Peroxide For Ear Wax Removal Works, But This Method Might Be Better
Do you have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet right now? The disinfectant is famous for fizzing up when poured on wounds, and so it fast became a first aid staple. (Though, it actually shouldn't be poured on cuts and scrapes, per Cleveland Clinic.) In addition, peroxide for ear wax removal has also become A Thing.
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is created by glands in the ear canal and it can help prevent infections to the ear, says Elias Michaelides, MD, of Rush University in Chicago, Illinois. “Earwax can also potentially protect the ear from being wet or help it dry quicker if it is wet. However, more research needs to be conducted to learn more about the true purpose of earwax," he says.
Should you remove earwax?
Before we get to the question of if you should use peroxide to remove earwax, let's back up to talk about if you should be removing earwax at all. Dr. Michaelides says that the majority of people do not need to bother removing earwax. “The skin of the ear canal grows outwards," he says—which serves as an ideal avenue for earwax to exit the ear canal. "We simply need to wipe the earwax away when we shower or wash.”
If earwax is a non-issue for you, you do not need to take the time to try to remove it. However, some people notice that earwax builds up and gets caught in the ear. If there is enough of a build-up, earwax can even block the ear canal causing temporary hearing loss. This is because sound cannot make it past the earwax in order to reach the eardrum. If this happens to you, then it is best to remove the earwax.
How do I safely remove earwax?
Okay, so you need to remove some earwax and want to do it safely, but how? Dr. Michaelides recommends stopping by the drug store or local pharmacy and picking up over-the-counter ear wax removal drops.
“These OTC options include hydrogen peroxide, but in a milder form,” he says. These kits also include a small syringe to use to flush out the ear drum. “If the earwax build-up is pretty dense and blocking the ear canal, this process can take up to several days for the peroxide to soften the earwax and eventually flush it out,” notes Dr. Michaelides. Cue: patience.
If you do not feel like running out to the store, you can use hydrogen peroxide to remove earwax if you feel comfortable. “It's safe to use,” says Michaelides. “We use it in our office all of the time, so it is something you can use on occasion.” However, he warns that if used frequently, peroxide may cause irritation to the skin, so it is best to use it once a week on a routine basis or for several days in a row, but only if you have a blockage. (Signs and symptoms of a blockage include an earache, a full/plugged feeling in the ear, noises in the ear, and hearing loss, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.)
Never put any liquids in the ear canal, like peroxide, if you have a hole in the eardrum or have tubes in your ears. If you try an OTC earwax removal kit or peroxide and notice any pain, stop using it, as this may be a sign there is a hole in the eardrum. Call your doctor to schedule an appointment so they can safely assist you.
What if you do not have a major earwax blockage, but still want to clean your ears? Dr. Michaelides recommends letting water run through the ears while you shower. This allows the earwax to soften and eventually come out on its own. “Water in the ear canal is not an issue. Just make sure to gently dry out your ears. You can even use a hairdryer on a low setting," he says.
Can I still use cotton swabs?
Skip it, please. “When using a cotton swab, some earwax is pulled out, but other earwax may be pushed much deeper into the ear canal, which can cause more problems like blocking the eardrum,” says Dr. Michaelides.
In addition, “the ear canal is short and the structures inside are extremely delicate. Most people are very cautious when using cotton swabs, but we still have patients who perforate their eardrum or cause damage to other hearing mechanisms.” It's totally okay to use the cotton swabs to clean the folds of the outer ear, just not necessarily in the ear canal.
“Unless you are having problems like hearing loss or blockages, you do not need to do anything since the ears are self-cleaning. All we have to do is wash the outer parts and over time, the earwax will clean itself out," says Dr. Michaelides.
The bottom line: Hydrogen peroxide is safe to use for earwax removal, but it's usually not necessary.
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