Ear Wax Remedies
Natural Remedies to Remove Ear Wax
"Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a yellowish, waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and many other mammals. It plays an important role in the human ear canal, assisting in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, and insects. Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal and impair hearing.
Cerumen is produced in the outer third of the cartilaginous portion of the human ear canal. It is a mixture of viscous secretions from sebaceous glands and less-viscous ones from modified apocrine sweat glands. The primary components of earwax are the final products in the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, namely, squalene, lanosterol, and cholesterol." (Wikipedia)
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
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| HYDROGEN PEROXIDE READER FEEDBACK | 34 YEAS |
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
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"We heard about this treatment from an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) MD and have practiced it for years. We love it! We have passed the practice on to friends who have in turn passed it on their friends. However, before you try it, check with your doctor first! Some people experience severe ear or jaw pain after trying this remedy (see below).
NOTE: For safety, don't do this treatment before flying. Make sure there are a few days between the treatment and getting on a plane. Also, do not try this remedy if you have existing ear or jaw pain -- it may make the condition worse! If you have any doubts about trying this remedy, don't try it... Contact your doctor first and get his/her opinion. One more note -- do not do this remedy more than once in each ear. Wait a few days in between before trying it again if you feel it did not dissolve all the wax.
The recipe:
Lay a towel down on your bed or carpet. Then fill a dropper (buy at the pharmacy in the infant section) with drugstore bought 3% hydrogen peroxide (about .79 a bottle at any pharmacy). Lying on your side, fill one ear with hydrogen peroxide. After a few moments you will hear fizzing. Quite normal. After a minute or two, add more peroxide. Wait, relax, enjoy. After another few minutes, add more. The peroxide fizzes away, which is why you must keep adding more. Wait until the fizzing stops -- 10 to 15 minutes -- indicative that the wax has been dissolved. Shake remaining liquid from your ear onto the towel and repeat on the other ear. Since this takes time, you may want to do one ear one day and the other the following day.
If you feel a "slushing" in your ear following this treatment, you probably did not give the peroxide enough time. This will feel quite uncomfortable but don't be alarmed! The peroxide probably dislodged the wax but did not dissolve it. Try again. Trick is to keep the ear filled with liquid. You'll be amazed at how much it fizzes up. We did this on a friend a few years back and a huge piece of ear wax floated up and out of his ear. This same person had to go to an ENT every year or two to have chunks of ear wax removed so you can imagine how grateful he was to have a do-it-at-home treatment that actually worked!
If you use ear plugs, you can also clean them using hydrogen peroxide. Simply put peroxide in a cup and toss in the plugs... they will be back to perfect condition within 20 minutes or so.
Don't believe H202 actually helps to dissolve ear wax? Try this experiment:
Clean your ears with a q-tip. Add a few tablespoons of drugstore H202 to a glass and drop the waxy q-tip inside the glass. Within 10 minutes the q-tip will be white again, absolutely no wax left.
No question about it, H202 dissolves ear wax. Visible proof. "
Replies[YEA] 05/11/2011: Craig from Toronto, Ontario replies: "Let me add my voice to the many others here who have had success using Hydrogen Peroxide. I have what my physician describes as very small ear canals. As a result, I have had to deal with blockages due to ear wax all my life. I typically must have my physician clean my ears with a syringe of warm water ever couple of years (it's usually very messy and she has to do it several times.... Getting handily sprayed in the meantime). She has often recommended using H2O2 before seeing her for this (and as a preventive maintenance).Recently, after months of partial blockage in my left ear, I began putting H2O2 in the affected ear. The downside was this softened the wax enough to lead to a full blockage! (this has happened before too). I booked my appointment with the physician, however, I had to wait several days to see her. In the mean time I kept adding H2O2 twice a day for several days (I even tried some lavage, using warm water in a squeeze bottle). Finally, last night, after reading about others' success, I went with the full treatment: For 40 minutes I lay on my side, adding more H2O2, every few minutes as the bubbling and warmth subsided, always trying to work it in as deeply as possible, and always using a tissue to clean out H2O2 that had stopped bubbling and was now a yellowish colour. After 40 minutes of this, I again rinsed the ear with a strong spray of warm/hot water and on the second blast, out came several large chunks of deep brown/black ear wax. Wonderful! I could fully hear again!
