Earwax Do's and Don'ts

DO:

• Nothing. Ideally, the ear canal creates and gradually ejects earwax from the ear.
• Wash the outside of the ear (but not the ear canal) with soap and water.
• If you have excessive earwax buildup, it may help to put a drop of olive oil or baby oil in your ear canal once a week.
• Use over-the-counter earwax removal kits only if your ear drum is intact.
• See your doctor if olive oil, baby oil, or removal kits are not successful in removing impacted earwax, or if you experience pain, increasing difficulty hearing, tinnitus or ringing in the ear, a feeling of itchiness, a discharge or odor from the ear, or dizziness.

DON'T:

• Put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear, including cotton swabs, keys, pen caps, bobby pins, paper clips, or toothpicks.
• Employ ear candling to remove earwax buildup. Studies have shown it to be ineffective and potentially dangerous to the ear canal.