How can you dissolve wax plugs in your ears? How to clean earwax from your ears yourself at home? Ear plugs in children
Dear readers! Many of you probably know that under certain circumstances we can develop wax plugs in our ears. It is noted that they are observed in 2-6% of people. Let's figure out why earwax is needed and, in general, whether it is necessary for a person, the reasons for the appearance of wax plugs in the ears. And if this happens, how to remove wax plugs at home yourself.
The formation of wax in the ear canals is a normal physiological process. Sulfur is a substance produced by sulfur or ceruminous glands located in the cartilaginous portion of the external auditory canal. It consists of a mixture of secretions from the sulfur and sebaceous glands, and desquamated epithelium. Thanks to earwax, the normal functioning of the hearing organ is ensured, it moisturizes and cleanses, protects from the negative effects of the external environment (dust, germs, harmful substances).
Normally, wax is spontaneously removed from the ear canal when chewing, coughing or talking due to the movement of the temporomandibular joint. However, due to certain circumstances, cleansing the external auditory canal from sulfur becomes difficult and a cerumen plug forms. These reasons may be the following factors.
- Peculiarities anatomical structure: The external auditory canal is narrow or curved.
- Increased level cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is part of sulfur, and its increased level contributes to the rapid formation of sulfur plugs. Elevated cholesterol levels often occur in older people.
- The presence of a large amount of hair growing in the ear canal.
- Work associated with dust (cement, flour, etc.) or associated with sudden changes in temperature, humidity or low atmospheric pressure;
- Diseases in which the self-cleansing process is disrupted (eczema, otitis media, dermatitis, etc.).
Very common cause is prolonged use of a telephone headset, headphones or hearing aid. In these cases, the natural discharge of wax from the external auditory canal is difficult.
Signs and symptoms
Small sulfur plug You may not notice it for a very long time; no symptoms are noted. In this case, a piece of wax is attached to the wall of the ear canal. As soon as the wax plug completely blocks the lumen of the ear canal, you will feel that your hearing has become worse. This usually occurs when water comes in contact with you while swimming or taking a bath. When water gets in, it swells and clogs the ear canal. And you will immediately feel a feeling of congestion, ringing, noise, or buzzing in your ears. Less common may be painful sensations.
When wax presses on the eardrum, headache, dizziness, nausea, and cough may occur. Rarely, cardiac dysfunction may occur. Of course, if these symptoms appear, you should definitely consult a doctor.
If the wax plug in the ear is not removed in time, prolonged contact with the eardrum can lead to inflammation of the middle ear.
Removal at home
The solution to the problem is to soften and remove the wax plug. It is better, of course, to do this in a medical facility using a Janet syringe. In principle, this procedure is not complicated, and if you are sure that you really have a wax plug in your ear, you can remove it at home. The only condition is that everything must be clean or sterile, otherwise you can get an infection.
Before proceeding with the manipulation, it is necessary to soften the sulfur. You can do this in several ways by dropping the following solutions into your ear:
- Water-based products: natural sea water, glycerin or 3% hydrogen peroxide. You can use a solution of table salt (1 tsp per 100 ml of water), a solution baking soda(1 tsp per 100 ml of water). When they are instilled, the earwax softens, but if the plugs are hard, you will have to resort to their mechanical removal.
- Oil-based products. Instillation of warm olive, almond, mink oil or a mixture of them. The oil also helps soften earwax.
- A-cerumen - the surfactants it contains - surfactants - adhere to the surface of the sulfur plug and contribute to its complete dissolution and removal.
How to remove wax plug yourself
There are traditional ways to remove sulfur. These methods are harmless and have been tested in practice by many people. But it is better to use such methods when they are still small. In this way, they are softened and removed from the ear canal.
Please note: You cannot begin the procedure on your own if you have a damaged eardrum, if you had otitis media or another inflammatory ear disease before the plug formed, and if you do not have diabetes mellitus. In these cases, removal of the plug is possible only in a medical facility.
