How to remove sulfur plug at home. Effective preventive measures

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Many of us have experienced such a problem as hearing loss due to the formation of a large amount of sulfur in the ear canal.

Ear wax in humans is produced constantly and performs a protective function. It can grow in the ear quite slowly and not cause discomfort until its amount becomes critical and closes the ear canal.

It is safest and most effective to seek help from a specialist, but in some cases, you can resort to methods that will help you solve this problem yourself. Ear plug how to remove at home without harming health - everyone should know.

The main reasons for the formation of sulfur plug

A certain amount of sulfur is formed in the ear canal, which gradually accumulates and dries up, microbes, dust particles settle on it, after which it peels off on its own and comes out.

The removal of the sulfur plug occurs with the help of cartilage, which is mobile during speech and digestion of food, under such an influence, sulfur is pushed out spontaneously.

To understand whether it is possible to remove the ear plug yourself, you need to determine the reasons for its formation.

The main reasons for the formation of a plug in the ear canal are:

Symptoms indicating the formation of sulfur plug

As a rule, the formation of a sulfur plug in the ear canal is accompanied by characteristic symptoms:

• If the plug is small - there are no signs of its presence, if it covers more than 50% of the ear canal, hearing loss and a feeling of congestion.
• in my head hear the resonance of your voice, while extraneous noise seems to be slightly muffled.
• If the cork is large enough, it may appear severe headaches and dizziness.

You can get rid of ear plugs without special diagnostics, tests and complex procedures, except in severe cases. In most cases, a visit to an otolaryngologist is sufficient.

A specialist using a special tool will examine the ear canal. If there are complaints from the patient and a large amount of gray or yellow matter in the auricles, an accurate diagnosis is established.

An additional examination is necessary only in case of suspicion of any complications.

Possible complications associated with the presence of sulfur plug

Sulfur plug, like any disease, is easier to prevent than to treat. In fact, it is not dangerous, but if you do not get it in time, unpleasant consequences can arise.

It must be remembered that complications often arise not so much because of the presence of the sulfur plug itself, but because of its inaccurate or incorrect removal.

Complications caused by the presence of sulfur plug:

• Inflammation. In rare cases, aggressive rinsing of the ear canal can contribute to an inflammatory process that can lead to otitis media or hearing loss. This condition is accompanied by hearing loss and pain in the ear canal.
• Neuralgia. If the plug is large enough and deep enough, it can compress the auditory nerve, leading to headache, dizziness, reflex cough, nausea, and in rare cases, vomiting.
• Perforation of the tympanic membrane . Damage to the membrane occurs due to improper washing of the ear canal under the pressure of water or an attempt to pull out the cork with cotton swabs or tools.
• hearing loss . In severe cases, the ear plug causes severe inflammation of the ear canal, which can lead to partial hearing loss. In this case, hearing restoration is possible with long-term treatment.

Medical treatment

Despite the fact that the cork in the ears is visually noticeable, it is not recommended to remove it at home by any means at hand. Today, the pharmacy network presents an extensive range of medicines that can greatly facilitate the process of removing earwax from the ears on their own.

Before you clean the ear canal using medications, you need to consult with a competent specialist who will examine the ear canal and indicate how to dissolve your sulfuric plug. Sulfur plugs differ in their consistency, so various drugs are used to soften them.

Medications for effective removal of traffic jams:

Effective folk methods

Alternative methods for removing sulfur plugs can be quite effective, but they should be used with extreme caution. They are designed to quickly remove wax, but not to treat various ear diseases.

With prolonged pain in the ear, severe headaches, bloody and purulent discharge, any folk methods can be used only after consulting a specialist.

Folk remedies:

The presence of a sulfur plug can provoke quite serious complications.

In addition to frequent headaches and hearing loss, this condition significantly increases the risk of developing various inflammatory processes. Their treatment involves a fairly long therapy.

It is possible to avoid complications and negative consequences only with the timely elimination of this problem.

• Ignore the appearance of sulfur plugs;
• Clean ears, remove wax with cotton swabs and other items;
• In the presence of the first signs of complications, postpone a visit to the otolaryngologist.

Preventive measures

Prevention aimed at the formation of sulfur in the ear canals is not difficult. Timely treatment of ENT diseases and basic hygiene greatly reduce the risk of sulfur plugs.

If you clean your ears too vigorously, you can remove a large amount of sulfur, which is necessary for protective functions.

Here are some simple tips to help prevent congestion:

• Use cotton swabs to remove dirt only in the area of ​​the outer ear;
• Hygiene of the ear passages;
• When swimming in pools, ponds and rivers, protect your ears from water ingress. This serves as a preventive measure against the formation of sulfur plugs and infection;
• When swimming, limit the ingress of water into the ears, wear swimming caps or use cotton swabs in the ears;
• If the work is associated with industrial noise or dust, it is recommended to use protective headphones or earplugs;
• Avoid prolonged exposure to dry air or high humidity;
• Removal of contaminants of the outer and inner ear;
• Timely treatment of ENT diseases.

One of the most common reasons for turning to an ENT, both among adults and among children, is blockage of the ear passages with excess sulfur, which causes many very unpleasant and sometimes painful sensations. You need to know how to get a sulfur plug out of your ear without harming yourself, and if necessary, your baby.

How do you get a wax plug out of your ear?

The presence of sulfur in the ear passages was not provided by nature by chance - this substance prevents the penetration of infections from the outside, and also removes particles of dead epithelium, excess sebum and ... dust from the external environment from the ear.

Earwax performs noble functions, but quite often its excessive accumulation and blockage of the ear canal occur. The causes can be very different - from otitis media and other pathological conditions leading to excessive secretion of sulfur, to tortuous and narrow auditory pathways and poor hygiene. Important: do not try to penetrate the ear as deeply as possible with a cotton swab during regular care. This is what in most cases leads to tamping of sulfur and the formation of sulfur plugs. You only need to wipe the ear.

The consequences of the presence of a sulfuric plug cannot be called pleasant:

Weakening or complete loss of hearing

Dizziness and headaches

Nausea,

With such symptoms, the first thing to do is to consult a doctor. The specialist will accurately determine their origin and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, will prescribe the appropriate procedure. But what to do if you know the diagnosis for sure, and there is no way to resort to the help of a doctor?

Before you remove the cork from your ear yourself, make sure of the following:

In the accuracy of the diagnosis - otherwise, you can cause irreparable harm to yourself;

In the absence of the following diseases and conditions: otitis media, perforation of the eardrum, diabetes mellitus.

Important: in no case should you try to remove the sulfur plug by mechanical action using tweezers, hairpins, needles, toothpicks, etc. Such manipulations require certain skills and special surgical instruments. Otherwise, you will not only not remove the sulfur plug, but also aggravate the situation.

So, being sure that in your case the cause of hearing loss or other signs is really a sulfur plug, we proceed to get rid of it on our own. You can try on yourself the effect of special medicines in the form of drops, or you can act as follows, following the sequence of steps:

Softening the sulfur plug with glycerin, vegetable oil or hydrogen peroxide (required 3%, otherwise a burn cannot be avoided!) At room temperature in the amount of 4-5 drops. It is better done at night in a lying or sitting position, the sore ear is on top. Insert a swab into the ear canal;

In the morning, we pre-wash the ear with the same hydrogen peroxide using a 20 ml syringe or syringe. The agent is poured until its excess pours out;

The cork is actually washed out with warm water under pressure from the shower, from which the nozzle is removed. Water is directed into the auricle from a distance that gradually decreases. The softened cork should come out without problems.

If such measures did not help, you can repeat the procedure after a few days, but it is better to consult a doctor.

How to get a cork out of a child's ear?

Unfortunately, babies suffer from this problem just as often as adults. The difficulty of the situation lies in the fact that, while older children can report their problem, it is difficult for a very young child to tell about pain or hearing loss.

Often, children simply adapt to such negative changes, believing that this is the norm. Parents should carefully monitor changes in the behavior and well-being of their child, not letting this difficult problem take its course. If adults notice a hearing loss in a baby, difficulties in understanding, capriciousness - it's time to contact a specialist. If going to the doctor is not possible at the moment, we act according to the following scenario:

You can drip into the sore ear sterilized in a water bath for 20 minutes warm (37 °) vegetable oil. It is necessary to drip 2-3 drops 3 times a day. This will cause the cork to come out, depending on its hardness, in the period from 3 days to a week;

Instead of vegetable oil, it is permissible to use 3% hydrogen peroxide (attention - no need to heat!);

It is quite effective to use ready-made pharmaceutical products, pouring the indicated rate of medicine into the ear and leaving it for a period of 1 to 10 minutes. Then the child must turn over with the other ear up so that the cork leaves the passage along with the injected agent.

Now you know how to get earwax out of your ear, but do not forget about the importance of medical participation in all health-related problems.

Many people believe that wax in the ears is something to get rid of, and few people know that it is the most important element that performs the function of protecting the ear canal.

Nevertheless, despite its positive aspects, sulfuric matter must be periodically removed. It is the excessive formation of a substance caused by the increased work of the sebaceous glands that leads to the formation of an ear plug.

Before deciding on how you can remove ear wax on your own, let's talk about the causes of ear plugs, and also find out what they can be.

In terms of their consistency, plugs in the ears may differ slightly, namely:

• pasty soft. Such accumulations of sulfuric matter are relatively easy to remove and, as a rule, have a yellowish tint;
• viscous plugs in the ears that look like plasticine. They have a characteristic brown color;
• dry and hard. Such accumulations are characterized by a tight fit to the wall of the auditory canal or even to the tympanic membrane itself. No wonder they are also called stony, because they can hardly be removed. Such clusters are characterized by dark shades, up to black;
• dense plugs, which, in addition to the sulfuric substance itself, include a purulent secret and the epidermis.

Cotton swabs are intended for hygiene of the external auricle only!

What causes sulfur accumulation?

The accumulation of sulfuric matter is a fairly common problem that is prone to recurring cases, which is why it is worth understanding what provokes the appearance of the problem.

The main reasons include:

• increased viscosity of sulfur;
• features of the structure of the auditory canal, namely, with a narrow and winding. This is not a pathology, just in this case, hygiene needs to be paid more attention;
• improper hygiene. Most people make a huge mistake: they clean their ear canals with cotton swabs, which are not designed for this purpose. It only seems to you that you are extracting sulfuric matter with a stick, in fact, only its liquid part remains on it. But what happens? When cleaning with an ear stick, sulfuric matter is pushed deep into the ear canal, it begins to compact and turn into a cork. Remember that the introduction of any objects into the ear canal can lead to irritation and injury to the auricle, and in some cases even damage to the eardrum;
• increased work of the sebaceous glands. The auricle is cleaned on its own, but with hyperfunction of the sebaceous glands, it simply does not have time to do it. According to experts, increased levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to increased work of the sebaceous glands;
• hereditary factor;
• rapid hair growth in the ear canal;
• consequences of otitis media and sinusitis;
• use of headphones;
• dry air;
• living or professional activities in dusty conditions.

If you notice the first symptoms, contact your otolaryngologist immediately

Interestingly, sulfur plugs often do not manifest themselves in any way and do not cause discomfort to their owners, which is why patients often find out about their presence in the otolaryngologist's office.

Nevertheless, the following signs may indicate the obvious presence of a sulfur plug:

• hearing loss;
• the appearance of noise in the ears;
• the resonance of your own voice.

Sometimes the presence of a plug in the ears can irritate the nerve endings, in which case the following clinical picture occurs:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• nausea, and in some cases even vomiting;
• cough.

