately notice an improvement. A valid alternative to hydrogen peroxide is then olive oil: the procedure does not change, you just need to replace lukewarm olive oil with hydrogen peroxide to clean your ears effectively. See what result? Now that you've taken care of cleaning your ears, you can make them even more beautiful with a pair of earrings!
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The ears are very delicate sensory organs, so you must always move carefully. A particularly suitable natural remedy is that of the hot bottle. Take a bottle and fill it with hot water. Place it on your ear for 30 minutes. Just touching it will soften the heat and make cleaning easy. Many people prefer ear irrigation to get rid of earwax: just insert one of the needle-free syringes that you find on the market rich in emollients into the ear and leave it to act for a few minutes. These are very delicate and non-aggressive washes for the ears. Or you can prepare a chamomile tea, which should be used lukewarm. You will need it to gently rinse your ear as if it were a wash of those you find in the pharmacy (but super natural).
Finally, another alternative way to clean the ears and prevent the formation of ear wax is represented by emollient drops, the ceruminolytics, which dissolve the very hard ear wax from the auricle and the ear canal and facilitate removal. Emollient drops often contain natural oils, sweet almond oil, petroleum jelly or glycerin. After having softened the earwax, the next cleaning is carried out thanks to specific washes or with cones on sale in pharmacies.
What not to do to clean your ears
Do not use cotton swabs to clean the ears. The temptation is there but it is better to proceed with the cleaning operations without ever introducing foreign bodies that could even push the earwax plug further in. So avoid the cotton buds in any case! If you have a perforated eardrum, do not try any of these home remedies but contact a specialist who will be able to advise you on a cleaning method that is suitable for you. Likewise, do not use any of these remedies for children under the age of twelve. Also in this case it is a must to have the opinion of a doctor!
People with hearing problems need to be very careful when cleaning. We are talking about people who for work or for sport are forced to wear ear plugs often, such as swimmers, but also of elderly people with reduced or compromised hearing or wearers of hearing aids. To avoid causing damage to the hearing system, it is good to consult a specialist if you suspect the presence of earwax plugs.