1st method
Prepare the mixture:
- 2 tbsp. 3% hydrogen peroxide,
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil,
- 1 tbsp. glycerin.
Carry out the procedure at night. Place a few drops in sore ear lying on your side with your affected ear up. To allow the mixture to reach the wax, pull the pinna up and back. Cover the ear canal with cotton wool. Repeat several times until the plug comes out.
2nd method
Prepare 3% hydrogen peroxide (it is better to buy ready-made at the pharmacy). If it is in a bottle, then put it into a syringe. In the pharmacy, hydrogen peroxide is now packaged in special bottles with a spout. It is better to carry out the procedure in the morning.
Insert a syringe into your ear without needle or the bottle spout, do not insert too deeply. Squeeze 20 ml of hydrogen peroxide from the syringe or bottle. The jet under pressure will reach the sulfur plug, and the reaction will begin. The hydrogen peroxide will fizz and flow out of the ear, along with pieces of dissolved wax. Wait 10-15 minutes until all the solution has flowed out; to do this, tilt your head to the side where the peroxide was dripped into your ear.
After this, wipe the ear with a cotton swab to remove any remaining moisture. Carry out this procedure 1-2 times a day for a week.
3rd method
If after these manipulations the earwax does not come away, try to wash it out with a shower.
Unscrew the diffuser from the shower hose. Make the water warm and at medium pressure. Gently point the hose towards the affected ear. The procedure is similar to washing out a cork using a Janet syringe. Wait until the plug is washed out.
4th method
Removing wax using wax candles. Some doctors consider this method absurd, but it also has positive results. There are special candles, they are made of wax, but hollow inside.
When using this method, you need to lie on your side, with the affected ear facing up. A candle is inserted into the ear and its end is set on fire. Due to combustion, negative pressure is created inside the candle and the ear plug is pulled out. This procedure can be carried out until a positive result.
The Tentorium company has special ear candles “Abies-candles”, which help not only with cerumen, but also with otitis.
Prevention
As you know, it is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it later. To prevent wax plugs from appearing in your ears and worrying about how to remove them, pay attention to the following tips:
- Carry out ear hygiene regularly. This can be done regularly while taking a shower or in a bath, cleaning the ear with your little finger.
- Do not put objects no thicker than your finger into your ear. This means you cannot use cotton swabs to clean the inner surface of the ear canal.
- Avoid getting water in your ear and sudden temperature changes.
- Monitor your blood cholesterol levels.
Dear readers, today you learned how you can remove wax plugs yourself at home. If you managed to get rid of them in this way, then contact an otolaryngologist, he will carry out this procedure quickly and painlessly. Be healthy!
Typically, earwax, along with impurities deposited on its surface, is expelled naturally. However, for some, the wax glands in the ear canals may be overactive. Then the sulfur gradually accumulates, blocking the ear canal.
Very often, wax plugs occur due to the use of cotton swabs to clean the ear. Indeed, a product designed to remove excess earwax promotes the formation of wax plugs! The fact is that regular cleaning of the ear canals with cotton swabs disrupts the natural self-cleaning mechanism and also shifts a certain amount of wax to the eardrum. As a result, a traffic jam occurs.
How to get rid of wax plug
It is best to go to a medical institution and see an ENT doctor. The procedure for getting rid of wax plugs involves rinsing the ear canal with warm liquid using a large special syringe.
If you do not have the time or opportunity to see a doctor, this procedure can be done in. Instead of a syringe, use a rubber container of 200-300 ml. Rinsing should be done over a large container (for example, a basin) or over a sink.
Fill the rubber enema with warm water. Stand over the container, tilt your head with the affected ear down, and with one hand pull the auricle up and back. After this, carefully insert the tip of the enema into the ear canal (loosely, leaving a gap) and run a stream of water into the ear. Repeat this procedure until the wax plug comes out.