Getting rid of the problem

You can remove the accumulation of sulfuric matter yourself under the following conditions:

• the eardrum is not damaged;
• there is confidence that it was the sulfur plug that caused the discomfort;
• the day before you did not suffer an inflammatory disease, in particular otitis media or sinusitis;
• you do not have diabetes.

You can remove the accumulation of the substance yourself only if it is soft and light

Removing the problem step by step

If you decide to remove the cork at home, then follow a certain order in performing your actions.

The first stage is the softening of the sulfur plug

It is best to do this before going to bed, just during the night the accumulation will soften better, and it will be much easier to eliminate it.

To carry out the procedure at home, you will need the following:

• pipette;
• cotton wool;
• hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. Alternatively, you can take vegetable oil or glycerin.

Five drops of the product used should be instilled into the ear canal. The ear in which the wax plug is located should be at the top. To straighten the ear canal, the auricle should be pulled back and then up. After the product has been instilled into the ear, close the entrance with a cotton swab.

Washing

This is already happening the next morning when you get up. Just by this time, the cork softened well.

For the first flush, we need hydrogen peroxide and a syringe without a needle. We turn the head to one side and pour the remedy into the ear canal until it starts to flow back out. Then you should lie down for ten minutes.

The process of directly washing out the cork from the ear

Wash the cork with warm water under pressure. You can even use a shower hose at home. Remember that the water should never be hot.

The plug should quickly come out of your ear, bringing you relief.

Prevention is better than cure

What can be done at home to prevent the problem from developing. Stick to the following simple guidelines, and sulfuric matter will not accumulate:

• proper ear hygiene. We will talk about the execution technique a little later;
• do not use cotton swabs to clean the ear canals;
• try not to get cold water in your ears. When bathing, wear a cap or cover your ear canal with a cotton swab;
• cold air is the same provocateur of sulfur accumulation as cold water, so avoid sudden changes in temperature;
• monitor the humidity of the air, use special humidifiers or improvised materials;
• if your professional activity is related to work in dusty areas, use protective equipment: earmuffs, biryushki;
• control your blood cholesterol levels.

It is not always possible to see the cork with the naked eye.

Sulfur plugs in children

It is necessary to remove accumulations of matter from a child correctly, adhering to the following recommendations:

• never remove the cork with a needle or tweezers. So you are more likely to harm your child than achieve the goal. Cotton buds are not an option either;
• The pharmacy sells special solutions for rinsing. First of all, you should calm the child so that he is not nervous and not afraid. After you have poured the solution into the ear canal, let the baby lie down in this position for one minute, then turn it to the other side so that the solution flows out;
• a good effect is the use of vegetable oil, which is heated to body temperature. One drop of oil is administered twice a day for five days. After this period, the cork should come out by itself, but if this does not happen, then it is better, of course, to contact a specialist;
• you can compress. It is necessary to grind the garlic and mix it with camphor oil. A cotton turunda is moistened with this agent, and inserted into the ear canal for ten minutes. Garlic can provoke a burning sensation, so if your child is cranky, then this method will not work.

Ear hygiene as a remedy for the accumulation of sulfuric matter

The best hygiene for the ears is to wash the ear itself, as well as the visible part of the ear canal, with plain water.

I would like to note once again that it is not worth cleaning the ear with cotton swabs, by doing this you can not only provoke the accumulation of sulfuric matter, but also seriously injure the eardrum, skin, and also cause an infection.

Self-cleaning of the ear canals is a natural process in our body, so the desire to help can only harm

Complications

If the child’s problems are not eliminated in time, then unpleasant consequences may appear, namely:

• bedsores of the ear canal;
• chronic rhinitis;
• hearing loss;
• inflammatory processes of a bacterial nature.

Do not forget that sulfur matter is needed to maintain normal microflora in the ear. In sulfur, pathogenic bacteria do not multiply, which means that it performs a protective function. In addition, it is a good lubricant that moisturizes and cleans.

Interestingly, during the act of chewing, talking, as well as bathing in the shower, sulfur falls out on its own. Active cleaning can provoke an increased work of the sebaceous glands, and, as a result, traffic jams will begin to form.

So, sulfur plug is an unpleasant phenomenon that can appear in both adults and children. Many reasons can provoke the development of the problem. Don't let the situation take its course. Contact a specialist and be healthy!

Complications of otitis media, in turn, are divided into complications of otitis externa, otitis media and otitis media.

Complications of otitis media

Prevention of the formation of sulfur plugs

To prevent the formation of sulfur plugs, it is necessary:

• properly clean the ears;
• avoid getting moisture in the ears;
• avoid being in dusty environments;
• try less often to resort to the use of headphones and telephone headsets;
• avoid otitis, and if they occur, treat as soon as possible and efficiently.

In addition, it should be noted that proper cleaning of the ears involves the removal of sulfur masses only around the entrance to the external auditory canal. A deeper insertion of the cotton swab pushes the sulfur deeper into the canal, also provoking the formation of a plug.

Finally, the frequency of ear cleaning should not exceed twice a week. More frequent cleaning leads to irritation of the ceruminous glands of the external auditory canal and the formation of more earwax.

Avoiding moisture in the ears
Any household moisture ( showering, swimming in open water, etc.), which enters the external auditory canal, is obviously contaminated with microbes. Microbes, in contact with living tissue, cause harm to it, to which the body responds with an inflammatory reaction. The inflammatory reaction leads to the formation of sulfur plugs according to the above mechanism.

Avoiding dusty environments
Sulfur, in the form in which people imagine it, for the most part consists of dust particles. In this regard, it is easy to guess that dust appears in the sulfur from the external environment, and the secret of the ceruminous glands in the wall of the external auditory canal is designed to capture and remove it from the ear in a natural way.

There is a certain dependence of the intensity of the work of the ceruminous glands on the degree of environmental pollution. According to this dependence, an increase in environmental pollution reflexively leads to an increase in the secretion of these glands. In other words, the more dust in the environment, the more sulfur is formed in the ears.

Reduced use of headphones and mobile headsets
The fact that the use of headphones leads to hearing loss is well known and repeatedly confirmed both in the laboratory and clinically. However, not many people know that headphones also lead to excess wax formation and plugging. Firstly, they form a closed space in the external auditory canal, which leads to a local increase in humidity and, as a result, to an increase in the likelihood of otitis externa. Secondly, the headphones themselves, especially the vacuum type of attachment, penetrate deep enough into the external auditory canal, mechanically irritating its walls and also leading to otitis media. With otitis, the rate of sulfur formation accelerates, and the sulfur itself becomes denser due to increasing edema.

Avoidance of otitis and their timely treatment
Since otitis media is a factor that directly leads to the formation of sulfur plugs, it is strongly recommended to treat this disease as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to prevent its transition to a chronic form. Chronic otitis externa is characterized by a narrowing of the external auditory canal, leading to difficulty in self-evacuation of sulfuric masses.

Is it possible to use hydrogen peroxide, boric acid, as well as sunflower and other types of oils to remove sulfur plug?

In order to fight this disease, people invented various medicines, some of which helped, some did not help, and the rest harmed. Thus, experience in the treatment of sulfuric plugs gradually accumulated, some of which have survived to this day. In this regard, it is not worth taking folk methods of treatment lightly, especially considering the fact that they laid the foundation for most modern pharmacological preparations.

Most natural preparations have been investigated, and the mechanism of their therapeutic action has been studied. Based on the information received, new synthetic drugs were created, the effectiveness of which is several times higher than folk remedies, and side effects, respectively, are lower. However, these funds can not be bought in all pharmacies, and their cost may be quite large for the average patient. Old-fashioned methods of treating sulfur plugs are still relevant to this day, since these medicines can be made independently or purchased at a low price.

Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an affordable drug sold in any pharmacy. This drug quite effectively helps with sulfuric plug, due to some features of its action. It has a local antiseptic effect, that is, it destroys microbes upon contact with them. In addition, hydrogen peroxide, upon contact with living tissue, releases a large amount of foam. Upon contact with sulfur plugs, foam is also released, since it is largely composed of biochemical compounds. The foam not only softens the cork, but also mechanically separates it into small lumps, which are gradually released from the ear on their own.

It is important to add that the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide solution should be approximately equal to body temperature, that is, 36 - 38 degrees. At lower temperatures, reflex bradycardia may develop ( decrease in heart rate) and headache due to eardrum irritation. A higher temperature of the solution is dangerous because it can cause a burn of the delicate epithelium that covers the eardrum.

Burying hydrogen peroxide into the ears should be 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops. Duration of application should not exceed 5 days. If after this period the cork is not released, then you should seek help from a specialist, that is, an ENT doctor.

However, due to the same mechanism of action, hydrogen peroxide cannot be used in cases where there are objective direct or indirect signs of a violation of the integrity of the skin inside the external auditory canal.

Direct signs of damage to the integrity of the external auditory canal are:

• outflow of blood from the external auditory canal;
• liquor flow ( cerebrospinal fluid) from the external auditory canal;
• outflow of pus from the external auditory canal.

• bursting and throbbing pain in the ear ( associated otitis media(ear infection));
• previous attempts to remove the sulfur plug with objects not intended for this purpose ( matches, hairpins, ballpoint pen paste, keys, etc.).

Boric acid
Boric acid, like hydrogen peroxide, is a local antiseptic. For instillation into the ears with a sulfur plug, a 3% solution of this substance is used. Upon contact with the cork, it softens. As the cork softens, it swells and in some cases changes shape, which usually leads to partial or complete release of the cork. The contact of boric acid with the walls of the external auditory canal is accompanied by a feeling of warming in the ear, as well as a local antiseptic effect. In other words, this medicine destroys microbes in the ear, preventing the occurrence of an inflammatory reaction.

If the skin of the external auditory canal is damaged, the use of boric acid can lead to pain. However, the low concentration of the active substance in the solution does not cause serious organic damage, which can occur in the case of hydrogen peroxide. The temperature of the solution should be approximately equal to the temperature of the body, as in the previous case.

Boric acid is instilled into the ears 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops. The duration of treatment on average takes 3-5 days. Longer treatment rarely causes complications, but its usefulness is questionable. If the cork is not resolved within the above period, then the chosen method is considered ineffective, and it is worth contacting a specialist to remove the cork.

Vegetable and other types of oils
Oily substances can be successfully used to remove sulfur plugs. Like water-based substances, they impregnate the sulfuric plug, leading to its deformation and partial or complete exit from the external auditory canal. Oiled skin greatly facilitates the natural release of sulfur. In addition, there is an opinion that some types of oils have a moderate local anti-inflammatory effect.

Oils for instillation into the ears can be purchased at the pharmacy in a ready-to-use form, as well as prepared in your own kitchen from oils bought in a store or on the market.

Ready-to-use oils include:

• corn oil;
• Vaseline oil;
• almond oil;
• Peach oil;
• camphor oil;
• peanut butter, etc.

• sunflower oil;
• olive oil.

The method of using oils is the same as in previous cases - 2-3 times a day, for 3-5 days. If the cork does not come out, then you need to stop self-medication and consult a doctor.

What is the prognosis for sulfur plug?

Due to its nature, a sulfur plug can be in a person’s ear for a long time, absolutely not manifesting itself and not disturbing him. Only with complete blockage of the external auditory canal, some unpleasant sensations arise, such as ear congestion, noise in the ear, hum, throbbing pain, etc. Blockage of the external auditory canal with a stopper often occurs under the influence of such environmental factors as atmospheric pressure drops and increased humidity. The type of activity and habits can also increase the occurrence of sulfur plugs. Thus, work in dusty, noisy conditions, as well as the use of headphones and a mobile headset, leads to a reflex increase in the amount of sulfur formed, and, accordingly, to an increase in the frequency of traffic jams.