I cancelled the medical appointment and went to listen to my favourite music to hear all the glorious detail that I had been missing for months."
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BOBBY PIN
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[YEA] 04/28/2009: KY from Ashland, KY writes: "the old fashioned bobby pin is a good tool for removing ear wax. use the rounded end inside the ear. used 100 years in my family with safe results."
Replies04/30/2011: Maidenohio from Cleveland, Ohio replies: "You are not supposed to stick things in your ears, but the bobby pin does work. Please be very, very careful while scraping the insides of your ears. Do not go down too deep."
12/27/2011: Matt from El Paso, Tx replies: "I once had a nun in school who said "don't put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow". Good advice.I have had heavy earwax buildup all of my life. I do a monthly peroxide drop treatment that works wonders. I was career army so I also took Murine ear drops to the field with me. Both break up the ear wax and allow it to naturally work its way out of the ear canal to where you can swab it up with a Q-tip. Far better than mining with a bobby pin."
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EAR CONES
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11/03/2011: Blacky from Tampa, Florida writes: "Is ear candling recommended? Anyone have any positive feedback on it? Is the gunk they find in the end from the wax or from the ear?"
Replies11/04/2011: P from Middle, Fl replies: "I knew someone whom did it and was satisfied with results, if I am not mistaken it is ear wax at the end, because she was amazed at how much came out.I was not to convinced on putting something lit near my ear so I never tried it, but I do the hydrogen peroxide and like the results. I lay on my side and pour in my ear canal, wait 10 min and pour it out on a towel and then clean your ear out, but make sure you dont push the wax back in. My boyfriend was having trouble hearing out his ears, I did it to him and now no problem.
I read, thats what some doctors do to patients when there is infection in the ear!"
11/04/2011: Helen from Brentwood, Ca, Usa replies: "Hi P. I used to do this a lot in the past. It's not ear wax at the end of the ear cone candles, it's bee's wax from the candle! I tested it by burning down a candle without putting it against my ear.However, it is very relaxing!!"
[NAY] 01/13/2012: Karen from Ellensburg, Wa replies: ""Candling" is BS, my husband had it done and brought home his used "candle" to show me all the wax that came out, gross! But he also brought home an unused "candle" we burned it without putting it in his ear and it looked exactly like the one that supposedly removed the wax, just another useless treatment to get your money!"
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[QUESTION] 03/12/2009: Sonny from Vancouver, Canada writes: "I have read conflicting reports about ear candling. Does it actually work? Some people say that if you burned it without even putting it in your ear, there would still be 'gunk" left - which people mistake for wax when they do use it in the ear. I am thinking of trying it, but am reluctant to make matters worse, or just waste my money on something that is ineffective. Any learned and/or experienced feedback would be very much appreciated. Thanks."
Replies[NAY] 03/13/2009: Deirdre from Atlanta, GA replies: "I did lots of these ear cones in the 1990s, thinking I was removing oodles and oodles of ear wax. My ears itched like crazy for a few days afterwards. Finally my brother and his wife did an experiment and burned down 2 candles to see what happened. Yes, oodles and oodles of what appeared to be ear wax! The candles did make me feel very relaxed."
[YEA] 04/30/2009: bass_ga from Lithia Springs, Ga replies: "Last year I went to a herbal store and had ear candling done.Very simple procedure. I immediately had improved hearing over the course of 3 days.( I could hear a fly take a piss). Sinuses opened up and increased my tasted buds. Not to mention it indeed pulled a blocked wax build up problem I had had for years. I was so impressed I bought some ear candles myself and use them on my 9 year old daughter, whom also had a build up of wax in her ears. Take Note: Ear candling is not used with real candles, it is a hollow cone made of pure bees wax. Do not use cones made with some other materials that are on the market. After ear candling place cotton balls in ears for at least 24 hours, Keep ears secured with cotton or ear plugs pending your work environment, if dusty for at least 2 days. Ears are very sensitive and needs to have time to rest.
How I used it:(never perform this on yourself)
2 ear cones
1 large bowl of water
2 matches or a lighter
1 pair of scissors
1 hot water bottle or heating pad
1 ball of cotton
Place heat on ear your going to do for 5 min. It loosens up the wax. Lay on your side(using a pillow under your head). Exposed ear facing up. Place 1 ear cone in the opening of the ear slightly tilted, Light the top part of the cone with a match. Not to worry bees wax does not melt, it evaporates as it burns. place the match in the bowl of water. At this time you will hear crackling camp fire noises. As the smoke rises it pulls wax out of the ears. when It burns 1/2 way down remove from ear. Take scissors and and cut off the burning part into the water. Inside the cone will be wax and yellow dust. If you see yellow dust it comes from moisture in the ear. Clean out the wax/dust in the cone with a long small stick and repeat the process again w/ remaining cone in the same ear. Then repeat the whole process on the other ear."
[YEA] 07/26/2009: MandyMc from Kokomo, IN replies: "My husband was complaining that his ear was plugged and he was slightly dizzy. I had heard of earcandling and thought we would give it a try. I went to the health store and purchased some earcandles, they weren't expensive at all $3.99 for 2 candles. I used them as directed and my husband said he couldn't tell a difference. We used the other one on the same ear about 3 hours later and he said he still couldn't tell a difference. I was pretty disappointed, my hopes were high since I had heard such good things. When he got up the next morning he said "Mandy thanks my ear feels great, those candles really worked"!!! Awesome!!! I will definitley use these again."
[NAY] 11/05/2010: Anna from Philadelphia, Pa, usa replies: "They made my earwax more dense and pushed it deeper. I lost heaing for few hours until I went to dr to have lots of earwax flushed out. I'll never use them again."
07/15/2011: Alex from Morgantown, Wv replies: "ear candles are illegal in Canada and it is illegal to import them from Canada into the US. While they're not illegal in the US, pretty much all medical science is against them.I've done them twice before actually, was sold a wholistic cure (by the same place that sold my mom saltwater to relieve arthritis). First one did nothing at all, second one singed my ear a bit, hurt for a few days.
Aside from that, do you really think a little negative pressure from the heat is going to pull an awful disgusting glob of tar out of your ear?
I've had fair success with using over the counter carbamide peroxide treatments (similar to hydrogen peroxide but better for the ear). It's pretty uncomfortable to blow water up your ear, but if it helps then it helps.Had to go to an ear specialist once and have him suck it out of my ear with a little..... Sucker tool. Don't know how to explain it, a long metal tube that sucks lice a vacuum. Was very uncomfortable and somewhat painful, but so was the ear wax and this helped tremendously.
Go to a drugstore, or go to a doctor, stay away from quackery."
08/25/2011: Sher from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada replies: "ear candles or cones are not illegal in Canada"
09/02/2011: Cred from Innisfil, On, Canada replies: "actually, the Health Canada website says that they are illegal to sell in Canada but some get around the rule and can be found for sale.However, the reason is that Health Canada deems them to be ineffective and has not issue a license to sell them as a medical device. They state that they are dangerous due to fire. That said, so are fireworks and they are now legal to sell in Canada. Again, legislation designed to protect the ignorant. I'm sure most people could properly use ear candles safely (however, not on oneself, as it is dangerous to try to do this yourself).
Health Canada rarely identifies alternative therapies as effective so I wouldn't rely on their information."
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HYDROGEN PEROXIDE READER FEEDBACK
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[YEA] 10/17/2011: Marcie from Portland, Oregon writes: "I had one ear totally blocked and the other ear was getting there. Tried various store "ear wax removal oil" from the pharmacy plus a natural tea tree ear oil. Nothing worked. Then I came upon your suggestion. I had to do 3 treatments (50, 40, 20 minutes) on the totally blocked ear and 2 treatments (40, 20 minutes) on the other. I could hardly believe what came out of my ears! For me, I think the important part was to keep putting the peroxide in over and over throughout the time period. Then using warm water and a bulb I swished out the goop! Having had this problem all my life, it is wonderful to now have an easy solution to keep my ears clean! Thank you!"
Replies[YEA] 10/31/2011: Tory from Muncie, Indiana replies: "I love this remedy! After having trouble for months with my ears, peroxide cleaned them out in 2 days. 20 minutes a few times a day, and then use an ear syringe filled with warm water to rinse them out. Peroxide works much better than traditional ear drops."
[NAY] 01/01/2012: Bonnie from Halifax, Nova Scotia replies: "It did not work for me... my ear is worse clogged than ever and sore now too."
[YEA] 01/27/2012: Ryan from Boston, Ma replies: "This was like a miracle. My ears get blocked up a couple of times a year. I've always used the CVS brand Ear Wax Removal System, with the drops and the bulb syringe. Yesterday, that didn't seem to be doing the trick. When I put the drops in, I barely even heard any crackling like I think I sometimes used to. Gave the Hydrogen Peroxide a try today and it made a world of difference. Instantly and consistently hearing the crackling noise confirmed for me that it was really doing the trick and eating away at the wax. Left the drops in for ~5 minutes at a time and let it drain. Did that 4 times or so and then the flushed everything out with the syringe. I feel so much better!"
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[YEA] 10/03/2011: Marc from Boston, Ma writes: "The Hydrogen Peroxide definitely works to clear out ear wax. However it may take SEVERAL DAYS for it to work, as you are applying this technique twice a day, say morning and night. If the wax is impacted against your eardrum, you may feel fullness, itching/tickling, diminished hearing, tinnitus/ringing, even balance issues.
Now if you try the Hydrogen Peroxide and notice any relief whatsoever after using it the first day or two, it's safe to say wax is the problem and to keep on going for up to 5 days. What can happen in the initial days is that the initial treatments are barely getting around the outer layers of wax, or are melting them a little and then they re-form, so you feel better for a little bit after the H202, then the symptoms come back.
It totally sucks that this takes DAYS and DAYS to get rid of. But if you look at the instructions on any OTC ear wax softeners such as Murine etc it says use it for 4 days. I find this H202 method works far better than the oil based stuff like Murine, although you could also try placing some plain mineral oil in your ear during the day in between the H202 treatments.
What I do is I bought a 20cc ear cleaning syringe at a pharmacy (CVS sells them, etc) that has a removable special spray tip. I use the syringe without the tip to apply the H202 for the 20-30 minutes, and then if I feel it's needed, I attach the spray tip and use warm water to spray out the ear. This type of syringe with special tip works WAY better than those little blue bulb sprayers you see included with the ear wax kits.
Also, each time I put the H202 in the ear, I'll warm it first by placing the whole syringe (with about 5cc of H202 in it) inside a tall plastic cup full of warm/hot water. This will warm the H202 to body temp, and I'll even draw in a little bit of this warm water to add it to the H202 just before putting it in my ear. Then test a few drops on your hand before putting it in your ear to make sure it's not too warm or cold, since any liquid too warm or cold going into your ear can make you nauseaous."
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[YEA] 08/11/2010: Tacomagic from Milwaukee, Us writes: "I had a blockage show up this morning and called my doctor. He suggested using H202 in a similar method as outlined above but also included using a warm water irrigation after every application of peroxide. Basically I put a few drops of peroxide in the ear and let it sit for 3 minutes. The ear was then irrigated with 2 bulbs of water from an infant nose cleaning bulb*. This was repeated 3 times with each time having a large amount of debris being washed out of the ear. On the third time a huge chunk of wax was washed out and my blockage was cleared. I was told by my doctor not to do more than 5 repetitions per ear a day and if I couldn't clear the blockage in 3 days that I would need to come in and have him extract the blockage. He did say that if I wanted I could use the warm wash as much as I wanted as that would eventually clear the blockage if it had been weakened enough by the H2O2, but it might take a long time. *He also suggested that a 50cc or larger syringe could be used and might be easier than a bulb."
Replies[YEA] 05/02/2011: Eliza from Nyc, Ny, Usa replies: "This really works! It took three days of applying almost a dropper-full of 3% hydrogen peroxide to my clogged ear twice daily, but I kept at it and now I can hear again!I think what did it was accidentally falling asleep with the stuff in my ear.... Probably sat in there for a good hour and when I woke up and rinsed the ear out with an ear syringe, out poured tons of little chunks of wax :)
So, try keeping it in for a long time (I suggest while reading a good book lying on your side) and make sure to irrigate the ear with an ear syringe and warm water after soaking and draining. Don't give up if it doesn't work right away!"
[YEA] 08/03/2011: Angie from Valencia, Ca replies: "Oh my gosh! Works like a charm. After over a week of complete blockage in my right ear I found this remedy and gave it a try. I used a bulb syringe to place a few drops of peroxide into the ear and reapplied a few more drops as the bubbling stopped. I did this about 4 times, it took about 20 minutes. After letting the peroxide soak, I then used the bulb syringe to rinse out the ear canal with warm water. Chunks of dark wax came out in the rinse and I could immediately hear. Thanks for the relief!"
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[YEA] 04/06/2010: Lilydy from Alice Springs, Australia writes: "Hydrogen peroxide helped with my ear wax problem. I used a medicine dropper and place about 3 or 4 drops on the blocked ear while lying in bed sideways, with the infected ear facing up. The peroxide will cause fizzing, wait till it subsides then place more drops. Repeat the procedure for about 10 minutes. Then turn to the other side lying down to drain any excess liquid in your ear. The key to this procedure is patience. Mine takes about 2 days before I was able to hear properly again and the wax did not just drain in one go.I waited for about 8 hours before repeating the procedure. Also, I did have to use an improvised ear cleaner to get out some of the dissolved wax in the ear. Oh and you may try to use the hand palm trick like a sucking cup on your ear till the blockage clears. Again this treatment requires patience. It does feel good and ticklish when the peroxide bubbles in my ear.Hope this helps."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/05/2009: Bobby from Dallas, Tx writes: "I tried this method to the letter. I had my ear stopped up for days and could not take it any longer. Unfortunatly i did not do the test with the wax in the peroxide first, It did not work for me even after soaking for an hour. My ear hurt from the treatment. How i finally fixed it was i went in the shower with one of those ear bulbs that you use on babies, And with natural hot water and a cup about thirty times all kinds of junk came out of my ear. I hope this will help someone."
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[WARNING!] 07/21/2009: Luis from Cali, Colombia writes: "HP 3% Food Degree in Ears: Please, be cautious with application of HP 3% food degree in ears, since after sprinkling it with an inhaler to my elderly mother, she experienced an inflammation of drums and internal channels, with the side effect that she lost the hearing almost completely for one day. Nevertheless, with medicinal drops for inflammation and pain, the following day she began to recover gradually her normal level.Thanks God. I was very worried and disheartened.
Luis"
EC: Hi Luis, was she trying this for ear wax removal or for a cold/flu? We are posting this on the ear wax page unless you tell us otherwise!
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03/09/2009: Matt from New Richland, MN writes: "I just tried the experiment you suggested regarding the dissolving of ear wax using hydrogen peroxide. I took a q-tip which I had used to clean wax out of my ears (it had a fair amount of wax on it). I filled a small glass with about two or three teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and put the q-tip in the glass. Twenty minutes later the wax was still there, with no sign of dissolving at all. Needless to say, I'm not convinced this solution works."
RepliesEC: Sorry it didn't work for you -- the experiment works for us every time!
[YEA] 03/11/2009: Janice from Coloma, Mi replies: "I used to work in a large hearing aid place and the only thing the audiologists would have people clean their ears out was with Hydrogen Peroxide. Ten minutes in each ear or put in at bedtime with a cottonball so that it won't get on your pillow and NEVER clean your ears out with a q-tip. It only pushes the wax in further."
05/31/2009: Elle from DC, USA replies: "if h202 has been left uncovered, or exposed to heat, light etc. it will loose potency. you may need to get a fresh bottle to ensure that it is effective. if it does not fizz, it is most likely useless."
05/31/2009: Country Woman from Jackson, NY replies: "For ear wax, I have used a base of olive oil...warmed...let sit for a few hrs.......put cotton in it and then flush out....Works for me! Good Luck!"
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[YEA] 08/02/2008: Angie from Burlington, Canada writes: "After having ear blockage for a week . Due to ear wax buildup, I had suffered enough . In the past I have sen a doctor and they irrigate my ear with H2O. I read all the positive comments on this site and thought why not try the Hydrogen peroxide method. IT WORKED and it only cost me a Loonie (1 dollar) I am now relieved of the pressure in my head also the loss of hearing. I would highly recommend this method. It was safe, inexpensive and it worked."
Replies[YEA] 12/09/2009: Kyle from Cincinnati, Ohio replies: "The peroxide method does work! I tried it and it helped clear my blockage."
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[YEA] 05/14/2008: BDR from N.O., LA writes: "I swam laps for the first time in a while. I knew ear wax buildup was trapping the water because every year or 2 have to go to the ENT to have my ear irrigated and cleaned. Couldn't hear, miserable. Tried the hydrogen peroxide to save the hassle and expense of ENT visit. Worked! 15 minutes adding a few drops every 3-4 minutes, then irrigated with warm water. Hard to believe all that was in my ear. Thanks! "
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[YEA] 01/26/2008: John from Kansas City, KS writes: "Hello. I and wife have used hydrogen peroxide for years and it always works for us.
We either use it full strength or mixed with mineral oil. Sometimes we warm it first.
After we drain it out we spray water gentle from a syringe or spray bottle. Usually the wax is dissolved without using a syringe or spray bottle, but we use them to removed the rest of the hydrogen peroxide which can irritate the ear canals.
We haven't ever bothered about the ear canal being wet afterward and have had no trouble. Sometimes a few days later an ear canal may get itchy and we've found that the equate brand of preparation H stopped the itching better than campho phenique or anything and soothed the ear canal."
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[YEA] 01/12/2008: June from KC, KS writes: "I also use store-bought H2O2 for use in my ears. I did have trouble with it leaving behind liquid and causing earache. And a couple times after using H2O2 I had sharp pains in my ears. I remedied this by putting a small amount of coconut oil in each ear after draining the H2O2 and it helped pretty quickly.
Now if I use H2O2 in my ears I add a drop of alcohol and only use a drop or two of H2O2 (full strength). This seems to be enough to ward off any virus-related earaches.
I also use H2O2 mixed with distilled water as a nasal wash and this is very effective in immediately ridding me of sore throat issues and any kind of infection I might feel at the back of my palate and upper portion of my throat where sinus drainage occurs. It burns a little, even with using distilled water, but I've come to recognize it as a good burn because I know it's killing the infection."
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[YEA] 12/07/2007: Xhellie from Coyle, Washington writes: "My son's ear canal was completely obstructed with ear wax. I know you're not supposed to use cotton swabs or bobby pins. I was so desperate to remove this blockage that I almost used a bobby pin. I was very skeptical to try this remedy because when I was younger I did this procedure to myself and left it too long. The ending result was the worst ear infection I have ever had.