If the plug is very hard and cannot be washed out, drop a little warm vegetable oil into your ear and repeat the procedure after a few hours. You can also purchase special ear drops at the pharmacy to dissolve wax plugs or phytosuppositories. But they should be used after consultation with a doctor, as they have contraindications.
Today we’ll talk about how to remove wax plugs in the ear at home. As you know, earwax is produced constantly and performs an important protective function, preventing penetration pathogenic microorganisms into the ear canal. Normally, this substance is removed from the ear naturally during chewing movements or during a conversation due to the movement of the jaw. But often the ear secretion accumulates in excess, thickens and blocks the ear canal, causing a feeling of stuffiness and a decrease in hearing acuity.
In such a situation, you should not try to remove the dense plug yourself using improvised means, since in the best case, the sulfur conglomerate will go even further into the narrow ear canal, in the worst case, you can damage the eardrum. At home, it is recommended to dissolve the ear conglomerate using special means, and then rinse the ear from the wax plug with water.
What is it?
Cerumen plug (lat. cerumen) is a condition in which, due to an increase in the amount and compaction of earwax, obstruction of the external auditory canal occurs.
Causes
Earwax can form in the ears for the following reasons:
- A lot of wax forms in the ears;
- Accumulation of sulfur due to poor release;
- Various skin diseases;
- Inflammatory diseases of the ears;
- Diligently cleaning out wax every day with ear sticks, respectively, there is not enough wax for its intended purpose - protecting the ear canal, and its production increases.
The accumulation of wax in the ear canal can be:
- Due to the narrow passage;
- Foreign object in the ear;
- High dust content in the air;
- Due to the hearing aid;
- Due to wearing small headphones that are inserted inside the ears;
- Due to pushing deep into the wax with ear sticks when cleaning the ear canal.
Symptoms
The wax plug can exist for a long time asymptomatically until it completely blocks the lumen of the external auditory canal. This usually occurs when water gets into the ear, causing the accumulated wax to swell. Clinically, this manifests itself in the form of a decrease in hearing acuity, a feeling of congestion, ringing/humming/noise in the ear, and in some cases, pain in the ear canal.
If the plug puts pressure on the eardrum, reflex symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, cough, sometimes, cardiac dysfunction. In such cases, you should consult a doctor, since prolonged contact of wax plug with the eardrum can lead to the development of inflammation in the middle ear.
What does wax plug in the ear look like: photo
The photo below shows how the disease manifests itself in humans.
Ways to remove wax plug
Since there are two schemes for removing the plug - dry and using a solution, in case of damage to the eardrum, the first method is chosen.
Rinsing involves using warm water and a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. The solution is heated to avoid irritation of the auditory canal, in which the patient may develop not only dizziness, vomiting, but also loss of consciousness.
Wet method of cork removal
This way you can wash out the wax plug. The method is painless, but unpleasant. It consists of the following:
- the patient sits on a couch or chair, turns to the doctor with the sore ear;
- an oilcloth is laid on his shoulder, on which a metal kidney-shaped tray is placed;
- the doctor fills a large syringe (Zhanet) without a needle with a warm sterile solution;
- inserting its tip into the ear, injects a stream of solution along the upper wall of the auditory canal.
In some cases, this procedure does not immediately clear the accumulation of sulfur, which requires repeating it two or three times. Between procedures, the ENT specialist may recommend dropping drops into the ear:
- A-Cerumen: 1 ml in each ear (1 bottle will be used immediately for 1 instillation) twice a day. A-Cerumen is not used in children under 2.5 years of age;
- 3% hydrogen peroxide 2-3 drops 3-4 times a day. The solution should remain in the ear for 2-3 minutes, after which it is drained;
- “homemade” or prescription (ordered in special pharmacies with a prescription department) drops consisting of 1 g of soda mixed with 20 ml of glycerin and 20 ml of boiled water.