The main cause of complications leading to a worse prognosis of this condition is the inflammatory process. The inflammatory focus is initially formed in the space between the sulfur plug and the eardrum. Since this space is closed, fluid soon accumulates in it, pressing on the eardrum and causing a feeling of stuffiness in the ear. Over time, pathogenic microbes multiply in this space, affecting surrounding tissues. The inflammatory reaction in this case aims to limit the spread of microbes to the deeper parts of the ear.

Typically, otitis externa and otitis media inflammation of the external auditory canal and structures of the tympanic cavity) causes such severe pain that the patient tries to see a doctor as soon as possible and begin treatment. Simply removing the cerumen plug and instilling an antiseptic solution into the ear is, in most cases, sufficient to stop the inflammation and prevent serious complications from developing. However, when the inflammation develops too rapidly or is treated late, it spreads to the entire cavity of the middle ear and the structures of the inner ear. Suppuration of the above areas is especially dangerous because it can lead to partial or complete deafness. From the tympanic cavity along the nerve fibers, pus can spread into the cranium, causing meningitis ( inflammation of the dura mater of the brain) and meningoencephalitis ( inflammation of the hard shell and tissues of the brain itself). The latter complications are difficult to treat and often lead to the death of the patient.

However, fortunately, such complications are extremely rare. For the most part, this is because patients are unable to endure the pain of the intensity that often accompanies acute otitis media. In addition, modern medicines and medical instrumental manipulations can successfully cure even severe purulent otitis media, preventing the pathological process from penetrating the brain.

Summarizing the above, it should be noted that sulfur plugs are not a serious illness and their prognosis is mostly favorable. However, this condition should not be taken lightly, because with improper and untimely treatment, it can become complicated, leading to irreversible changes in the ear as an organ of hearing and balance. The most correct and effective treatment can only be provided by a specialist in diseases of the ear, throat and nose, that is, an otorhinolaryngologist ( ENT).

How dangerous is sulfur plug?

Sulfur plugs can be found in the ears of almost every second inhabitant of the globe. 90% of the time they do not manifest themselves in any way, being, so to speak, in a passive state. However, under certain circumstances, sulfuric plugs sharply increase in size or shift in such a way that they clog the external auditory canal.

Among the factors leading to blockage of the external auditory canal with sulfur include:

• high atmospheric humidity or direct moisture in the ears;
• sudden changes in atmospheric pressure;
• improper ear hygiene;
• elderly age;
• high density of hair in the ears;
• work in conditions of high dust content;
• frequent use of headphones and a mobile headset.

Mechanical complications include all conditions in which the sulfur plug compresses the eardrum. Due to compression, symptoms such as local pain, distant pain appear ( pain at a distance from the immediate focus), nausea and dizziness. Also, due to the fact that the tympanic membrane is abundantly innervated by the fibers of the autonomic nervous system, some patients experience a change in heart rate, alternating constipation with diarrhea, and other autonomic disorders.

Complications of sulfuric plug, mediated by the inflammatory process, as a rule, have some staging. This staging lies in the fact that the inflammatory process first arises in a small closed space between the cork and the tympanic membrane, and then spreads to the middle and inner ear. In the above space, liquid gradually accumulates. For the microbes in it, ideal conditions are created in order to multiply uncontrollably - moisture, heat and nutrients obtained from the sulfur itself and the epithelium of the external auditory canal. As the number of microbes grows, their destructive effect on surrounding tissues also increases. In response to the aggressive actions of microbes, the body responds with an accumulation of leukocytes in the focus of infection, which, having absorbed the microbe, digest it and often die after that. The accumulation of dead leukocytes with microbes inside them macroscopically ( visible to the naked eye) is pus. Thus, the further inflammation penetrates, the more dangerous it is considered.

In connection with the foregoing, according to the severity of the inflammatory process and the degree of its progression, there are:

• otitis externa ( ear infection);
• otitis media;
• otitis media.

Complications of otitis externa are:

• chronic external otitis;
• stenosis of the external auditory canal.

Stenosis of the external auditory canal
A rare complication that develops, as a rule, after repeated acute purulent external otitis, accompanied by the formation of numerous adhesions ( connective tissue strands). Over time, adhesions tighten, leading to deformation and narrowing of the lumen of the external auditory canal.

Complications of otitis media are:

• tympanosclerosis;
• perforation of the eardrum;
• fistula formation;
• adhesive otitis media;
• conductive hearing loss.

Perforation of the tympanic membrane
Perforation of the tympanic membrane occurs simultaneously, when purulent masses corrode its thickness and penetrate into the tympanic cavity under pressure.

Formation of a fistula
The tympanic cavity normally communicates with the oral cavity through the Eustachian tube. With inflammation, the lumen of these tubes narrows. This mechanism is a physiological barrier to the spread of inflammation from one cavity to another. Thus, the pus accumulating in the tympanic cavity gradually increases the pressure inside it. It cannot go on like this indefinitely, and sooner or later the pus begins to look for a way out through weak points. The outcome is considered relatively favorable when a fistula tract is formed that goes out. At the same time, pain and temperature decrease sharply, and a chronic focus of infection persists for a long time in the tympanic cavity. With an unfavorable outcome, pus penetrates the structures of the inner ear or brain.

Adhesive otitis media
The consequences of purulent inflammation inside the eardrum are numerous adhesions. They are formed randomly, often squeezing the auditory ossicles and leading to their immobility.

Conductive hearing loss
Conductive ( conductive) hearing loss is a pathological condition in which hearing loss occurs due to a violation of the conversion of sound vibrations into mechanical movements of the auditory ossicles and further conduction of these movements to the vestibule window ( inner ear structure). The main causes of conductive hearing loss are tympanosclerosis and adhesive otitis media.

