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11 Safe And Effective Home Remedies To Remove Earwax And Treat Earache
Earwax buildup and blockage is a common ear problem. People feel a sense of discomfort in their ears due to earwax blockage that results in pain, itching or partial hear loss. Untreated earwax buildup can cause several complications and may lead to an ear infection or permanent hearing loss.
A buildup of earwax is a natural phenomenon. It helps prevent the entry of germs, dirt, infections and other foreign substances from entering the eardrum (inner part of the ear). When the production of earwax increases, it naturally finds its way towards the outer ear and gets washed away. The problem occurs when people insert objects like cotton swabs or bobby pins to clean the inner portion of their ears, and unknowingly force the wax more towards the eardrum, causing a blockage.
Home remedies are the best way to remove earwax without causing any damage to your eardrum, which is responsible for your hearing ability. Take a look at these simple home remedies to clear earwax and stop inserting any object in the ears the next time.
What Is Earwax Buildup and Blockage? Causes, Symptoms, Complications, Treatments And Prevention
1. Baby Oil (To remove earwax)
Baby oil is a mineral oil that acts as an effective and safe moisturiser for the earwax. It helps soften the wax and removes it in no time. Caution, the softening agents may only loosen the outer layer of the wax and cause it to lodge deeper in the ear canal.
How to use: Pour a few drops of baby oil in the ear by tilting the head. Leave it for 5-7 minutes. Tilt the head opposite and let the oil come out. Repeat the process for 1-2 weeks if pain continues.
2. Garlic oil (For earache)
Untreated earwax blockage can lead to an ear infection. In a study, garlic oil has shown antimicrobial activity against ear infection due to the presence of four diallyl sulfides. [1]
How to use:
Heat 3-4 garlic cloves in 3 tbsp of coconut or olive oil until the prior turns black. Let the mixture cool. Remove the cloves. Pour a few drops of the oil in the ears. Leave for 5 minutes and then drain out.
3. Onion oil (For ear ache)
Quercetin, a flavonoid in onion possess an anti-inflammatory property that helps in reducing the pain and discomfort in the ears. [2] Onion wraps are also used to cure earache.
How to use:
Heat an onion at a high temperature and cool it. Squeeze the onion for the oil. Pour a few drops in the ear and drains after 5-7 minutes.
4. Basil (For ear ache)
The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of basil (tulsi) leaves helps in reducing the ear pain as well as a fight ear infection. [3]
How
to
use:
Take
a
few
basil
leaves
and
mix
them
in
olive/coconut/baby
oil.
Leave
the
mixture
for
a
day.
Pour
2-3
drops
of
the
oil
in
the
ear
and
drain
out
after
5-7
minutes.
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5. Tea tree oil (For ear ache)
A study says that tea tree oil is effective against the micro-organisms which are responsible for swimmers' ear and inflammation of the middle ear. It should be used in minimum amount. [4] It has a antiseptic, antifungal and anti inflammatory properties.
How
to
use:
Tea
tree
oil
is
usually
used
in
other
ways
as
well
like,
a
couple
of
warmed
drops
in
the
ear
per
day
may
ease
earache
but
before
using
it
in
the
ear
it
is
important
to
do
a
skin
test
to
check
for
allergies.
Tea
tree
oil
should
be
diluted
in
olive
oil,
almond
oil
or
another
carrier
oil,
usually
3
to
5
drops
in
1
ounce
of
oil.
6. Olive oil (To remove earwax)
Olive oil helps to dissolve the earwax at a faster rate and helps in its easy removal. It should not be used if a person has ruptured eardrum. [5]
How
to
use:
Pour
2-3
drops
of
the
oil
in
the
ear.
Drain
it
out
after
5-10
minutes.
7. Glycerol (To remove earwax)
Glycerol is an active compound in most of the eardrops. It helps to soften hard or impacted wax in a short interval, causing them to come out and wash away easily.
How
to
use:
Mix
glycerol,
baking
soda
and
water.
Pour
4-5
drops
in
the
ears
and
drain
out
after
5-10
minutes.
You
can
also
use
glycerin
available
in
the
market.
Repeat
the
process
for
1-2
days,
not
more.
8. Mustard oil (For earache)
A study says that mustard oil has a neurogenic property that helps in reducing ear swelling or ear oedema. [6]
How
to
use:
Warm
the
oil
and
allow
it
to
cool
a
bit.
Pour
2-3
drops
in
the
ear
and
leave
for
5-7
minutes.
Then
drain
out
the
oil.
You
can
also
burn
a
few
garlic
cloves
with
mustard
oil
and
use.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar (For earache)
It is an inexpensive, effective and simple way to clean earwax. There is no study to definitely prove that apple cider vinegar cures ear infection, but it does contain acetic acid which is bactericidal.
How
to
use:
Mix
1
tsp
of
apple
cider
vinegar
with
1
tsp
ofwarm
water.
Pour
2-3
drops
in
theaffected
ear.
Leave
it
for
a
few
minutes
and
then
drain
out.
Repeat
the
process
another
day
only
when
the
pain
persists
10. Saltwater (To remove earwax)
A study says that sodium in saltwater is effective in softening earwax in a short time. Saltwater is as effective as other essential oils. [8]
How
to
use:
In
a
half
cup
of
warm
water,
mix
around
1
tsp
of
salt.
Soak
a
cotton
ball
in
the
liquid
and
pour
a
few
drops
in
the
ear.
Leave
it
for
5-7
minutes
and
drain
out.
Repeat
the
process
if
the
stiffness
in
the
ear
persists.
11. Aloe vera gel (For earache)
A study says that the anti-inflammatory property of aloe vera helps in reducing the ear swelling, itching and pain. [9] It also helps in restoring the PH level inside the ears.
How to use:
Pour a few drops of market-based aloe vera gel in ears and leave for 5-7 minutes and then drain out. You can also make aloe vera gel at home by cutting and peeling out its sticky portion and blending them in a grinder with a few drops of essential oil.
Common FAQs
1. Is it safe to put hydrogen peroxide in your ear?
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic commonly available in medical shops or cosmetic shops. It acts as a cerumenolytic and helps in dissolving, softening and breaking down hard or impacted earwax.
2. How does hydrogen peroxide remove ear wax?
The use of market-sold hydrogen peroxide should be as instructed. Also, you can mix an equal proportion of hydrogen peroxide and water and pour a few drops of it with a dropper or cotton balls. Leave for 3-5 minutes and drain out.
Disclaimer
If
you
feel
that
you
have
an
issue
with
earwax
or
any
ear
related
problems,
always
and
always
your
first
priority
should
be
to
consult
a
doctor
to
rule
out
whether
it
is
a
serious
issue
or
not.
Being
overly
aggressive
with
removing
wax
from
your
ear
can
lead
to
problems
with
your
hearing,
itchy,
painful
or
more
prone
to
infection.
While
consulting
doctor
you
can
discuss
the
above
home
remedy
ideas
to
see
if
they
are
suited
for
you
or
not.
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