Dry method of cork removal
The dry method involves removing pathological contents using a special ear hook used by ENT doctors. The procedure should only be performed by a specialist. At the end of the action, a cotton wool moistened with alcohol is placed in the canal, as well as after washing.
What you can do at home
You can try to get rid of wax at home in cases where:
- body temperature is normal;
- We are talking about an adult;
- the ear is stuffy and doesn’t hurt, but the stuffiness appeared after water procedures;
- When you press the tragus (cartilage of the auricle) that sticks out closer to the face, there is no pain.
For these purposes you can:
- drip the ear with a solution of soda, A-Cerumen, peroxide for 1-2 days, as described above;
- find a ballpoint pen from which you can remove the refill and make a tube;
- get into the bath;
- adjust the water temperature to 37 degrees and apply low pressure;
- unscrew the shower head and attach a homemade tube to its place;
- carefully, tilting your head towards the damaged ear, pour water into it for 3 minutes, holding the shower with one hand and the tube with the other, while the tube should not be tightly attached to the ear canal;
- during this procedure there should be no pain, you can also observe how the plug comes out, you can speed up the process of the conglomerate coming out by prying it with the tip of your little finger;
- even if the plug does not come out immediately, you should not repeat the procedure; it is better to re-drop 3% hydrogen peroxide into your ear;
- if the plug comes out, it is necessary to instill in the ear Okomistin, Dioxidin from an ampoule, Ciprofloxacin or another anesthetic.
You can also buy a solution of furatsilin or make it yourself from tablets (you can use a physiological solution of sodium chloride, first draw it into a syringe No. 14, then heat the bulb in warm water to a temperature of 37 degrees and rinse the ear with a gentle stream). In this case, the second hand should pull the auricle up and back, so that the stroke is smooth, the stream should not be strong.
Traditional methods
IN folk medicine To remove the plug yourself at home, the following methods are widely used:
- Hydrogen peroxide. This method can no longer be considered a folk recipe; it is recommended and used by many ENT doctors in the treatment of sulfur plugs. Before rinsing the ear, 3% peroxide should be dripped into the sore ear. A few drops will be enough; the peroxide should not spill out. The head should be slightly tilted so that the peroxide remains in the ear. After a couple of seconds, foam will appear, so the peroxide dissolves the plug and disinfects the ear. After this procedure, rinsing is easier and faster.
- Almond oil. Natural oil will help not only moisturize the ear mucosa, but also soften and dissolve the plug. The oil needs to be slightly warmed and while warm, drop about 5-7 drops into the ear, and then insert a cotton swab. The procedure can be repeated several times. If it does not help, after 2-3 days you can carry out the washing procedure. Once exposed to oil, the plug will come out faster.
- Wax funnel. The principle of operation of a funnel is the same as that of ear candles. A funnel-shaped piece of fabric soaked in wax is inserted into the sore ear and set on fire. Store-bought candles have a protective stop; in the case of funnels, you need to make sure that the wax does not drip. The sulfur plug softens and stretches due to heat and exposure to wax. The procedure can be repeated several times.
- Soda solution. The soda solution is not used for instillation, but for rinsing the ear. A weak solution of soda must be drawn into a syringe (without a needle) or a rubber bulb. The ear is washed in such a way that the water pressure is not directed at the eardrum, but flows down the wall of the ear canal. The procedure is repeated several times until the plug is completely dissolved and removed.
Prevention
Prevention of plugs involves proper cleaning of the auricle.
Frequent ear cleaning often causes ear plugs to form. The procedure should be carried out no more than once every 10–15 days. Wax should be removed only from the outside; sticks should not be inserted deeply.
For prevention, you can use the Karna Dhauti method of yoga once a week. Cool water is suitable for the procedure - it will stimulate nerve receptors, relieve fatigue, and add vigor.
- Tilt your head, your ear should look down.
- Wet your little finger in water and rotate it several times in the ear canal.
- Do the exercise with your index finger.