Complications of internal otitis are:

• adhesive internal otitis;
• sensorineural hearing loss;
• neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve;
• otogenic meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

Adhesive otitis media
Adhesive internal otitis media, like adhesive otitis media, develops as a result of suppuration of the corresponding cavity. With otitis media, inflammation develops in the tympanic cavity, and with internal otitis media - in the vestibule of the cochlea, the cochlea itself or in the semicircular arches. After the inflammation subsides, connective tissue constrictions are formed outside the above organs or in their cavity, deforming these organs. The more pronounced the adhesive process, the lower the ability of the organ of Corti to perceive sounds.

Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by hearing loss due to violations of the integrity of the nerves that transmit sensitive impulses from the ear to the brain, pathological processes in the auditory analyzer area in the brain, and damage to the sensory part of the auditory analyzer ( Organ of Corti) located in the cochlea. The main causes of sensorineural hearing loss are vestibulocochlear neuritis, cerebral stroke, multiple sclerosis, and adhesive otitis media.

Neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve
This pathological condition is characterized by the transition of the inflammatory process to the perineural ( surrounding nerve) space of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Otogenic meningitis and meningoencephalitis
This complication is perhaps the most dangerous of all of the above, since it can lead to the death of the patient, even with proper treatment. If meningitis or meningoencephalitis can be cured, then these pathologies always leave behind serious morphological disorders, leading to mental retardation and mental disorders.

Summarizing the above, we can conclude that, in principle, sulfur plug is a fairly simple pathological condition that is easily treatable. Complications, especially the more severe ones, are more casuistry than the rule. However, it is also not worth taking this pathology lightly, so as not to fall into the number of those very unfortunate exceptions.

How effective are phytocandles in removing sulfur plug?

Phytocandles are hollow tubes from 20 to 30 cm long. A layer of various essential oils and wax is applied to their inner surface. The most common oils include sea buckthorn, clove, eucalyptus, olive, cocoa butter, vaseline oil with the addition of chamomile, celandine and other herbs. The frame of the tube consists of a slow-burning substance. One side of the tube is equipped with a narrow tip and foil for placement in the ear. Also on all phytocandles there is a mark, upon reaching which the flame must be extinguished.

These drugs can only be used with the help of a second person who controls the combustion process. To install a candle, the patient is invited to lie on his side, substituting a small pillow under his head. A napkin or cardboard is placed on the ear, which is on top, often supplied with candles. In the center of a napkin or cardboard, a hole is made with a diameter equal to the diameter of the candle. Then the candle itself is placed in this hole, the narrowed edge of which is inserted into the external auditory meatus. Insert the candle into the ear very carefully, without pressing it. After that, the candle is ignited from the free end and slowly burns out. Upon reaching the limit mark, the candle is first removed and then extinguished ( in this order, in order to avoid falling ashes on the cheek or temple). With a sulfur plug, such manipulations are done no more than 1 time in 3 days. If after two or three attempts it is not possible to remove the plug, then you should seek further help from an ENT doctor.

The mechanism of action of phytocandles is associated with the creation of negative pressure in the tube due to the burning of one of its ends. Thus, the resulting draft unobtrusively sucks out sulfur, which is eventually deposited on the walls of the candle. In addition, when burning a candle, thick smoke is formed, which settles in the external auditory meatus. The smoke contains combustion products of essential oils, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and reduce the severity of sulfur plug manifestations.

In order to assess how effective phytocandles are, it is necessary to compare their advantages and disadvantages.

Comparative characteristics of phytocandles

Can the ear hurt after removing the cerumen plug?

Also, patients may complain that as long as the cork was in the ear, they did not feel pain, but a few hours after its removal, the pain began to increase. This scenario is typical for a situation where inflammation in the space between the cork and the eardrum has just occurred immediately before the removal of the cork. In this case, the cause of the emerging otitis externa ( inflammation of the external ear) is eliminated, and otitis media progresses on its own.

As stated above, pain is a consequence of the inflammatory process. The connection between the sulfur plug and the inflammatory process is as follows. For a long time, the cork forms in the ear without causing any sensations. In other words, such a plug is conditionally in a passive state. However, under the influence of such factors as moisture, changes in atmospheric pressure, high dust content of the environment, the sulfuric plug sharply increases in size and completely seals the external auditory canal.

Thus, a small enclosed space often forms behind the weed plug, a quarter and a half milliliter in volume. Over time, fluid accumulates in this space. For microbes located in it, the main conditions for reproduction are formed - heat, high humidity and a nutrient medium, which is the secret of the sebaceous and ceruminous glands, as well as the epithelium itself. Thus, in a short time, the population of microbes increases to a level at which they become able to damage the surrounding tissues and cause an inflammatory process. In the deployment of the inflammatory process, a wide variety of immune cells are involved, which cause swelling, redness and local pain reaction.

The pains are usually sharp, throbbing in nature. The intensity of pain varies, from mild to severe, excruciating. With a high intensity of pain, symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc. often overlap. The appearance of discharge from the ear, such as blood or pus, is an unfavorable prognostic sign that requires an immediate return visit to the doctor. Typically, such complications require the appointment of broad-spectrum antibiotics locally and systemically.

The key to the disappearance of pain is to reduce the inflammatory process. For this purpose, ear drops with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic effects are used. Often antibiotics are also included in the composition of the drops.

These drugs include:

• otipax;
• anauran;
• otoph;
• dexon;
• tsipromed;
• normax;
• sofradex, etc.

Does it hurt to wash your ear with a sulfuric plug?

Pain when washing the external auditory canal can occur for the following reasons:

• external or otitis media;
• tight application of the syringe tip when washing the ear;
• uncomfortable temperature of the ear wash solution.

Sealing the syringe tip when rinsing the ear
Quite often, patients with severe pain in the ear / ears that have arisen after washing them at home are admitted to the emergency departments of hospitals. When examining these patients, it is found that the pain is caused by perforation or severe deformation of one or both eardrums. As a rule, such conditions are the result of non-compliance with the correct technique of washing the ears.

Numerous articles on wax plugs indicate the correct sequence for rinsing the ears at home. One of the prerequisites is loose attachment of the syringe tip to the entrance to the external auditory canal. This part allows the fluid entering the ear to exit unhindered, piece by piece washing away the fragments of the cerumen plug. However, some patients, seeking to wash the cerumen plug in one procedure, insist that the person assisting them in carrying out this manipulation put the syringe tightly to the ear and press on the plunger. This creates positive pressure in the ear, sufficient to perforate the eardrum at its weakest point and cause microbes to enter the middle ear cavity ( tympanic cavity). Surely it is not worth explaining that both the very moment of the rupture of the eardrum, and the inflammation that follows this cause severe pain.

Uncomfortable temperature of the earwash solution
The above rules for washing the ear at home mention that the temperature of the solution used with antiseptics should be comfortable, that is, in the range from 36 to 40 degrees. A colder liquid, upon contact with the tympanic membrane, can cause reflex headaches, as well as a change in heart rate, due to irritation of the autonomic nerve fibers that innervate it abundantly. Hotter liquid can cause a thermal burn, which also causes severe pain and deformity of the eardrum.

How effective are folk methods for extracting sulfuric cork?

Traditional methods of treatment are in many ways similar to traditional methods used in medicine today. This similarity is quite logical and is simply explained by the fact that modern medicine takes its roots in the depths of centuries-old folk wisdom. However, traditional medicine, unlike traditional medicine, does not stand still, but moves in step with scientific discoveries. Medicines are becoming more effective, more stable, cleaning methods are more perfect. Thanks to the calculations of physiologists and the use of highly sensitive and high-precision measuring equipment, drug regimens become more effective. The process of creating drugs is automated and practically eliminates the subjective factor and the flaws associated with it.

Comparing folk and traditional methods of treating sulfur plugs, it should be noted that both are based on instillation of ears with solutions of antiseptics, anesthetics ( painkillers) and antibiotics, as well as various methods of washing the external auditory canal.

Among folk drops in the ears are distinguished:

• almond oil;
• juice of an onion baked in the husk;
• boiled sunflower oil;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• baking soda solution, etc.

• washing the ears with ordinary syringes;
• rinsing the ears with a shower hose without a nozzle;
• burning hollow wax candles of one's own preparation, one end in the ear, etc.

The most common complications of alternative methods of treatment are:

• inflammation;
• allergic reactions;
• chemical or thermal burn;
• perforation of the tympanic membrane, etc.

Allergic reaction
Some people may have a high allergic sensitivity to some of the components of the drug.

The most common allergic reactions are caused by:

• flower pollen;
• spices;
• vinegar;
• chemical additives;
• citrus;
• strawberries;
• coffee;
• blackcurrant;
• mustard;
• brewer's yeast;
• mold and others.

Chemical or thermal burn
There is such an expression: “Only the measure is curative, everything else is poison.” In other words, even the best medicinal substances can have a negative impact on the health of the patient if they are used in the wrong concentration, according to the wrong scheme. It is with this fact that the lack of medicines prepared at home is connected. It is quite difficult to assess the concentration of a solution, infusion or decoction, especially if the patient is preparing it for the first time. Too high a concentration can cause chemical burns to the tissues of the ear, while a low concentration is unlikely to help.

The situation is similar with the temperatures of solutions instilled into the ears. Normally, it should be 36 - 40 degrees. Lower temperatures can cause unwanted autonomic reflexes, while higher temperatures can lead to thermal burns of the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane.

Perforation of the tympanic membrane
Perforation of the tympanic membrane can occur when the tip of the syringe is firmly attached to the entrance to the external auditory canal. When you press the syringe plunger in the external auditory canal, an increased pressure is sharply created, sufficient for the perforation of the eardrum to occur.

Summing up the above, it should be noted that folk medicines can be used without fear only if the prescription is received from a doctor, and this recipe contains all the nuances of its preparation. However, the need for folk recipes for extracting sulfuric cork is not so great, since today there is a wide variety of drugs for the medical treatment of this condition, which are quite accessible to any patient.

Most often, the patient turns to the otolaryngologist, not knowing how to remove the sulfur plug from the ear himself. At least once in a lifetime, every person faces such problems, although it is a common thing for millions of people to clean their ears from accumulated sulfur. And yet, in many cases, it accumulates in excessive amounts, worsening hearing and well-being. You can remove the sulfur plug in many ways, including painless medication.

• Causes of sulfur plugs in the ears
• Signs of sulfur plugs in the ears
• How to remove a cork from an ear with water?
• Medicines
  • How to remove a plug in the ear with hydrogen peroxide?
  • Drops to remove wax plugs from the ears
  • Candles for removing sulfur plugs from the ears (phyto funnels)
• Ear blowing

Causes of sulfur plugs in the ears

The accumulation of wax in the ears is a completely normal and natural process that cannot and should not be prevented. Moreover, the reasons for the formation of sulfur plugs can be divided into two categories:

1. Causes due to increased secretion of sulfur:

• Cleaners who abuse cleansing procedures often have the opposite effect. Cleaning sulfur too actively with cotton swabs, a person irritates the skin of the ear, which begins to release even more sulfur. If, however, an increase in the secretion of sulfur is answered with an even more active work of the stick, then you can simply push the lump of sulfur deeper into the ear canal. If it gets behind the narrowest isthmus of the ear canal, it will continue to accumulate there.
• Some past diseases can lead to an increase in sulfur production - eczema, otitis, all kinds of dermatitis.

1. The anatomical reason is that the external auditory canals of some people are too tortuous and narrow, making it difficult for the ear to naturally clean itself.

Signs of sulfur plugs in the ears

Usually a person thinks about how to remove a cork in the ear at home at the moment when it begins to cause discomfort, completely blocking the ear canal. Sometimes when bathing, water enters the ears and the sulfur located there swells, blocking the passage. This is expressed as follows:

• the person is deaf in that ear;
• noises in the ears;
• there is a feeling of congestion;
• own voice echoes in the ears.

