KY (Ashland, KY) on 04/28/2009
Replied By Maidenohio (Cleveland, Ohio) on 04/30/2011
Replied By Michele (Sapulpa, Oklahoma) on 02/29/2012
Bobby Pins ARE JUST AS DANGEROUS, POSSIBLY WORSE BECAUSE THEY ARE METAL!!! I can see brain injuries from a bobby pin being SLAMMED DEEP INTO THE EAR DRUM and possibly on into the brain.
The old saying: "DON'T STICK ANYTHING INTO YOUR EARS LARGER THAN YOUR ELBOW!!!"
Michele
Replied By Kennywally (Midwest) on 06/01/2016
To registered medical assistant, as opposed to giving up, using qtips and bobby pins, folks need use use caution, like locking the door....standing next to an unlocked door with a qtip or bobby pin inserted, is simply a recipe for disaster, if there is more than just yourself in the home, you need to do it behind a locked door or in a room alone and no chance of someone barging in and causing a catastrophe from horseplay or otherwise....especially with children around.
Replied By Earthling (Usa) on 01/02/2016
My earwax is getting very dry as I get older and I intuitively thought a drop or two of oil in the ears before bed would help, but wondered what type oil others might have used for maintenance purposes (if you will) vs. occasional earwax removal.
Anyway! I stumbled across a poster who was scolding those who mentioned using Q-tips and/or bobby pins for wax removal saying that they could perforate their eardrums, etc.
She wrote:
The old saying: "DON'T STICK ANYTHING INTO YOUR EARS LARGER THAN YOUR ELBOW!!! "
I think it's safe to assume that she meant anything smaller than your elbow. :D
Happy (and very healthy) New Year all! :)
P.S. Though I didn't find any mention of an oil recommended for daily use here on EC, I found suggestions on another site, from an ENT, who suggested baby oil or olive oil for daily use. I went with the olive oil since baby oil has fragrance added. Besides, babies don't have the fine motor skills or the chemistry knowledge to create oil anyway. (Haha) :)
Replied By Kennywally (Midwest) on 05/07/2016
Replied By Earache (Uk) on 10/06/2016
But, seriously, my local health clinic recommends warm olive oil, only (as often as is practical, in the case of compacted cerumen (e.g. from wearing plug-type ear defenders). They also recommend against using commercial ear drops.
Some 'health' websites mention using rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) mixed 50/50 with vinegar! Are they serious? I use isopropyl alcohol to clean electronic equipment.
Other than olive oil, almond oil or glycerine are safe options; but never push any kind of bud or probe into your ears: you cannot see in there, and risk perforating the tympanic membrane.
Replied By Anon (Usa) on 10/24/2017