This is the procedure I followed: I made my child lie on his side with the affected ear facing up. I pulled his ear lobe and used a head lamp so I could look deep into the ear. While still pulling the ear lobe back and up I dropped in the peroxide untill the ear was full. It bubbled immediately! I waited till the bubbling stopped, about 4 minutes and had him flip his head over and drain the peroxide. The peroxide that drained out was brown and murky so I knew it was working. We repeated this process several times, rinsing the ear with warm water between every peroxide "bath". After about 4 sessions I used the syringe to irrigate the ear and a huge ball of wax came ou of his ear. Upon inspection the ear canal was unblocked. Please remeber though, a layer of wax in your ear is a GOOD THING! Thanks again to Earth Clinic and everyone who contributed!!"
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[YEA] 11/20/2006: Steve from Venice Fl writes: "Wow!! The hydrogen peroxide worked great for me. I could barely hear out of my left ear for nearly a week, so I used peroxide, for me it took nearly one hour to clear out the canal. I VERY highly recommed using peroxide to get a wax build up out of your ear. When in use in your ear, the peroxide bubbles and sizzles in your ear and the noise gets louder and louder as it clears out that disgusting old wax out of your ear. It was really fascinating though. Interesting experience."
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[YEA] 11/09/2006: Cass from Dover, DE writes: "Our pedicatrician was a really old fashioned doctor. He looked for ways to save his patients money and would recommend old timey remedies if he knew that they worked.
Our pedicatrician found that my son had excessive ear wax. He said he could clean the wax out but it would cost us money and be painful to my son. What our pediatrician recommended was to put olive oil in the ears at night and put a cotton ball in each ear. In the morning after breakfast my son was to lie down and I was to fill one ear at a time with peroxide and he was just to lie there for 15-20 minutes. When the time was up he was to flip his head over real quick to the other side. We did this for close to a week and saw good results. We appreciated the money and the pain that was saved by using a remedy that our pediatrician reccommended. Never again did our pediatrician say that my son had excessive ear wax. My son is now a grown man."
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[WARNING!] 11/08/2006: Usha from India writes: "I have a similar situation to Deb from Philadelphia. I would not suggest putting ANYTHING in an ear with a perforated eardrum or no eardrum at all. You must be careful to protect your middle and inner ear from being damaged. They have a very specific Ph and a system of dealing with invaders. The reason your eardrums burst is because your eustachian tubes are probably closed, not just blocked. Ear infections are one of the most common childhood diagnosis because children's eustachian tubes are not fully developed. Many adults have malformed or closed eustachian tubes becuase their's never developed from childhood or because of allergies. First of all you need to address your allergies because nothing will work that you try unless that is also under control. Some ENTs also conduct allergy tests becuase the whole system is so closely connected as is balance ie. verigo. There is a new surgery which I just had to open a closed eustachian tube. It is called eustachian tubectomy. They endoscopically go in through your mouth and shave the sides of your eustachian tube utilizing the scar tissue that will develop to cause the eustachian tube to function properly. I had this procedure as well as a tympanoplasty which is a rebuilidng of ear drum. The first attempt at closing the ear drum was unsuccessful but the second time they used another new procedure that uses the cartilage from the little flap of skin outside of the opening to the ear to close the ear drum and this cartilage creates a very strong structure. Now I no longer sound like a broken speaker in my head! I would highly suggest you get your allergies under control and really try to surgically fix your eardrums ESPECIALLY before you start considering putting things in your ears. Your hearing will be negatively affected to say the least as well as your inner ear which could cause worse vertigo and balance problems. If you aren't already you should be wearing earplugs, never go swimming or bathe unprotected (this could be causing infections, having water in your middle ear). Ear plugs should not "go down too far" as you say becuase your ear canal is much longer than you think. Any ear plug I've ever used won't go deep enough to be a problem. You can have custom ear plugs made to fit your ear which are the most comfortable option in my opinion. Don't mess around with ears, they're too delicate."
Replies12/31/2011: Bud from Ballston Lake, Ny replies: "Usha, You are right about not putting anything in your ears especially if you have perforated eardrums. When I was six months old, Both eardrums burst. All my life I have had ear problems. I am now 85 plus. I have been to so many doctors. All they do is give me ear drops. I think that if they fixed my ears, then they lost a customer, Soooo, keep giving me eardrops and I will be back. After all, they are being paid pretty good. Bud"
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[WARNING!] 10/09/2006: Natasha from UK writes: "Anyone with major ear problems, please do not use hydrogen peroxide, particularly Deb with the broken ear drum! It is basically bleach and is a really fierce chemical. It only works to clear earwax and you must be sure this is where your problem is coming from if you want to use it. In the UK, hydrogen peroxide is NOT recommended by doctors even for this - they actually recommend pharmaceutical olive oil, which is sterilised, mixes with the wax and helps it soften and clear naturally.
Ears are delicate and can easily be sent out of balance. I used to use q-tips to clean my ears and now suffer from chronic otitis externa, which is basically eczma in the outer ear. I haven't noticed earwax for years, just a dampness and whitish discharge. This, with the "debris" which collects in the ear (dead skin), provides a perfect environment for bacteria to breed in.
The first time I ever had an infection was when I had had a cold, used q-tips and took a long-haul flight with two changeovers. I had the WORST ear infection when I landed the third time and spent the next week in bed on antibiotics and painkillers in the most horrendous pain. That was five and a half years ago and I now have to use ear plugs in any situation where my ears can get wet (swimming, showering) or I will get an infection within 24 hours. I also have to be very careful to avoid introducing germs to the ear with a hand or headphones etc - in-ear headphones are not an option! This is actually a pretty common condition, is most often caused by using q-tips and is not curable. I'm 24.
Saying this, I have heard that garlic can be a very good antibiotic and also Hopi ear candles are great for clearing blocked sinuses. I am very cautious in using anything non-prescribed myself these days as my condition is so sensitive that I'm afraid anything will set it off, but these are gentle enough not to be so bad. Regarding hydrogen peroxide, if you are more resiliant, maybe have a go, but with more serious conditions, don't risk it! And don't ever use it for an extended time. These are all things your doctors should be telling you - there are a lot of advantages to free medicine..."
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[YEA] 07/10/2006: Rita from Hunstville, AL writes: "Hi, I just wanted to comment that I personally use hydrogen peroxide each and every day to help clean my ears with a Q-tip. This actually helps to combat itchy ears and less wax buildup."
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[YEA] 04/28/2006: Floyd from Fort Worth TX writes: "About 43 years ago, we went to Plat National Park in Sulphur, Oklahoma. The water there is very cold and has a lot of sulphur in it. It gave all 3 of our children, and myself an ear infection. Mine was so bad, I had to go to the Dr. He told me to mix Hydrogen Peroxide and Alcohol 50/50 .He said the Peroxide would kill the infection and the alcohol would dry up the Peroxide. If you don't get the Peroxide out, your ear will hurt more. Since then we have never went to the Dr. for an ear problem. THANK GOD."
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[YEA] 03/17/2006: Joanne from Cleveland, OH writes: "First of all I LOVE LOVE LOVE your website...it is so helpful...I love to look up and find all these rememdies...KEEP EM COMING! My father when i was little put hydrogen peroxide in my Ear....at first i was a little.. scared.. but then when he put it in all i felt was a little fizzing and bubbling..and right away my earache went away and the pressure. I AM SO GLAD! that i now know how to clear my earaches and ear infection and tell everyone i know!"
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[YEA] 03/15/2006: JC from Toronto, Ontario writes: "I had a plugged ear for a few days with excess earwax. Faced with the option of having an ENT use a mini-vacuum if lavage didn't work I decided to try this out. I softened the earwax first by applying warm olive oil to a cotton swab then placing it in my ear for 10 minutes. Then I droppered the H2O2 in. It did generate some heat causing a mild burning sensation when the oxygen bubbles were releasing but it was only mildly uncomfortable. I did the wash for ~20min and followed with the rubbing alcohol which did cause some stinging. However, I can hear again without having to wait for a referral to and ENT so I'm very happy. Thanks for the advice."
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[YEA] 03/13/2006: Somran from Las Vegas, NV writes: "Peroxide Cured My Ears Infection And My Sore Throat."
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