Why can't you clean your ears with a cotton swab. How to properly clean your ears so as not to harm your health? How often should you wash your ears

Do you know how to clean your ears? Sure? It turns out that most of the population (both children and adults) do not properly clean their ears. Some "in the old fashioned way" use a match with cotton wool wound around it, someone can clean the ear with a pin, hairpin or other "suitable" sharp object (the main thing is that it fits in the ear). Which of these methods is the most correct and how to clean your ears properly?

Ear wax - why is it needed?

Why do we need wax in our ears and why does it accumulate in such quantity and so often? In fact, we need earwax and do not need to panic, worry and be embarrassed if you have earwax in your ears (of course, we are not talking about a large one that makes it impossible to hear others).

Earwax accumulates in the ear in order to protect the hearing organ from the negative effects of bacteria, infections, and mechanical damage. If a person is healthy, then a small amount of sulfur is produced in him - just enough so that it is not noticeable in the ear, but such an amount to protect the ear canal and eardrum from negative external influences.

So, earwax is necessary in order to:

Protect ears - the chemical composition of sulfur does not allow bacteria and microbes to penetrate into the ear;
clear- sulfur comes into contact with human skin, which allows you to quickly and easily remove any foreign objects (if any get into the ear);
Moisturize- our ears almost never dry out, they are not covered with dry crusts from the inside, and all because earwax has moisturizing agents;
lubricate– and ensure good sound penetration and comfort.

So, do you need to clean your ears? Otolaryngologists answer:

If you are healthy, nothing bothers you, you are not registered with an otolaryngologist (ENT), then you do not need to clean your ears (especially every day). During hygiene procedures in the shower (when you wash your hair) or while talking and eating food, sulfur falls out or is washed out on its own.

What happens if you clean your ears every day?

Do you still think that if every day, they will really become cleaner? This is the biggest mistake and delusion of most people. The more actively, more and diligently you clean your ears of earwax, the more you irritate the sulfur glands. This means that sulfur begins to be produced with even greater force and in even greater quantities. Accordingly, the less you do forced cleaning of the ears, the less sulfur accumulates in the ear canal.

Ultimately, daily cleaning of the ears can lead to the accumulation of large amounts of wax and the formation of ear plugs.

If we disrupt the process of sulfur production, then this leads to drying out of the ear canal, the occurrence of constant unpleasant itching, uncomfortable sensations.

Cleaning your ears often is more harmful than helpful..

Ear cleaning sticks

What do you usually clean your ears with? Probably common and fairly popular ear sticks. It turns out that ear sticks are designed to apply brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide, iodine and other medicinal liquid preparations to a damaged surface (a wound, for example).

Ear sticks are not designed to clean the ears.

Why can't you clean your ears with ear sticks (after all, they are ear sticks and this phrase is written on each package)?

They can easily injure the eardrum. Trauma to the eardrum leads to severe dizziness, fainting, and in the worst case, complete or partial hearing loss.
Infection of the tissues of the ear, since the ear stick is quite easy to damage, scratch the ear canal. Even through a small wound, an infection can enter the ear. This is what causes otitis externa.
If there is a wax plug in the ear, then with the help of an ear stick you will push it deep into the ear.

If you are still comfortable cleaning your ears with ear sticks, then you need to learn how to do it correctly. This is the only way to avoid serious negative consequences.

If you often take a bath or shower, then you do not need to specifically clean your ears with ear sticks. While in the bathroom, wet your ears and in this way they will be cleansed for you. This is the best option for cleaning the ears from sulfur.

So, with an ear stick, you can clean your ears like this:

Wet a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide or plain water;
Tilt your head to the side;
Very gently wipe the ear canal with an ear stick;
Don't try to stick the ear stick deep into your ear - don't risk it;
Wet a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide and leave it in your ear for a few hours.

With the help of hydrogen peroxide, it is recommended to clean the ears only 2 times a week, no more. If your ear is very itchy, then drop a small amount of oil (olive, chamomile, jojoba, etc.) into the ear canal. The oil has a softening, moisturizing effect.

