Everyone has wax in their ear, what will be called cerumen. If you feel like your ear is full, notice discharge, or have difficulty hearing from time to time, you will need to remove excess earwax.
There are several ways to do this, but ear candling is one of the oldest and most common methods across the world. Although there is some controversy about their effectiveness, alternative treatment professionals consider them to be an effective way to care for your ear
What are ear candles?
Ear candles are also called ear cones, hollow candles that can be used to clean the ear. With a length of 20-30 cm, they are made from beeswax, essential oils, gauze, powdered plants, and cotton. Ear candles are used for earwax and to relieve ear problems like tinnitus.
This ancestral technique was used by the Hopi Indians to regenerate themselves. It is a good old method passed down by the Elders, the concept softened using heat, the earwax installed throughout the ear canal to clean the ears.
Today, these small hollow ear candles approximately 20 cm long are used in many countries by followers of alternative medicine, but their effectiveness is debated. Worse still some specialists are calling for a boycott, dimming them as dangerous. For some believers, these accessories are first and foremost a source of well-being and relaxation.
You feel invaded by a beneficial and voluptuous warmth. As if the crackling of the candle made you lighter, serene, and peaceful. One session per week we do you the greatest good. Faced with the supposed dangerousness of candles, the experts point out certain disrespectful manufacturers who do not provide a secure instrument
Application of ear candle
- Wash your hands and ear before you start using the candle, you must wash your hands and wipe your ear. This helps reduce the risk of transmitting bacteria that could cause infection using a mild antibacterial and antimicrobial soap.
- You can also wash your hands with simple soap. If possible, use a mild antibacterial and antimicrobial soap instead.
- Wipe your ear with soft clothes when using ear candles, a second person should always be present to assist and prevent injury or accidents.
Here is how to use ear candles correctly:
- Lie on your side and rest your head on the healthy year
- Insert the candle vertically into the ear using a rotating motion to seal the ear canal
- A damp towel placed around the ear helps cash any falling ashes
- The ear candles can now be lit. The warm air then enters the ear.
- The ear candle should burn out completely and normally go out on its own
Find the right size candle for your ear
The candle you choose should be tailored to the size and contour of your ear. This allows you to use it efficiently and safely.
Cut the end with scissors so that it becomes slightly wider and fills the entrance to the ear canal. Make sure the end is open. There must be an unobstructed passage from one end of the candle to the other. If necessary, use a sharp object to remove the plugs on both ends
Ear candles: the opinion of a doctor
Ear candles are ineffective: Ear candles are supposed to eliminate the ear wax produced by the ear by creating a depression inside the ear canal. And by softening a possible blockage. However, various scientific experiments have shown that these two phenomena do not occur when using candles; however, to prove the effectiveness of these candles, some influencers do not hesitate to film their supposed earwax placed on the candle.
The residue that we find at the end of the candle after use is works debris produced by the candle itself. Several studies have shown that the use of ear candles is not effective in removing ear wax blockages, the specialist explained
Can ear candles be dangerous?
Ineffective, these ear candles can also be dangerous. A certain number of accidents (fortunately infrequent) have been noted: ear burns, wax debris on the eardrum, or even perforation of the eardrum.
For all of these reasons, ear candles are strongly discouraged by ENT specialists. ENT specialists warn that, even if used correctly, ear candles pose a health risk and may even be dangerous for the user. Additionally, hot wax from candles can block ears or even eardrums injury. Additionally, using ear candles without caution can cause small fires.
What are the Right actions for Good ear hygiene?
Before knowing the right actions for good ear hygiene, it is important to understand the essential rule of earwax, this wax is naturally produced by the ear to lubricate the skin of the ear canal, foreign bodies, and bacteria. If its color (orange-brown most of the time) makes you think wrongly that the ear is dirty, its presence is necessary and the earwax should not be removed unless it completely obstructs the ear.
On the other hand, the earwax located at the entrance to the ear can be removed because it is neither useful nor aesthetic. The inside of the ear does not require care, says the ENT. In the event of a blockage, commercially available drugs or the introduction of water into the ear may prove effective or facilitate extraction by the doctor.
The specialist would like to point out that any action aimed at cleaning the inside of the ear should be avoided because it risks, at best, settling the earwax at the bottom of the ear (and therefore creating a blockage), at worst, the skin of the ear or the eardrum
Talk to your doctor about professional treatment. If you can’t remove earwax at home or notice other problems like severe hearing loss, talk to your doctor about different treatments to unclog your ears. This will help you get the most effective, least invasive, and least painful method for earwax buildup. Your doctor may also recommend professional treatment to do at home, such as drugs or irrigation.
