Impacted wax in ear
One of the most common reasons for patients to see us as an ENT specialist in Singapore is a blocked ear or painful ear due to impacted ear wax. Having wax in our ears is actually quite normal and in most people, the ear is a self-cleaning device so that the wax naturally migrates out of the ear canal. This means that you don’t have to dig your ears to remove ear wax at all! I emphasise that digging your ears is bad for you because many people just don’t realise the potential trouble that digging your ears can lead to. Using cotton buds to try to dig out the ear wax is a terrible idea because this just pushes the wax even deeper into the ear, making it more difficult and painful to remove and leading to a blocked ear. Some patients complain of itchy ears so they cannot resist the urge to dig their ear wax with anything ranging from cotton buds to metal digger tools which unfortunately can be bought quite easily in Singapore.
The belief that you somehow need to dig your ears to remove the ear wax appears to be culturally influenced, as it seems to be much more common in Asian countries. In certain parts of China, ear-digging is a skill where experienced practitioners (not doctors!) clean people’s ears outdoors with fine metal wires which they insert into the ear to carefully whip out the ear wax! Incidentally, barbers also traditionally used to clean their customers’ ears with a hot towel, after the usual haircut and eyebrow trimming. Nowadays, the safest and most effective way to get your ears cleaned is to visit one of the best ENT specialists in Singapore.
So let’s clear up the misconception once and for all that you need to dig your ears: PLEASE DON’T DIG YOUR EARS AT ALL! Throw away all your cotton buds and other miscellaneous ear-digging tools because they are dangerous and may potentially injure the ear canal skin, perforate the eardrum or even dislodge the delicate ear bones which are located behind the eardrum to cause hearing loss.
Despite all the care taken, wax may sometimes still build up inside the ears because the ear canals may be narrow, hairy or tortuous, or the condition of the skin just happens to be rather dry, itchy and flaky, especially if you already suffer from skin problems such as eczema. If you suffer from blocked ear due to impacted ear wax in Singapore, please read more at
https://www.drannabelle.com/ear-hearing-ent-specialist.html#earwax
Dr Annabelle ENT suggests tips on how to keep your ears clean and prevent impacted wax problems in Singapore:
- Don’t dig your ears at all!
- Don’t insert your fingers into your ears: Fingers (and fingernails) carry germs on them and may spread infection from one ear to the other!
- Apply 2-3 drops of clean olive oil into your ears after your shower 2-3 times a week: This moisturises your ear canal skin safely.
- Avoid getting water inside your ears if you are prone to suffering ear infections. Wear swim plugs in your ears.
- Avoid getting your ears syringed with water: Instead, have your ears safely suctioned out under direct vision with a microscope with some special fine ear instruments at a top ENT specialist’s clinic in Singapore.
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FAQs
In most cases, earwax impaction isn't dangerous and symptoms go away with treatment. Earwax blockage treatments include drops to soften the wax or manual removal at your healthcare provider's office.
What type of doctor removes impacted ear wax? ›
“In an ear, nose and throat (ENT)'s office, the physician will examine the ear canal and wax using a microscope. Earwax can then be removed using small instruments or suction. Some providers use irrigation as a method of wax removal.”
Can a doctor always see impacted ear wax? ›
Your provider should easily see the wax when looking at your ear through a device called an otoscope. Your provider might diagnose you with impacted earwax even if you don't have any symptoms.
What can an ENT do for ear wax impaction? ›
Ideally, the ear canals should never have to be cleaned. However, that isn't always the case. The ears should be cleaned when enough earwax gathers to cause symptoms or to prevent a needed assessment of the ear by your doctor. This condition is call cerumen impaction.
What dissolves impacted ear wax fast? ›
Your provider can also flush out the wax using a syringe filled with warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide. Medicated ear drops may also be recommended to help soften the wax, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox Earwax Removal Kit, Murine Ear Wax Removal System).
What happens if impacted ear wax is not removed? ›
What happens if earwax is not removed? It's possible for unremoved earwax to lead to an ear infection like swimmer's ear, causing worsening symptoms such as: severe pain, itchiness, drainage, fever, coughing and dizziness. If you notice signs of infection, you should make an appointment to see your primary care doctor.
What to do if ear wax removal doesn't work? ›
Treatments to remove earwax
If pharmacy treatment doesn't work, speak to your GP practice. Treatments may include: ear irrigation – a quick and painless procedure where an electric pump is used to push water into your ear and wash the earwax out.
Why does my ear still feel blocked after wax removal? ›
There are a few reasons that your ears could still feel blocked after Water Irrigation: Having blocked ears for weeks or months can cause a lot of pressure to build up, which will then relieve once the blockage is removed, but occasionally it can take time for this pressure to disperse.
What is best for earwax blockage removal? ›
Popular options include:
- Carbamide peroxide: Carbamide peroxide drops are available over the counter. ...
- Baking soda solution: A baking soda solution can also help soften wax. ...
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% solution: You can buy this solution at any drugstore. ...
- Mineral or baby oil: These are available over the counter.
Certain situations — like air travel, allergies, and head colds — can cause pressure to build up in the ear. Usually this doesn't last more than a few days. Longer-lasting eustachian tube problems can cause hearing and balance issues, as well as ear infections.
People should not poke anything into the ear to remove earwax, but gently dripping hydrogen peroxide, ear drops, or baby oil into the ear will soften the wax, which may cause it to come out. Earwax, also called cerumen, serves an essential function in the body.
Why don t doctors remove ear wax anymore? ›
There are several reasons this service is often no longer offered in primary care, some of which are based on misunderstandings. First, manual water-filled syringes for flushing out earwax can cause high pressure of water and might damage the patient's ears – not something a GP wants to be responsible for doing.
How do you remove deep impacted ear wax? ›
You can remove earwax at home using 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.
- Tilt your head to the side and drip 5 to 10 drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear.
- Keep your head tilted to the side for 5 minutes to allow the peroxide to penetrate the wax.
- Do this once a day for 3 to 14 days.
The ENT doctor may remove your excess wax using any of the techniques above such as inspecting your ear while using suction or using a curved, small instrument called a curette.
What breaks up impacted ear wax? ›
Soften and loosen the earwax with warm mineral oil. You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear two times a day for up to 5 days.
What to do if you pushed earwax too deep? ›
Use an eyedropper to insert a few drops into your ear canal twice a day for four to five days to soften the wax. Once the wax is soft, it should come out on its own within a few days. Another home care option is irrigation. Fill a rubber ball syringe with warm water, tilt your head, and gently squeeze the syringe.
How do you get rid of a large ear wax blockage? ›
You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear two times a day for up to 5 days. Once the wax is loose and soft, all that is usually needed to remove it from the ear canal is a gentle, warm shower.
Will deep earwax eventually come out? ›
Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it does not, and builds up and blocks your ear, you can try to remove it.
Should I go to the ER for ear wax blockage? ›
Untreated sinus infections can lead to severe complications and should be addressed asap. Unusual symptoms: If your clogged ear is accompanied by strange or alarming symptoms like blood or pus draining from the ear canal, severe pain, or an unusually high fever, seek medical attention immediately.