If you notice such symptoms in yourself or your hearing has simply worsened, be sure to consult a doctor - do not start treatment yourself!

How to remove a cork from an ear with water?

It is known that you can remove the cork in the ear at home by washing. This is the most common way, including for children.

The ear canal is washed with a solution of furacilin or even lukewarm tap water (cold can cause an unpleasant feeling, and sometimes loss of consciousness). In the clinic, washing is carried out using a Janet syringe, but its size can scare the child, so at home you can take a regular 20 ml syringe without a needle.

1. Before the wax plug is removed from the child's ear, the child's head should be tilted to one side and the earlobe stretched to allow the flushing solution to circulate more easily through the passage. Only for crumbs you need to pull back and down, and for older ones - up and down.
2. The head must be securely fixed so that the child does not twitch, because even plastic can easily damage the skin of the ear.
3. Then, a solution must be injected into the ear canal under pressure so that it flushes out the plug.
4. After 3-4 injections, the auricle should be blotted with a towel and plugged with a cotton swab for a quarter of an hour.

Video about ear rinsing to remove earwax:

Medicines

How to remove a plug in the ear with hydrogen peroxide?

Sometimes the cork in the ear is too dry and dense, not amenable to rinsing. But even in this case, you can remove wax plugs in your ears yourself with the help of 3% hydrogen peroxide or warm vaseline oil.

1. To remove a cork in your ear with peroxide, you need to lie on your side and drip a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear for 15 minutes, during which time the cork will get wet. The process is accompanied by a hiss, a slight burning sensation, hearing may be lost, but all these are normal signs, meaning that the cork has begun to swell. If the sensations turn out to be too painful, then the procedure should be stopped immediately and seen by a specialist.

1. If everything goes well, then after a pause, you should roll over to the other side - the liquefied cork will flow out. Washing can be repeated.

A useful video on how to remove a cork from your ear yourself:

Drops to remove wax plugs from the ears

Hydrogen peroxide can be replaced with modern preparations specially designed to remove sulfur plugs from the ears. In pharmacies, you can find special drops for removing ear wax from the ears, for example, Remo-Vax or A-Cerumen. These remedies are easy to use, have almost no contraindications and can even be used for children.

Such a remedy for removing sulfur plugs in the ears should be dripped into the ear for 2-3 minutes at the dosage indicated on the package. Once inside, the drug does not increase the cork in size, but simply dissolves it. And the sulfur residues are easy to wash with water.

Candles for removing sulfur plugs from the ears (phyto funnels)

This folk method of removing plugs in the ears at home has been known for a long time. Candles for this procedure or phyto-funnel can be made from wax by adding propolis, herbs and essential oils. Thus, they will have an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect, warm the ears and anesthetize the procedure. Candles also improve blood circulation in the ear canal, which relieves tension, makes breathing easier and improves sleep.

Candles for removing sulfur plugs from the ears are made as follows:

1. Take simple pencils or a long brush, you can also cut a thin long cone out of wood. Make the surface smooth (this is a prerequisite for the candle to better move away from the mold).
2. Grease a pencil or cone with oil.
3. Melt the beeswax in a water bath, add propolis and a couple of drops of any essential oil to it.
4. Cut linen or cotton fabric into pieces, soak it with wax and while it is hot, wind it around a pencil or cone. You should get a kind of funnel or tube.
5. When the wax has completely cooled, carefully separate the phyto-candle from the mold.

And you can buy ready-made candles in a pharmacy. Among the most common: phytocandles Reamed, Relax, Lux, Aquamir, Doctor Vera, Diaz, IP Sergeants.

The therapeutic effect of candles is due to the optimal combination between the heat from the candle and the vacuum created inside the auricle when the candle burns (in simple words, a traction force is created, like in an oven). This allows you to soften the sulfur plug, and it will gradually move out of the ear canal.

For this procedure, prepare:

• Ear candles and matches.
• Napkins, cotton swabs.
• Vatu.
• Baby cream.
• Water.

Using ear candles is easy:

1. You need to tilt your head to the side.
2. Lubricate the auricle with baby cream, massaging and warming it up in this way.
3. Cover it with a soft paper towel with a hole in the middle to match the ear canal.
4. Bring the candle closer to the ear canal, light it from the opposite end, let it burn a little (the candle should burn out by 2/3).

1. Then extinguish the candle in water and remove.
2. Wipe the auricle with cotton wool and plug it with a swab for a few minutes.

Does it hurt to remove earwax from the ear? If you use preparations to remove ear wax from the ears, then it is absolutely painless. There is no pain and with proper washing of the ears or the use of candles. But the action of hydrogen peroxide can bring some discomfort, sometimes even a burning sensation.

Video on how to remove a sulfur plug from the ear with a phytocandle:

Ear blowing

When deciding how to remove an airlock from the ear, the most difficult and sometimes dangerous way is to blow out the ears. For this reason, it is better not to do it without first consulting a doctor.

The procedure is carried out through the Eustachian tube of the auditory canal, and there are three different techniques:

• Valsalva experience;
• Toynbee experience;
• blowing through the Politzer.

At home, you can only use the first method, since manipulations with others are quite complicated, so they are resorted to only in medical offices.

The meaning of the Valsalva experience is that a person blows a sulfur plug out of his ears on his own.

1. To do this, a person must take a deep breath, holding his breath, pinch his nose in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bridge of the nose and, tensing, exhale with an effort.
2. The air from the lungs, looking for a way out, will go to the Eustachian tube, through which it will further enter the chamber with the eardrum.
3. With its movement, it will bring out the sulfur plug.

Since there are methods that are much simpler, less painful and with the least risk, the blowing method is now used less and less. And at home, it is generally undesirable to use it.

Have you already encountered such a problem as earwax plugs in your ears? In what ways and methods do you fight them? Tell us about it in the comments - help others with your advice.