DIY is all the rage nowadays and everyone appreciates a quick easy fix. Got a leaky sink? Just search YouTube for the right plumbing tutorial, go get the recommended tools, and go to work! It may take you a little bit longer than it would take a plumber, but there’s no substitute for the satisfaction you feel, right?
At least, until your sink begins to leak again. That’s because sometimes the skill and experience of a professional can’t be successfully substituted for a quick fix.
Sometimes, that’s hard to admit. Ear candling or earwax candling is a perfect example of a DIY fix that individuals keep going back to. It sounds… sort of gross, right? So, exactly what is ear candling, and how is it probably not the best thing ever? Well, let’s get into that.
What is ear candling?
Everybody has had the feeling of a stuffy ear from time to time. Occasionally, it takes place when you’re ill and your ear fills with mucus. Too much earwax can also trigger this feeling and that can occur for a number of reasons. When this happens, you may experience some discomfort. You may even experience a temporary loss of hearing. It’s no fun!
Some individuals, because of this, believe that ear candling is just the inexpensive and novel solution they need. The idea is to put the non-burning end of a special, hollow candle in your ear. People think that the wax and mucus are drawn out by the combination of heat and pressure changes in your ear.
Healthcare professionals absolutely don’t encourage this technique. If you’re searching for proof that ear candling actually works and pulls out wax, you won’t uncover any. Nearly every single hearing healthcare professional, as a result, will strongly recommend against using this strategy ever. Ear candling also has no effect on sinus pressure.
Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA saying about ear candling? Basically, don’t do it!)
The negative aspects of ear candling
Ear candling might feel safe, initially. It’s not like it’s a huge flame. And you’re utilizing “specialized” equipment. And people on the internet said it was safe! So, how can ear candling be dangerous?
Ear candling can, unfortunately, be really hazardous and there’s no way to get around that! What negative impacts can ear candling have? Ear candling can affect your health in the following negative and possibly painful ways:
- Your Eardrum could accidentally get pierced: Whenever you insert something into your ear, you put yourself at risk! Your hearing will suffer considerable harm and discomfort if you end up puncturing your eardrum. Frequently, this is something that must be addressed by a hearing professional.
- You can leave candle wax behind in your ear: The candle wax can get into your ears even if you don’t get burned. This Leftover wax can cause serious discomfort and, eventually, impact your hearing.
- You could seriously burn your face: Look, any time you’re holding candles that close to your face, there’s a good possibility you’ll burn yourself. Everyone has accidents now and then. Serious burns on the face aren’t the only hazards, you could also catch your hair on fire or drip hot wax into your eye.
- The earwax can be crammed even further into your ear: Inserting an ear candle into your ear can actually push earwax further into the ear canal much like when you use a cotton swab. In other words, ear candling can make your earwax issue worse! Other complications, from hearing loss to ear infections can also be the consequence.
- Your ear can be severely burned: Fire is hot, and so is melting candle wax. If the candle tips or the wax gets where it’s not supposed to, you’re looking at some substantial burning possibilities in your ear (and your ear is a sensitive spot).
So, is ear candling recommended by hearing healthcare professionals? No… not even a little bit! Ultimately, earwax candling isn’t simply useless, it’s utterly dangerous.
A better way to deal with earwax
Ear wax is usually rather healthy. In normal amounts, it’s good for your ears. Issues begin when there’s an overabundance of earwax or when it won’t drain effectively. So what should you do if utilizing a candle is a bad plan?
If you have an earwax blockage, the best thing to do might be speaking with a hearing specialist. Usually, they will recommend that you try some at-home solutions, such as a saline wash, to soften the wax allowing it to run out by itself. But in some instances, they will perform a cleaning for you.
Hearing specialists have specific tools and training that allow them to clear away wax without harming your ear.
It’s best to avoid things like ear candles and cotton swabs. Unless your hearing specialist says differently, it’s a good plan to never put anything smaller than your finger in your ear.
Give your ears some relief
Schedule a consultation with us if you have accumulated earwax that’s causing you some discomfort. We can help you get back to normal by eliminating any stubborn earwax.
References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky