Joy Anyim
People tend to take ear hygiene for granted, paying little or no attention to the ear, until there is a problem. Aside from the basic knowledge of not using sharp objects in the ears, there are other ways of caring for the ears.
Yes, the ear is a self-sufficient organ, it is self-cleaning, self-lubricating and has anti-bacterial properties. So, you really do not need to worry about cleaning the ear the way you do.
Failing to clean the ear actually protects us from danger, though basic hygiene – which is primarily to keep dirt, dust and water out of the ears, and removing ear wax that has been pushed to the surface of the ear – is still very important.
Specific factors determine when to clean the ear, especially for ear wax. This is because the ear wax helps to protect external ear canal by preventing excessive drying. When there is a need to clean, the ears can do that themselves.
However, here are a few facts to consider before you think of cleaning your ear.
1. If you have not had a problem with your ear then your ear produces the normal amount of wax. If this is the case, the most you need is to gently wipe around the outside area of your ear.
2. In some cases, our ears may produce more ear wax. This may be due to irritated skin, environmental factors, wearing earbuds or headphones a lot. To know that you are producing too much ear wax, there may be ringing or popping in the ear, a feeling of fullness in the ear, earache or pain without an infection.
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3. You may consistently produce excessive ear wax, which may be linked to genetic factors. If you find yourself constantly cleaning and still having serious plugs, infections and other side effects, you may want to schedule regular cleaning with a hearing healthcare professional.
Generally, for mild buildup, you can use home remedies such as olive oil, hydrogen peroxide, warm water, rubbing alcohol or drops. But these methods must be used sparingly because they can remove too much ear wax and dry out the sensitive skin of the ear canal.
While some persons may clean their ears daily or twice weekly with a cotton bud, experts say the use of cotton bud is not a good practice.
According to Dr Low Wong Kein Christopher of ENT Specialist, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, “You don’t have to dig deep to get rid of the gunk because the ears have a natural self-cleansing mechanism to get rid of the wax. I call them natural conveyor belt system. This transports dead cells from the deeper to the outer parts of the ear canal. Assisted by jaw movements, ear wax formed will be transported towards the outside and falls out of the ear.”
Dr Christopher said while the system is naturally occurring, some persons may have a deficient self-cleaning mechanism. The wax can them accumulate which can cause irritation or blockage and hearing loss. “For such patients who develop symptoms, some form of active intervention may be necessary to help remove the wax,” he said.
He further stated that “Cotton bud is not only ineffective in removing ear wax, it also tends to push the wax deeper into the ear canal and could cause impaction of ear wax, which is the process where air build-up gets stuck in your ear.”
Most importantly, for any ear-related concern, seeing an expert is always the ideal step to take. Traditional practices when a child or adult develops ear pain should not be encouraged. Seeing a medical expert may save the patient from further danger.
