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Peroxide for Ear Wax Build-Up

Hydrogen and carbamide peroxides have long been used to help remove excess ear wax (cerumen). Since ear wax naturally moves from the ear canal without help, peroxide treatments are only necessary when the wax becomes impacted in the ear canal. Impacted ear wax can cause diminished hearing, itchiness, pain and general discomfort. Ear wax plugs that do not respond to peroxide typically require manual extraction by a physician who can actually see where the problem is.

  1. Method of Action

    • Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxides are found in many commercially prepared ear wax removal kits. Hydrogen peroxide can also be found alone in most pharmacies. Both work by their mechanical actions. The "bubbling" that occurs when the peroxide enters the ear loosens the wax and helps move it out of the ear canal. Hydrogen peroxide can also help soften and partially dissolve cerumen since cerumen is water soluble. Carbamide lubricates the ear wax but does not dissolve cerumen by itself. Instead, carbamide releases hydrogen peroxide which does.

    Using Peroxide

    • Spread a towel down and have the ear being treated in an upright condition. Using either a bulb syringe or oral syringe, squirt several drops of peroxide in the ear. A normal bubbling will occur. Add more peroxide as the bubbling subsides until the canal feels full. Allow the peroxide to work for approximately 15 minutes. Apply a clean towel to the treated ear and gradually sit up, allowing the peroxide to drain into the towel. Stand over a basin and tilt your treated ear downward. Using the syringe, irrigate the ear using water that is approximately body temperature. Instill one or two drops of alcohol into the ear after irrigation to dry up the water.

    Cautions

    • Do not use peroxide (or any home ear wax remedy) if you have structural abnormalities of the ear, a possible perforated ear drum or increased risk for infections. Peroxide can make ear wax impaction worse in some cases by becoming trapped between the wax plug and ear drum. Consult your physician if you experience any unusual drainage from the ear, increased pain or persistent vertigo after using a peroxide treatment.

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