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How to Get Rid of Excess Ear Wax

Earwax or cerumen, is a sticky substance that forms in your outer ear. Glands within the outer ear canal secrete the wax, which then moves to the opening of your ear. Usually, earwax can be wiped or washed away while bathing. Earwax can accumulate when the wax doesn't clear itself, when you secrete an excessive amount of wax, or when you create blockages by using cotton swabs as indicated by the Mayo Clinic website. When excessive earwax becomes an issue, the wax should be removed to prevent damage to your eardrum and ear.

Things You'll Need

  • Carbamide peroxide
  • Syringe bulb
  • Eye dropper
  • Mineral Oil
  • Warm water
  • Towel
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Instructions

  1. Mineral Oil

    • 1
      Only a few drops are necessary.

      Weaken the accumulation of earwax. Use a dropper filled with mineral oil to apply to your ear. Place a few drops of mineral oil into your ear canal for up to five days to soften the wax.

    • 2

      Tilt your head to the side and pull the affected ear upwards. Squirt warm water filled in a bulb syringe gently into the affected ear two days after applying the mineral oil. Tip your head over onto a towel to let the water and debris drain out.

    • 3
      Dry your ear canal.

      Dry your outer ear with a towel or a blow dryer. Hold the blow dryer a foot away from your ear when drying.

    Carbamide Peroxide

    • 4

      Wash your hands prior to applying the peroxide. Warm the bottle of peroxide between your hands for a few minutes. Tilt your head to the side and apply the drops to the affected ear as advised by your physician.

    • 5

      Lie on your side for a few minutes to allow the medication to penetrate the earwax. Rinse your ear with a bulb syringe filled with warm water.

    • 6

      Wipe your outer ear gently with a towel. Repeat the above steps twice a day, for no more than four days.

    Other Methods

    • 7

      Irrigate your ear using warm water to flush out the earwax. Using a syringe, apply a gentle stream of water into your ear. Tilt your head over to remove the water. Dry your ear and repeat the process until the wax is removed.

    • 8

      Visit a ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist when other methods have failed. Allow the specialist to remove the earwax using a curette or vacuum device. A curette is a curved instrument used to scoop out the wax.

    • 9

      Keep your ears clear of excessive earwax. Wipe your outer with a damp washcloth when bathing. Apply mineral oil to your ear once a week as a preventative measure for earwax buildup.

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