When swimming in the pool, you must protect your ears from getting cold water using a cap or cotton swabs.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature - cold air leads to an increase in ear secretion.
- Before going to the sea, you need to thoroughly rinse your ears, especially when increased secretion sulfur.
- When constantly using a hearing aid, headset, or headphones, it is necessary to periodically instill drops that dissolve the accumulation of sulfur.
- Humidity in the room should be between 45-60%. If the air is too dry, hard formations can form in the ears.
Excessive accumulation of sulfur causes many unpleasant sensations. By observing hygiene standards and rules, it is easy to avoid this disease. Ears should be cleaned correctly and promptly.
Forecast
With proper and timely treatment, the prognosis for wax plugs is mostly favorable. Sometimes the problem of wax plugs can even resolve on its own. With such a problem, the patient may feel only some discomfort, although sometimes some complications arise. Their main cause is the inflammatory process. If it is not eliminated in time, various serious infectious diseases, otitis of varying severity.
We can say that complications with wax plugs are rarely recorded, since removing wax plugs does not seem to be a big problem, especially since now there are a large number of modern methods and drugs that allow treatment to be carried out quickly and painlessly.
Ear wax is a fairly common phenomenon, the main reason for which is improper hygienic procedures for cleaning the ears. Many people clean the ear canal with cotton swabs, not realizing that they can lead to the formation of a plug. Cotton swabs push the wax deep into the ear, compacting it and forming a plug. There are other causes of this state that everyone needs to know about. In this article we will look at how to diagnose the presence of a traffic jam and what methods should be used to eliminate it.
What is the function of earwax?
The inner part of the ear is located in close proximity to the brain. To prevent microbes from entering the brain from the external environment through the ear canal, the body has provided protection in the form of sulfur. Each ear canal contains about 2 thousand sulfur glands. The viscous secretion they produce sticks to itself microorganisms, dust and even accidentally flying insects.
Sulfur helps disinfect foreign particles and subsequently remove them outside.
Over the course of a month, the sulfur glands produce about 15-20 mg of sulfur, which is removed from the ear on its own, during jaw movement, that is, when a person chews or talks. We just need to wash our ears from time to time, removing any remaining water with a thin cotton cloth.
Causes of traffic jams
Genetic predisposition
- If the secretion of the sulfur glands has a more viscous consistency, then the ear canal will clog quickly.
- An ear canal that is too narrow or too tortuous also contributes to the accumulation of wax.
- With increased secretion, wax accumulates in the ears and then becomes compressed, forming a plug. Excessive sulfur production can also lead to air locks.
Constant exposure to high humidity conditions
When swelling occurs, sulfur cannot be excreted normally by the body. People who come into frequent contact with moisture for long periods of time (for example, swimmers or divers) should be aware of the risk of conglomerate formation. In addition, if a too moist environment forms between the plug and the eardrum, this can lead to accelerated proliferation of microbes that enter with the water. If sulfur does not have time to cope with their disinfection, an inflammatory process may develop.
Changes in atmospheric pressure
When atmospheric pressure decreases, the eardrum retracts inward, and when the pressure increases, it bulges outward. Frequent vibration of the eardrum leads to compaction of wax, which causes the formation of an ear plug.
Frequent inflammatory processes in the ears
In the presence of inflammation, a change in the viscosity and pH of sulfur is observed, which also leads to the formation of plugs. More often inflammatory diseases Children suffer from ear problems, and you need to remember that you should not try to remove the plug for a child at home - inflammation may be hidden under the conglomerate.
Old age
With age, hair growth in the ear canal may increase, which prevents the normal removal of wax. Also, in older people, the secretion becomes more viscous.
Dust
Prolonged exposure to dusty conditions leads to large amounts of dust getting into the ears. Dust, mixing with viscous sulfur, forms a dense plug.
With increased contamination of the ear canal, the body begins to produce even more sulfur, which accelerates the process of conglomerate formation.
Skin diseases
With eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis affecting the ear cartilage or the ear canal area, it is difficult to remove wax.
Frequent use of the phone or headphones
Keeping headphones in your ears or a phone pressed tightly for a long time increases humidity in the ear canal. Also, the formation of a conglomerate can be caused by constant vibration of the eardrum from sound waves that form the devices.
How to understand that there is a plug in the ear
If the ear canal is slightly blocked by wax, a person may not be aware of its presence. However, if the gap between the eardrum and the ear canal is closed by more than 70%, the following symptoms may appear:
- Feeling of fullness in the ears.
- Development of autophony - with this condition, a person hears his own voice in the ear.
- Partial hearing loss.
If a plug in the ear presses on the eardrum, the following symptoms may occur:
- Presence of tinnitus.
- Reflex cough.
- Periodic dizziness.
- Painful sensations in the ear.
With strong and prolonged pressure from the sulfur plug, the patient may experience attacks of neuralgia, for example, a violation of the innervation of the heart muscle. To confirm or refute the diagnosis of the presence of wax plugs in an adult, you should consult an otolaryngologist. If suspicious symptoms occur in a child, contact an ENT doctor. Diagnosis is based on visual inspection(otoscopy) and the patient’s medical history.
Treatment
Treatment for wax plug involves removing it. To do this, the doctor can use a wet or dry method.
Removing conglomerate using a wet method
The wet method involves washing the sulfur plug. This procedure is painless, although not very pleasant. It is carried out as follows:
- The patient is seated on a chair or couch and the shoulder is covered with oilcloth.
- Then a special metal tray is placed on the shoulder on top of the oilcloth.
- Next, the doctor draws a warm sterile solution into the Janet syringe for washing the ears, inserts the tip of the syringe into the ear and injects a stream of solution into the ear canal.
For complete liberation ear from accumulated wax may require several such procedures, between which it is necessary to drip the following drugs into the ear:
- 2-3 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide. The product must be kept in the ear for 2-3 minutes, then drained.
- 1 ml of A-Cerumen.
- A solution of glycerin, water and soda.
Dry ear cleaning
If it is impossible to rinse the plug with a syringe because it is too hard, the doctor can remove the conglomerate dryly using a special ear hook. This method can only be performed by an experienced ENT doctor.
How to remove a plug in your ear at home
You can get rid of wax plugs yourself at home, without the help of specialists. However, in order not to cause harm to health, it is important to carry out the cleaning procedure correctly.
Cleaning can be carried out independently only under the following conditions:
- No pain in the ear, no feeling of stuffiness that appeared after taking the water procedure.
- No pain when pressing on the ear cartilage (tragus).
- Normal body temperature.
Also, you should not perform the procedure on a child; to remove the plug, it is better for small patients to consult an ENT doctor.
First, you should soften the conglomerate well, and only then start washing. To dissolve, hydrogen peroxide is used, which must be instilled for 2 days 3-4 times a day. When peroxide gets into the ear, it begins to hiss and causes a slight burning sensation; temporary hearing impairment is also possible. These signs indicate that the conglomerate has begun to swell. Instead of peroxide, it is allowed to use the drug A-Cerumen, which can be bought at the pharmacy.
To remove the plug, you must:
- Remove the refill from the ballpoint pen and unscrew the cap.
- Open the tap with hot water and adjust the temperature so that it reaches 37 ͦC. The pressure should not be too strong.
- Then unscrew the shower head and attach a tube made from a handle to the hose.
- Next, you need to lean over the bath and turn your head with your ear down.
- Now gently pour warm water into your ear for three minutes. There is no need to press the end of the tube tightly against the entrance to the ear canal.
- There should be no pain during the procedure.
- If the plug begins to move along the ear canal, you can try to remove it with the tip of your little finger soaked in water, or knock it out by patting the ear cartilage with your finger.
Instead of ordinary warm water, you can use any sterile solutions, for example, furatsilina or saline solution, which is sold in pharmacies. The rod from the pen can be replaced with a large syringe with the needle removed, a syringe or a special Zhanne syringe.
If it was not possible to remove the conglomerate, drip peroxide into the ear and repeat the procedure after a while. If the plug was washed out, then the ear should be instilled with Ciprofloxacin, Okomistin or Dioxidin. After removal of the conglomerate, hearing restoration occurs immediately.
The procedure must be carried out at home very carefully so as not to damage the eardrum or cause an infection. If there is a perforation (hole) in the eardrum, then all manipulations should be carried out by an experienced specialist.
If otitis is present, you should first cure the disease, and only then proceed with the procedure.
Sometimes A-Cerumen or Remo-Vax drops specially designed for this help to clear the ear of the plug. In some cases, their use allows you to get rid of conglomerate without resorting to washing. The price of the drugs is low, so you can try cleaning at home by simply instilling drops according to the instructions.
Application of candles
At the pharmacy you can purchase special suppositories (for example, ear phytofunnels) designed to combat wax plugs. You can prepare such candles yourself from propolis, wax, medicinal herbs And essential oils.
Candles help not only break through sulfur plugs, but also relieve inflammation and eliminate painful sensations, normalize blood circulation in the ear canal, which, in turn, will improve breathing and normalize sleep.
Prevention
To prevent the formation of traffic jams in the future, you must adhere to several preventive rules:
- Proper ear hygiene.
- Refusal from frequent use of cotton swabs, which can not only compress wax, but also injure the eardrum.
- Do not allow cold water to enter the ear canals. When swimming or diving in a pool or open water, it is recommended to wear a special rubber cap.
- If there is increased release of sulfur, before each trip to the sea, it is recommended to rinse your ears to remove the plugs yourself or seek help from a specialist. This will prevent the sulfur from swelling and forming a conglomerate.
- It should be remembered that cold air and sudden temperature changes contribute to increased sulfur production. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid over-cooling the room with air conditioning during extreme heat.
- It is important to ensure that the humidity level in the room is 45-60%.
- If you work in a dusty environment, it is recommended to always use headphones or earplugs. Earwax is especially likely to form when dust gets into the ears.
- If you have a genetic predisposition to the formation of traffic jams, you should regularly visit an ENT doctor and listen to his recommendations regarding proper hygiene ears.
- As a preventive measure, you can rinse your ears with warm water once a month, directing the stream into the ear.
If you decide to clean ear plug in a child, the procedure should be carried out as carefully as possible. The fact is that small children cannot calmly for a long time sit still. One sudden movement can lead to injury to the eardrum. This is why it is best to clean ears at home only for adults.
Complications of otitis, in turn, are divided into complications of otitis externa, otitis media and otitis internal.
Complications of otitis media
| Group affiliation complications | Complication | Description |
| Otitis externa | Chronic otitis externa | Ear wax is often associated with acute otitis externa. With frequent acute otitis, over time, small depressions appear in the wall of the external auditory canal, formed due to the expansion of the mouths of the sebaceous and ceruminous glands. In these recesses they start pathogenic microbes, which at the slightest decrease in the body’s defenses multiply and cause relapse ( re-exacerbation) inflammation. |
| Each inflammation leaves behind scars, which normally resolve on their own over a period of time, without leading to deformation of the organ or the corresponding area of the body. In the case of chronic external otitis, the frequency of inflammation is so high that newly formed scars overlap the previous ones, causing a narrowing of the external auditory canal. This in turn triggers vicious circle, in which the narrowing of the passage leads to an increase in the formation of sulfur plugs, and, accordingly, relapses of inflammation. | ||
| Otitis media | Tympanosclerosis | The eardrum is a structure that receives and transforms sound waves into mechanical vibrations of the auditory ossicles. Spreading inflammatory process on the eardrum leading to scarring ( tympanosclerosis). Scarring reduces the elasticity of this structure, sharply and negatively affecting the quality of hearing. |
