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Hydrogen Peroxide & Water in the Ear

If you have an earache, home treatments can help relieve your pain. Heat applied to the ear can soothe the ache. Hydrogen peroxide can help remove wax buildup, but it can leave water in your ear.

  1. Ear Blockages

    • It is normal for you to have some earwax within your ear canals. Earwax can build up to the point where it is painful or it interferes with your ability to hear well, according to "Ballenger's Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery."

    Hydrogen Peroxide

    • A 4 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide placed carefully into your ear can soften a buildup of earwax, making it easier to clean away.

    Risks

    • When you place hydrogen peroxide into your ear, there is a risk it will leave behind water within your ear canal. This can put you at risk for developing swimmer's ear.

    Treatment

    • If you do put hydrogen peroxide into your ear, it is a good idea to follow it a few minutes later with a few drops of alcohol, which will remove any lingering water in your ear, according to "What Nurses Know and Doctors Don't Have Time to Tell You."

    Considerations

    • It is dangerous to insert any object into your ear canal. If you are experiencing a severe blockage or a lot of pain, it is best to consult a doctor, who has tools that will allow her to look into your ear and remove any earwax or other substance she finds.

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