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This is a new trend spread by TikTok, which recommends using a small tool or different liquids to clean earwax. Useless or even dangerous, these practices are discouraged by specialists. We take stock.
Our ears are fragile and to protect the ear canal, we naturally produce earwax. This wax, which some falsely compare to dirt, is important and is not intended to be disposed of in any way. Indeed, our ears are in a way “self-cleaning”. And yet, a TikTok trend advocates the use of a small tool or different liquids for this purpose. Practices that are both useless and dangerous.
Use a “mini-shovel” to remove earwax
Many TikTok videos therefore invite users of the social network to clean their ears in different ways. Some advocate the use of hydrogen peroxide, olive oil or small tools, such as a “mini-shovel” to scrape the earwax in order to extract it.
Risky practices, as Christina Kourie, hearing expert interviewed by the Daily Mail, recalls. “The ear is a very delicate organ, which is actually designed to clean itself. This means that digging and scratching inside the ears is not necessary and can cause problems.”.
Risks of ear plugs and infections
The hearing specialist explains the risks. “The tools used can push wax and debris from the ear canal back into the ear.”. This will result in the formation of ear plugs, which will harm the quality of hearing and which will have to be removed by an ENT doctor.
More serious, warns the expert, “eWhen scratching in the ear canal, there will also be a risk of scraping the inner skin of the ear, which can cause a bacterial infection. Without forgetting the risk of perforate the eardrum if a cleaning tool is pushed too far, into the ear“. She reminds that, for these reasons, even the cotton swab should be avoided.
There is no point cleaning your ears
Earwax is therefore an element of protection for our ears. It lubricates them and traps any dust that could get in. It also provides protection against bacteria, fungi, insects and water that may enter it.
Finally, washing your hair regularly allows you to clean the outside of your ears during a shower. Afterwards, do not touch the conduit: simply drying its opening using a soft cloth is sufficient.