Earwax Drops

Too much of wax in the ear can give a person earache or a sensation of fullness in the ear. A person might also feel as if the ear is plugged. Wax blockage can also lead to tinnitus, which is a ringing or booming sensation in the ear, or lead to partial hearing loss. Too much earwax can give a person ear infection and other health problems, however certain amount of earwax is good for us. Earwax protects the ear by blocking any dust, bacteria or other foreign material from entering the ear and damaging it. Earwax also helps prevent any irritation, when water enters the ear canal. The earwax usually makes its way to the opening of the ear, from here it falls out or gets removed by washing. However, in some people, the earwax produced is more. This extra wax can become hard inside the ear canal and can even block the ear. It is advised that cotton buds should be avoided for cleaning the earwax, because a person might accidentally push the earwax deeper in the ear canal. With some OTC earwax drops or some household oils, you can soften the wax in the ear, and let it drain naturally. Here are some of the ingredients which can be used for earwax removal.

Types of Earwax Drops

Mentioned below, are some household items that can be used to get rid of excessive earwax build up, and some OTC drops that can be used to dissolve the earwax.

Olive Oil & Baby Oil: You can also use household items like olive oil, baby oil, mineral oil or glycerin for earwax removal. For using these drops like baby oil or olive oil, put few drops in the ear, and let it sit for few minutes, then lie down with a towel under your ear and let the oil drip out. This method needs to be repeated every week in each ear, to keep the ears free from excess of earwax. Make sure the oil is clean, so that no infection occurs. If you have any ear problems like eardrum perforation, then do not use these method to remove earwax.

Over-the-Counter Products: For cleaning earwax many over-the-counter dissolvers are available, which you can find at any drugstore. You will find earwax drops for kids which are milder and other earwax drops for adults. Ear drops like Auro, E-R-O, Debrox and Murine ear drops, contain carbamide peroxide as their active ingredient, which helps to dissolve earwax plugs. An earwax removal system also comes with a syringe, that is easy to use and helps to put the drops in the ear. Follow the instructions mentioned on the label, to use the product.

Prevention of Earwax

If you keep getting excessive earwax blockage, then by observing some preventive measures you can keep your ears clean, and prevent too much wax from building up in the ears.

• Avoid using cotton swabs, hair pins or car keys to clean the earwax. As these mechanical devices can rupture the eardrum, and push the earwax deeper.
• Keep using these drops on a weekly basis, if you get excessive earwax blockage. With weekly irrigation, you can benefit greatly.
• You can use a cloth or paper tissue wrapped around your finger, to clean the outer ear canal.
• If you work in an environment which is dusty, then wear ear plugs to prevent dust from entering the ears.

You can use OTC earwax removal drops or olive/baby oil, to get rid of earwax. However, with earwax blockage if you have persistent hearing loss, severe ear pain, or drainage from the ear, then seek medical help.