If you began to notice an abundant accumulation of sulfur in the ears, then in this case you need to contact an ENT doctor.

It is forbidden to clean the ears with sharp objects, hairpins, pins, matches, toothpicks. This in 95% leads to traumatization of the ear canal and infection in the ear.

Newborn Ear Care

For the care of the ears of a newborn, it is forbidden to use (even if they are supposedly intended specifically for caring for babies). If you bathe your baby daily, then to clean the ear canal, it is enough to gently wipe the crumbs' ears with a cotton pad or a small napkin. At the same time, all ear folds of the child are lubricated with baby cream or oil to avoid the occurrence of diaper rash, cracks, and dry, painful crusts.

Many people believe that cotton buds sold in stores are designed specifically for cleaning ears. And although somewhere they once heard that it is impossible to clean the ears in this way, they continue to do this with enviable regularity. Is this cleaning really dangerous?

Earwax is far from dirt. It is specially produced in the ears, it is a special secret of the ear sulfur glands, which has a viscous sticky consistency and a honey color. Due to this, it is similar in appearance to a lubricant, which is what it actually is. It envelops the external auditory canal with a thin layer, moisturizes its skin, protects it from pollution, and also protects against microorganisms, pathogenic fungi, dust and insects.

In the external auditory canal there are about two thousand glands that form sulfur. And all of them taken together produce up to 12-20 mg of sulfur per month. But it does not accumulate in the ear, but gradually moves out during chewing movements with the jaws, swallowing, talking, coughing, sneezing. Together with sulfur, dead cells, hairs, dust particles and other contaminants are removed from the ear canal in this way.

In some cases, the natural process of removing sulfur may be disturbed. Most often this happens when:
tendency to increased sulfur formation (hypersecretion);
narrow external auditory canal or other anatomical features of its structure;
regular irritation of the ear canal (with cotton swabs, headphones with ear pads, olives of the headband tubes of the phonendoscope, hearing aids);
Improper hygienic care of the ears;
frequent diseases of the ears of an inflammatory nature;
dry ambient air
long stay in a dusty room (for example, when working in a dusty workplace).

Excess buildup of earwax can lead to:
clogging of the ear canal and violation of its patency;
Hearing loss
audibility in the ear of one's own voice;
the appearance of noise in the ears;
Feeling stuffy in the ears
· dizziness;
· ;
nausea and vomiting
dry reflex cough;
convulsions.

What happens when you clean your ears with cotton swabs
People use cotton swabs to clean their ears out of good intentions, trying to keep their ears clean and sincerely believing that industrially produced cotton swabs are designed for this. However, the effect of such cleaning is the exact opposite.

First, when the stick is inserted into the external auditory canal, part of the sulfur is shifted deeper towards the eardrum. And with each new introduction of a cotton swab, sulfur is compacted into a dense mass. Gradually, as it compacts, this mass turns into a sulfur plug that fills the ear canal.

Secondly, a cotton swab, like a foreign object in the ear, irritates the skin of the ear canal, which leads to stimulation of the sulfur glands. They, in turn, begin to intensively produce sulfur. So, after a while, there is more sulfur secretion.

Thirdly, by completely cleaning the skin of the ear canal from sulfur, we deprive it of a protective layer, which means that it is less moisturized and more susceptible to bacteria. This creates favorable conditions for the penetration of infection and the development of inflammation (otitis media).

Fourthly, with too intense movements with a cotton swab, especially with an already existing sulfuric plug, the eardrum or external auditory canal may be accidentally damaged (perforated).

How to clean your ears properly
Yes, in general, no way. The external auditory canal cleans itself and does not require additional cleaning. To keep the ears clean, it is enough to wash the auricle and the area of the entrance to the opening of the auditory canal with soapy water while taking a shower, washing your hair or other hygiene procedures. If you really want to clean up sulfur that does not look very aesthetically pleasing in the area of \u200b\u200bthe external opening of the auditory canal, you can use cotton swabs with a limiter. They have a small "skirt-side" made of cotton, which does not allow the wand to penetrate the ear canal.

