DIY is all the rage these days and everyone appreciates a quick easy fix. Got a leaky sink? Just search YouTube for the ideal plumbing tutorial, go get the recommended tools, and get to work! It may take you a little bit longer than it would take a plumber, but there’s no replacement for the gratification you feel, right?
But that feeling only continues until your sink starts to leak again. That’s because sometimes the skill and experience of a professional can’t be effectively substituted for a quick fix.
Sometimes, that’s difficult to admit. And, to some extent, that’s why people will often continue to seek out “easy” DIY-fixes for intricate problems, which may help explain the popularity of something called ear candling (or, in some cases, earwax candling). It sounds… sort of gross, doesn’t it? So, just what is ear candling, and how is it maybe not the best thing ever? Well, let’s get into that.
Ear candling – what is it?
Have you ever had a plugged-ear sort of feeling? Occasionally, it occurs when you’re ill and your ear fills with mucus. In other cases, it may occur because you have too much earwax in your ears (and surplus earwax can have any number of causes). This can sometimes be really uncomfortable. Your hearing may even temporarily go. It’s no fun!
Some individuals, because of this, believe that ear candling is just the cheap and novel solution they need. The concept is to put the non-burning end of a special, hollow candle inside of your ear. Individuals imagine that the wax and mucus are drawn out by the blend of heat and pressure changes in your ear.
It should be immediately noted that ear candling isn’t encouraged by healthcare professionals. If you’re searching for proof that ear candling really works and draws out wax, you won’t find any. In other words, the vast majority of hearing and healthcare professionals will emphatically recommend against ever using this technique. Ear candling also has no effect on sinus pressure.
The FDA also strongly advocates against this approach.
What are the downsides of ear candling?
Ear candling might feel safe, initially. It’s just a tiny flame. And you’re utilizing “specialized” equipment. And people on the internet said it was safe! So how could it be possible for ear candling to be harmful?
Ear candling can, unfortunately, be quite dangerous and there’s no way to get around that! What negative affects can ear candling have? Ear candling can affect your health in the following negative and possibly painful ways:
- You can leave candle wax behind in your ear: Even if you don’t get burned, surplus ear candle wax can go into your ears. Your hearing can become impacted from this, not to mention the uncomfortableness.
- Your face could be seriously burned: Look, any time you’re positioning candles that close to your face, there’s a strong possibility you’ll burn yourself. Everyone has accidents now and then. Serious burns on the face are not the only hazards, you could also catch your hair on fire or drip hot wax into your eye.
- Your Eardrum could accidentally get pierced: There’s a danger that comes with inserting anything in your ears! Your hearing will suffer considerable harm and discomfort if you end up puncturing your eardrum. If this happens it’s very likely that you will need to get professional assistance.
- The earwax can be crammed even further into your ear: In much the same way that pushing a Q-tip in your ear can smoosh the earwax into an ever-more-dense obstruction, so too can sticking a specialized candle in your ear. In other words, ear candling can make your earwax issue worse! This can trigger all sorts of other complications from hearing loss to serious infections.
- You can severely burn your ear: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are quite hot. If the tip of the candle or the wax goes into where it’s not supposed to, you’re looking at some substantial burning possibilities in your ear (and your ear is a sensitive spot).
So, do hearing healthcare professionals endorse ear candling? Not at all! Ultimately, earwax candling isn’t only ineffective, it’s downright dangerous.
A better way to deal with earwax
Ear wax is generally rather healthy. It’s good for your ears in normal quantities. Issues start when there’s an overabundance of earwax or when it won’t properly drain. So what should you do if making use of a candle is a bad strategy?
If you have an earwax blockage, the most beneficial thing to do may be consulting with a hearing specialist. Normally, they will suggest that you try some at-home solutions, such as a saline wash, to loosen the wax allowing it to run out on its own. But in some instances, they will perform a cleaning for you.
Hearing specialists have special tools and training that allow them to clear away wax without harming your ear.
It’s best to avoid things like ear candles and cotton swabs. Unless your hearing specialist says differently, it’s a good plan to never put anything smaller than your finger in your ear.
Give your ears some relief
If accumulated earwax is causing you a bit of discomfort or misery, you should make an appointment with us. We will be able to help you clear any stubborn earwax out of your ears and get you back to feeling normal.
References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky