Hydrogen Peroxide For Ear Wax Removal

Earwax, medically referred to as cerumen, is a yellowish, thick, wax-like substance secreted by the outer portion of the ear canal. It consists of a mixture of keratin (skin protein), long chain fatty acids, cholesterol, squalene and alcohols. Production of ear wax to some amount is a part of the body's metabolic processes which helps in ear canal protection, cleaning and lubrication. Ear wax also possesses anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, thus reducing the chances of infections inside the ear. Absence of earwax due to abnormalities may cause dry and itchy ears.

Ear Wax Removal

Even though earwax serves as a natural defense system, it may lead to impairment of the hearing ability in cases like excess secretion or impaction. Secretion of excessive ear wax may be caused due to narrowing of the ear canal, stress, anxiety and aging. Every year, hundreds of people seek medical attention for ear blockage due to accumulated cerumen. In order to avoid such ear problems, ear wax should be removed regularly. In addition to ear wax cleaning with normal ear buds, another effective ear wax removal method is using dilute hydrogen peroxide in ears. Read more on:

• Impacted Ear Wax
• Hydrogen Peroxide

Let's discuss in brief about the method and safe tips for hydrogen peroxide ear wax removal.

Hydrogen Peroxide Ear Wax Removal

For safety purposes, it is to be borne in mind that hydrogen peroxide ear wax removal should be advocated only if a candidate is free from ear problems such as severe ear pain, fluid discharge from the ear, and hearing impairment. Also, usage of hydrogen peroxide for ear wax removal is not advisable for those who have very sensitive skin. For such people, irrigation of the ear with normal saline solution or warm water is advisable for getting rid of ear wax.

In order to remove ear wax by using hydrogen peroxide, you require hydrogen peroxide (3 percent), olive or almond oil, bulb aspirator, cotton balls, eye dropper, towel and 2 - 3 bowls. Once you have kept all these basic supplies near the sink, you can start with the procedure for ear wax removal. Hydrogen peroxide (in a bottle) and olive oil should be kept in a bowl of hot water, so as to make the solutions warm. As the body reacts with applying cold temperature substances in the ear, warm hydrogen peroxide and/or is preferable for ear wax removal.

For adding the heated oil and hydrogen peroxide in the ear, tilt your head so that the ear to be treated is facing towards the ceiling. Using the eye dropper, add 2 - 3 drops of oil in the ear. Wait for a few minutes and then add 2 - 3 drops of warm hydrogen peroxide in the same ear. Remain in the same position until the hydrogen peroxide bubbling ceases. You can place a towel on the shoulder to absorb any spillage of the oil or hydrogen peroxide.

For a single hydrogen peroxide application, you can continue with the next step. In case of impacted ear wax, multiple applications are claimed to be more effective than a single treatment. If such is the case, place a cotton ball in the ear after you have puddled hydrogen peroxide to avoid dripping. After some time, reapply oil and hydrogen peroxide and follow the same for 3 - 4 times in a day. Make sure you place a cotton ball in the ear in between the applications.

The next step in hydrogen peroxide ear wax removal is draining the applied oil and hydrogen peroxide solution from the ear. For doing so, fill warm water in the bulb aspirator and tip your head down so that the ear that you have treated is over the sink. Then position the open end of the bulb aspirator in about 45 degrees to the ear and gently squeeze the bulb to squirt warm water. This will wash and remove the loosened ear wax from the ear. Use a cotton swab to dry the outer side of the ear.

This was in brief about hydrogen peroxide ear wax removal for regular cleaning. In addition to this, another effective ear wax removal home remedy is using paraffin and/or mineral oil. Warm paraffin, when applied to the ear canal softens and loosens ear wax, thus helping in easy removal of the ear wax. Read more on ear wax removal home remedies. However, in case of ear blockage symptoms, it is always better to consult a qualified physician and get it professionally treated.