Ear hygiene should not be underestimated. Certain guidelines should be followed for the proper use of cotton swabs. The ENT specialists at Clinique 1851 in Montreal offer some helpful tips.
IN SHORT
Cotton swabs have been around for over 100 years. It is important to use them properly and not go too far. If used incorrectly, they can cause unwanted consequences such as wax buildup, ear infections, or itching. Effective cleaning is done without going further than the outer ear and the entrance to the ear canal.
Cotton Swabs: How to Use Them
It may seem trivial to attach importance to a simple cotton swab. In reality, if used incorrectly, it can be harmful not only in terms of ear hygiene but can also cause various unpleasant consequences.
In general, cotton swabs have been around since 1923 and can be used to clean ears, provided they are not inserted too far into the ear canal.
More specifically, cotton swabs should only be used to clean the outer ear, i.e., the external part and the entrance to the ear canal, and nothing else.
It is also recommended to use it gently, applying it from the inside out.
Why Is Deep Cleaning Unnecessary?
Invisible earwax, i.e., earwax that is deeper inside the ear, plays a protective role, and attempting to clean it out at all costs may damage the ear canal.
Earwax is a natural secretion from the skin of the ear canal, forming a protective layer. In this case, “earwax prevents direct contact between water and the skin and acts as an antiseptic, preventing the growth of bacteria or mould.”1
Conversely, when earwax becomes visible at the ear opening, a cotton swab can be used to clean the ear.
In short, earwax plays an active role and protects your ear.
1 Shope TR, Chen CP, Liu H, Shaikh N. Randomized Trial of Irrigation and Curetting for Cerumen Removal in Young Children. Front Pediatr 2019;7:216.
What Are the Consequences of Overuse of Cotton Swabs?
Overuse of cotton swabs can cause various problems, including ear pain and increased irritation.
Among the drawbacks of excessive use, it is worth mentioning:
- The earwax blockage: this occurs when earwax has been pushed deeper into the ear canal by the cotton swab. A plug forms and the earwax now occupies the entire ear canal. You experience discomfort and hearing loss.
- The blockage with infection. You tried to remove this plug yourself, but an infection developed. This resulted in an ear infection. Your ear hurts, and you need to see your ENT specialist.
- Removing the wax plug, but… You have successfully removed your wax plug without infection and are delighted to hear better again. Caution! The skin in your ear canal is no longer protected, and you experience increasingly unpleasant itching in your ear. You are not immune to ear infections or the appearance of eczema, which is more difficult to treat.
- The cotton swab has gone astray. As we have seen, cotton swabs should be used with caution. If you go too far, you could even lose a piece of it in your ear; the cotton wool may detach itself from the stick. You will then need to consult an ENT specialist who, with their instruments, will be able to extract whatever is further down in the ear canal.
If other adverse effects can occur, those are the ones that are often reported in ENT clinics.
How Can You Ensure Effective Ear Cleaning?
As we have just seen, cotton swabs can bring us their fair share of surprises, some more unpleasant than others. But does that mean we should ban them?
Certainly not. Cleaning the visible part of the ear is part of good hygiene.
Should you do it every day? There are no definitive rules in the literature, but daily use of cotton swabs is not absolutely necessary. Some recommend three times a week, others up to four times a week.
If you produce a lot of earwax and it is visible, more frequent ear cleaning would be appropriate. Beyond cotton swabs, there are other solutions. Talk to your ENT specialist.
Do You Have Any Questions?
The professionals at Clinique ORL 1851 in Montreal answer all your questions and make sure to cover the entire topic with you. Contact our professionals now for an examination or to ask for advice. A professional team is waiting for you.
