Earwax is actually a helpful and natural part of your body’s defenses. It protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria. It’s not known why some people experience earwax blockage or why earwax blockage often occurs in only one ear.
Earwax blockage occurs when earwax (cerumen) accumulates in your ear or becomes too hard to wash away naturally. In most people, a small amount of earwax regularly makes its way to the opening of the ear, where it’s washed away or falls out as new wax is secreted to replace it. If you secrete an excessive amount of wax or if earwax isn’t cleared effectively, it may build up and block your ear canal.
Additionally, earwax blockages commonly occur when people try to clean their ears on their own by placing cotton swabs or other items in their ears. This often just pushes wax deeper into the ear, rather than removing it. You should remember that people, who use ear plugs or hearing aids, are more prone to ear wax blockage.
Signs of Earwax blockage
- Earache
- Feeling of fullness in the affected ear
- Ear noise (tinnitus)
- Decreased hearing in the affected ear
Home Remedies for Ear Wax Removal
Here are some remedies to safely remove earwax at home.
1. Saline Solution
Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in around ½ cup of warm water until it dissolves completely. Now, soak a cotton ball in the solution and squeeze few drops of it into the ear by slightly tilting your head upwards. Be in this position for some time so that the salty water properly gets inside the ear. Now, tilt your head in the opposite direction in order to drain out the solution from the ear.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix equal parts of water hydrogen peroxide and water. Make sure that the hydrogen peroxide is not above 3%; otherwise, it may be harmful. Pour a few drops of it into the ear by tilting your head sideways. Let it settle down in the ear for some time. Now, tilt your head towards the opposite side and let the extra solution drain out.
3. Baby Oil/Mineral Oil
Soften the ear wax by putting a few drops of baby oil or mineral oil with the help of a dropper. Let the oil settle in for some time by placing a cotton ball at the ear opening. This prevents oil from oozing out before reaching the ear wax. Take out the cotton ball after some time in order to drain out the extra oil from the ear. Oil helps to soften the impacted ear wax while facilitating the removal of ear wax.
4. Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol Solution
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a bowl or mug. Pour few drops into the ear clogged with ear wax.
5. Olive Oil
One of the best ways to remove the ear wax is olive oil as it softens the ear wax, thus making it easier to come out from the ear. Put two-three drops of olive oil into the ear, affected by excessive blockage, during bedtime. Repeat it continuously for 3-4 days.
6. Warm Water
Pour little clean warm water in the affected ear. Leave it for a few seconds. Then, drain it out.