In no case should cotton swabs and self-made “analogues” be inserted into the ear canal (matches with wound cotton wool have not yet gone into oblivion). Indeed, at the same time, the risk of damage to the ear canal or eardrum is high.

If you observe excessive formation of earwax in yourself, do not try to clean it out yourself. Seek help from an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor). The specialist will identify the cause and give recommendations for the treatment and care of the ears in such a situation.

According to otolaryngologists, 90% of people use cotton swabs to clean their ears from sulfur. People also use hairpins, safety pins, matches and toothpicks to clean their ears.

According to statistics, 70% of cases of damage to the eardrum are due to improper ear hygiene. Find out how and how to properly clean your ears and auricles.

The structure of the ear and why earwax is important

To understand how to care for your ears, knowledge about their structure will help:

The visible fleshy part is the outer ear or pinna. It protects the internal canal that leads to the eardrum, which transmits sounds to the middle ear. Ear cleaning is the cleansing of pinna and ear canal contamination.
The middle ear is made up of the eardrum, which creates vibrations that are translated into sounds.
The inner ear converts vibrations from the middle ear into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. As a result, we gain the ability to hear.
Earwax is produced by glands in the ear canal. They produce 15-20 ml of earwax per month. Sulfur consists of epithelial cells, dust and enzymes that prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Earwax resembles the function of sticky tape for flies. It traps pathogenic microbes, particles of dust and dirt, and also serves as a barrier against water.
Earwax naturally comes out of the ear canal when we talk or chew. Movement of the jaws removes wax from the outer ear.

Why do ears often get dirty?

If ear wax is not causing problems, it is best to leave it alone - the ear cleans itself. Sometimes it becomes noticeable in the outer ear. Professor, otorhinolaryngologist Khaibula Makkaev says that the increased production of sulfur is due to:

narrow auditory canal;
improper cleaning of the ears;
hearing aid;
frequent visits to the pool;
chewing gum;
headphones.

How can you clean your ears

To remove sulfur, ENT doctors advise using:

salted and warm water;
hydrogen peroxide;
a piece of gauze;
drops.

Washing

Fill the syringe without a needle with boiled water at room temperature.
Tilt your head to your shoulder.
Pull the outer ear with your hand to straighten the ear canal.
Click on the syringe to fill the ear canal with water.
Hold the ear with water for about 1 minute.
Tilt your head to the opposite side to drain the water.
Blot any remaining water from the ear cavity with a soft cloth, cotton, or bandage.

Hydrogen peroxide

Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide - 3% and water.
Fill a pipette or syringe with the solution.
Tilt your head to the side and pour in 3 drops of the solution.
Hold for 1 minute.
Tilt your head to the opposite side so that the solution comes out of your ear.
Wipe your ear with a clean cloth.

Drops

Ear drops are selected by the doctor individually. There are water and oil based drops. If the bottle does not have a special cap, get a pipette. Boil before use.

Warm the ear drops by holding them in your hand or placing them in warm water.
Apply 1 drop to the back of your hand to check the temperature of the ear drops.
Draw ear drops into the pipette.
Tilt your head and pull your ear by the lobe down and back.
Drip as instructed.
Hold for 1-3 minutes. If necessary, leave overnight, covering the ear canal with a piece of cotton.
Rinse your ear with warm water.
Remove moisture with cotton wool or a clean cloth.

There is one golden rule that applies in any area of our life - do not overdo it, so as not to harm. Do you know how to properly clean your ears, and should you do it at all? The topic is very interesting, and worthy of attention, since there are different opinions on this issue.

Probably, few people know that earlier, in the Middle Ages, the ears were cleaned with a special device - a kopushka. This is a small spoon that was always at hand. It was worn by both men and women.

Why do they clean their ears - do I need to remove earwax

The main purpose of cleaning the ears is to remove wax accumulated there. But, according to otolaryngologists, this should not be done. Wax in the ears is necessary for the normal operation of the hearing aid, as an organ of hearing. Its development occurs daily, for someone faster, and for someone slower. In the composition of sulfur, which is secreted by special ear glands, proteins, fats, mineral salts. It is sulfur that protects the ear from the penetration of bacteria into it, and, as necessary, removes dirt from the ear cavity with the help of small villi. The consistency of sulfur varies from person to person. It may be dry or wet. The white color of the sulfur that you removed, in your opinion, by properly cleaning your ears, “speaks” of an insufficient amount of components important for health in the body, and dark-colored sticky sulfur should not alarm you.

Many consider it right to clean their ears and remove wax from them. To do this, cotton buds, toothpicks, cotton flagella are used, if it's about babies. Forcibly cleaning the ears of sulfur is fraught with great health troubles, it can do more harm than good.

Ears have the unique ability to self-clean. Sulfur secretions can be excreted naturally, thanks to the special arrangement of the auricle, the skin of which is constantly growing, moving outward. In addition, we ourselves help to clear our ears. During eating, talking, coughing, the temporomandibular joint moves, and this has a positive effect on the self-cleaning of the ear canals.

Earwax should be left alone unless there are symptoms of earwax plugging in the ear. It is not difficult to learn about this - you will hear worse.

What is sulfur plug

Irritation of the ear walls with all sorts of objects, often sharp and dangerous, leads to the opposite effect - the production of sulfur increases. This leads to the appearance of sulfur plugs in the ears. Those who like to dig into their own ears may, quite unintentionally, push the cerumen, the plugs, down into the ear canal instead of extracting them. Only a doctor knows how to properly clean the ears from the sulfur plugs formed in them. Do not engage in amateur activities, seek help from an otolaryngologist in time.

Important

Often, special candles are used to clean the ears, but this should not be done. They can provoke a change in the eardrum, cause a burn, block the ear canal

Summary

Hygiene is necessary, but within acceptable limits. He does not build to substitute his actions for the natural processes conceived by nature. Teach your children how to properly clean their ears, more precisely, wash them, in no case trying to penetrate the ear canal. This is dangerous. Good luck

How to clean your ears? is a topical issue for many people. Most of them care too much about the hygiene of their ears and do it wrong, which is caused by a lack of knowledge about what earwax is and what its role is.

Sulfur is an important biological material that performs many important functions:

Protects the inner ear from bacteria and infections, as it is an unfavorable environment for their reproduction.
Cleans the ear canal from foreign bodies, particles of the epithelium, etc.
Maintains optimal microflora in the ear and moisturizes its walls.

With the normal functioning of the body, sulfur is produced exactly as much as necessary. It does not “stick out” and does not spoil the appearance of a person. If you start to actively and regularly cleanse it, you artificially irritate the sulfur glands and activate a large production of sulfur. In another case, the synthesis of biological material may stop altogether, which will lead to irreversible consequences and complications. So, with increased production of sulfur, sulfur plugs are formed, with reduced production, itching and excessive dryness appear in the ear canal.

Can you clean your ears with cotton swabs?

The most popular accessory for cleaning the ears are cotton buds. Initially they were intended for local application of brilliant green or iodine, as well as for use in cosmetic purposes. However, inventive people came up with a new use for them - cleaning the ears. But few people know that the use of cotton buds will do more harm than good:

The use of sticks threatens to rupture the eardrum, which can subsequently lead to complete hearing loss and the appearance of dizzy spells.
Cleaning the ears with cotton swabs can damage the skin and bring infections into open wounds. This threatens with development - an inflammatory disease of the ear.
Pushing the formed plug deep into the ear canal, as a result of which it is possible to get rid of it only with the help of special washing.

How to clean your ears at home

In order to clean the ear and not damage it, follow these simple recommendations:

Proper care of the auricle and passage will allow you to maintain the health of the organ and its normal functioning for a long time. Remember, ear cleaning is more of a cosmetic procedure than a hygienic one.