Independent removal
If you want to save yourself a visit to the ENT doctor, there are also methods to remove earwax professionally at home. However, care should be taken here not to do this too often and thus undermine its protective function and consult the ENT specialist in case of pain and/or inflammation. Probably the best known method is also the one that is most urgently advised against: Removal with cotton swabs or Q-tips.
The hard inner core of the cotton swabs can damage the outer ear canal and irritate or even injure the sensitive eardrum, which separates the outer and inner ear canal. In addition, there is the danger that the already existing cerumin plug will be moved further towards the eardrum or attached to it, which leads to temporary hearing loss, since the passage of the acoustic signals is now more difficult. The most uncomplicated procedure is to rinse out the excess earwax while showering.
The water should be warmed to body temperature to avoid dizziness or nausea. These reactions can occur through irritation of a nerve running in the ear canal with cold liquid with subsequent irritation of the organ of equilibrium. The warm water can now slowly flow into the ear canal by slightly bending the head to the side.
This should be pure water without soap or shampoo, as otherwise the function of the glands may be impaired. After showering, the ear should be carefully patted dry with a towel or a piece of paper. According to the same principle, the earwax can also be removed with warmed almond or olive oil.
The oil should be warmed up to body temperature again, e.g. by briefly warming it in the hand. Now carefully 3 to 4 drops of oil should be poured into the ear while tilting the head. The oil softens the hardened earwax and makes it easier to remove.
After the application of the oil, the earwax is washed out with water. This should also be warmed up to body temperature again and can then be carefully poured into the affected ear with a small syringe and then the ear can be carefully dried again with a towel or paper.There are also specially produced drugs in spray form, the so-called cerumenolytics, to soften the closing ceruminous plug. These are applied into the ear canal from the outside, followed by the same procedure as for softening with oil and water.
