Ear cleaning must be done carefully and what we usually use is generally to be avoided… here are 3 solutions that you may think are correct and which are in fact to be banned.
In pharmacies, on the Internet, in supermarkets… The offer of accessories and tools to clean your ears is plethoric. However, some of them may be dangerous for the ears and cause a whole lot of damage: pinna burns or ear canal, perforation of the eardrumof the bleeding, infections and even hearing loss. Here is 3 ear accessories to avoid.
1. Cotton swabs (even bamboo)
They are certainly more ecological, but they are to be avoided in the same way as plastic cotton swabs (which, as a reminder, are no longer marketed in France like all single-use and disposable products) because they settle the earwax at the bottom of the ear canal and promote the formation of ear plugs. Similarly, silicone, washable and reusable cotton swabs have the same disadvantages.
2. Seawater cleaning sprays
These sprays can cause irritation and damage the eardrum if used too often. Likewise, avoid clean your ears with the jet of water from the showerheadas this can damage the eardrum and promote the maceration of impurities at the bottom of the duct.
3. Ear candles
These beeswax ear candles are absolutely not recommended by ENT doctors because they are dangerous: the burning wax can flow into the ear canal and cause burns to the pinna, middle ear and ear canal. A hot wax drop can also burn the face, neck or scalp. They have also never shown their effectiveness. In the United States and Canada, their marketing is prohibited. In France, on the other hand, they are authorized… but they must be avoided.
But then… how do you properly clean your ears? With a small curette, a clean handkerchief and finally… your little finger, here is the very simple and safe technique entrusted to us by an ENT specialist!