DIY is all the rage these days and everyone likes a quick easy fix. Got a leaky sink? You can learn about how to fix that from a YouTube video. A plumber would probably be a bit more efficient but then you wouldn’t get that sense of self-satisfaction that comes with doing it by yourself.
At least, until your sink begins leaking again. That’s because sometimes the skill and experience of a professional can’t be effectively substituted for a quick fix.
It isn’t always easy to acknowledge that this is the situation. Ear candling or earwax candling is a perfect example of a DIY fix that people keep going back to. It doesn’t really sound very pleasing, does it? So, just what is ear candling, and how is it maybe not the best thing ever? Well, let’s get into that.
Ear candling – what is it?
Have you ever had a plugged-ear kind of feeling? Occasionally, it occurs when you’re ill and your ear fills with mucus. Too much earwax can also cause this feeling and that can occur for a variety of reasons. When this occurs, you might experience some discomfort. You may even experience a temporary loss of hearing. It sort of stinks!
As a result, some people imagine they have discovered what seems to be a natural and novel solution: ear candling. The idea is that a special hollow candle is put into your ear (non-burning end). People imagine that the wax and mucus are pulled out by the combination of heat and pressure changes inside your ear.
Healthcare professionals absolutely don’t encourage this approach. If you’re searching for evidence that ear candling actually works and pulls out wax, you won’t uncover any. In other words, the vast majority of hearing and healthcare professionals will emphatically recommend against ever using this technique. (Does ear candling help with sinus pressure? Also no.)
Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA advising about ear candling? In essence, don’t do it!)
What are the drawbacks of ear candling?
Ear candling might feel safe, initially. It’s not as if it’s a huge flame. And you’re utilizing “specialized” equipment. And individuals on the internet said it was safe! So how could it be possible for ear candling to be dangerous?
Ear candling can, regrettably, be very dangerous and there’s no way of getting around that! What negative impacts can ear candling have? Ear candling can impact your health in the following negative and possibly painful ways:
- You can leave candle wax behind in your ear: Even if you don’t get burned, surplus ear candle wax can get left behind in your ears. Your hearing can become impacted from this, not to mention the uncomfortableness.
- The earwax can be crammed even further into your ear: Inserting an ear candle inside your ear can actually force earwax further into the ear canal much like when you utilize a cotton swab. Your earwax issue can be worsened by earwax candling, in other words! Other complications, from hearing loss to ear infections can also be the result.
- You can cause severe burns to your ear: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are extremely hot. Your ear is extremely sensitive and substantial burning can take place if the flame or the hot wax gets someplace it shouldn’t.
- Your face could be seriously burned: There’s always a pretty good possibility that if you’re holding a flame up by your ear, you could burn your face. Everyone has accidents now and then. It’s all too easy for candle wax to trickle into your eyes or for your hair to catch on fire or for your face to get severely burned.
- You might accidentally puncture your eardrum: Whenever you insert something into your ear, you put yourself at risk! Your hearing will suffer significant harm and discomfort if you end up puncturing your eardrum. If this takes place it’s very likely that you will have to get professional assistance.
So, is ear candling recommended by hearing healthcare professionals? No… not even a little bit! Not only is ear candling not practical, it’s actually very dangerous!
So how should you remove earwax?
Ear wax is normally pretty healthy. It’s good for your ears in normal quantities. Problems begin when there’s too much earwax or when it won’t properly drain. So what should you do if utilizing a candle is a bad idea?
Talk to a hearing specialist if you have a stubborn earwax blockage. They may suggest some at-home solutions (including using saline or mineral oil to loosen the wax, allowing it to sort of slide out on its own). But they may also clean out your ear while you’re in the office.
We can get rid of the wax safely with specialty tools and training.
It’s best to steer clear of things like ear candles and cotton swabs. Unless your hearing specialist says differently, it’s a good strategy to never put anything smaller than your finger in your ear.
Give your ears some relief
Schedule a consultation with us if you have excess earwax that’s causing you some distress. We can help you get back to normal by clearing away any stubborn earwax.
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References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky