Why you shouldn't use cotton buds to clean your ears

Why you shouldn't use cotton buds to clean your ears

Here is the proper way to clean wax out of your ears without using cotton buds. 

Woman using cotton bud to clean ear
Woman using cotton bud to clean ear / iStock

Although people rarely need to clean out their ears, occasionally earwax and other debris can build up and cause one to feel the need to clean them. 

But it is important to know that earwax is actually not a bad thing. It helps protect and lubricate your ear and has antibacterial properties. 

It is also important to know that your ears usually do a good job of cleaning themselves.  

The only reason you should clean your ears is to soften or remove earwax from the outside of your ear canals.  

READ: Doctors horrified after discovering spider hiding in woman's ear

Why you shouldn't put cotton buds in your ears...

Most people clean their ears by inserting cotton buds into their ear canals. This is dangerous. 

- It pushes the wax in and disrupts the normal flow of the wax, which can cause the wax to build up. 

- It can cause you to perforate your own ear drum. 

A good tip for you to remove the earwax is through chewing. Also, moving the jaw pushes the earwax from the canal to the outer ear.

Lastly, the best way to clean your ears is to wash them with soap and water and wrap your towel around your fingers to mop the outer water. 

READ: The amazing health benefits of drinking black tea 

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Disclaimer: Health-related information provided in this article is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor on any health-related issues.

 

Image courtesy of iStock/ @MikeSaran

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