Hydrogen Peroxide For Earwax 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 earwax to some amount is a part of the body's metabolic processes which benefits in ear canal protection, cleaning, and lubrication. It also possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, thus reducing the chances of infections inside the ear. Absence of earwax due to abnormalities may cause dry and itchy ears.

Reason for Earwax 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 cerumen 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 impacted earwax. In order to avoid such ear problems, it should be removed regularly. And besides ear cleaning with normal ear buds, another effective earwax removal method is using dilute hydrogen peroxide in the ears.

Hydrogen Peroxide Earwax Removal

For safety purposes, it is to be borne in mind that hydrogen peroxide earwax removal should be conducted 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 earwax removal is not recommended 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 cerumen. Let's discuss in brief about the method and safety tips for hydrogen peroxide earwax removal.

In order to remove earwax by using hydrogen peroxide, you require diluted hydrogen peroxide (strictly 3 percent concentration), 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 removing cerumen. 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 substances in the ear, warm hydrogen peroxide is preferable for earwax removal over the cold one.

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, diluted 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 cerumen, multiple applications are claimed to be more effective than a single treatment. For such a condition, 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 earwax removal is draining the applied oil and hydrogen peroxide solution from the ear. For doing so, fill warm water in the bulb aspirator and tilt 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 earwax from the ear. Use a cotton swab to dry the outer side of the ear.

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