Want to clean your ears? Just don’t use cotton swabs

Safe ways to clean ears: If your earwax is built up and impacting your hearing, see a doctor. The doctor will professionally clean your ear, using syringe to gently pump warm water into the ear (Image: Canva)

Most body parts are fairly easy to keep clean. Rub some soap on and rinse it off. One area that may be a little trickier? Your ears. As ear wax accumulates, it may be tempting to stick a cotton swab in your canal to clear it out. But that can be dangerous and damage your ear canal.

So, how are you supposed to clean your ears? Below are tips on the safest way to clean your ears, reveal how often to do it and what happens if you don’t keep this part of your body clean.

What is the best way to clean your ears?

Before diving into how to clean your ears, it’s important to go over techniques you should avoid. “It is advised to avoid placing any items inside the ears, such as cotton swabs, since this can cause damage to the canal or even rupture the thin and delicate tympanic membrane, which can lead to hearing loss,” says Dr Joaquin Villegas, a family medicine physician at UTHealth Houston, in an interview to nbcnews.com.  “Cotton swabs can still be used for the cleaning of the outer ear but should not be inserted into the inner ear.”

Also read | Causes, symptoms of ear infections: Best home remedies to protect ears during rainy season

Instead, here are a few techniques you can apply:

• Use a damp cloth: Moisten a washcloth with warm water and gently clean the outer part of your ear. Do not stick the cloth in your inner ear.

• Try ear drops: You can use ear drops to loosen wax for a few days. It will soften enough to come out independently.

• See a doctor: If your earwax is built up and impacting your hearing, see a doctor. The doctor will professionally clean your ear, using syringe to gently pump warm water into the ear.

How often should you clean your ears?

How often you clean your ears depends on how quickly ear wax builds up in your ear. Dr Villegas told nbcnes.com, “Patients with more cerumen accumulation may sometimes need more frequent cleaning but it should not be a daily occurrence. Too-frequent cleaning can paradoxically lead to higher rates of ear infection since earwax is the body’s natural way of protecting against infections.”

Also read | Are your daily habits hurting your hearing? 8 threats you must be aware of

Here are some popular ear drops available in India:

• Otoclean Ear Drops: These drops contain a combination of glycerin and carbamide peroxide, which helps to soften and dissolve earwax.
• Waxsol Ear Drops: This product contains carbamide peroxide, which is effective in breaking down earwax.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.