| When pathogenic microbes enter the area of inflammation, they begin to actively multiply, simultaneously destroying the surrounding tissue. Leukocytes ( cells immune system ) absorb and destroy microbes, forming pus. If purulent otitis occurs and spreads to the eardrum, a hole soon forms in the latter through which pus penetrates into the eardrum. | ||
| Chronic otitis with the formation of an external fistula | After pus penetrates into the tympanic cavity, pressure builds up in it, which causes the patient very severe pain. The pus, as before, continues to corrode the surrounding tissue, but more intensely in the so-called weak spots ( periosteal space, interfascial space). Sooner or later, the pus reaches the outer skin or one of the cavities of the body and breaks into it. The resulting passage is called a fistula. When the fistula comes out, the inflammatory process stops and enters the chronic phase. When a fistula enters the cranial cavity, the brain and its membranes are involved in the inflammatory process, which is undoubtedly associated with a great danger to life. | |
| Adhesive otitis media | Long-term inflammation of the tympanic cavity leads to the formation of numerous adhesions. These adhesions spread across the auditory ossicles, blocking the conduction of sound impulses. Thus, conductive or conductive hearing loss is formed. | |
| Internal otitis | Adhesive internal otitis | Adhesive internal otitis develops according to the same mechanisms as adhesive otitis media, however, in this case, the structures of the inner ear - the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals - are paralyzed by adhesions. The damage is often severe and irreversible with the development of sensorineural hearing loss and impaired coordination of movements. |
| An advanced inflammatory process affects not only the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals, but also the vestibulocochlear nerve, interrupting the transmission of nerve impulses from the ear to the brain. | ||
| Otogenic
(related to ear pathology) meningitis and meningoencephalitis | Meningitis ( ) and meningoencephalitis ( inflammation of the dura mater and the brain itself) can develop for two reasons. The first of these is the formation of a fistulous tract into the cranial cavity. The second reason is the penetration of microorganisms into the brain through the sheath of the vestibulocochlear nerve. |
Prevention of the formation of wax plugs
Sulfur plugs are a rather unpleasant phenomenon. Therefore, in order to avoid all the inconveniences and suffering associated with their occurrence, it is necessary to make every effort to avoid them. Given that these efforts are not that onerous, their application should not cause any difficulties. To prevent the formation of sulfur plugs, you must:
- clean your ears properly;
- Avoid getting moisture in your ears;
- avoid staying in dusty environments;
- try to use headphones and telephone headsets less often;
- Avoid otitis media, and if they occur, treat them as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Proper ear cleaning involves using exclusively soft cotton swabs. The use of sharp and rough objects such as matches, keys, hairpins, pastes and ballpoint pen caps is unacceptable. The sharp edges of these objects extremely easily injure the delicate skin of the external auditory canal, leading to its inflammation and the reflex formation of more wax. Swelling of the external auditory canal presses it in, forming a plug.
In addition, it should be noted that proper ear cleaning involves removing wax only around the entrance to the external auditory canal. A deeper insertion of the cotton swab leads to the pushing of sulfur deeper into the canal, also provoking the formation of a plug.
Finally, the frequency of ear cleaning should not exceed twice a week. More frequent brushing leads to irritation of the ceruminous glands in the external auditory canal and the formation of more earwax.
Avoiding getting moisture in your ears
Any household moisture ( taking a shower, swimming in open water, etc.), entering the external auditory canal, is obviously contaminated with microbes. Microbes, when in contact with living tissue, cause harm to it, to which the body responds with an inflammatory response. The inflammatory reaction leads to the formation of sulfur plugs according to the above mechanism.
Avoiding exposure to dusty environments
Sulfur, as people imagine it, consists mostly of dust particles. In this regard, it is easy to guess that dust appears in the earwax from the external environment, and the secretion of the ceruminous glands in the wall of the external auditory canal is designed to capture it and remove it from the ear naturally.
There is a certain dependence of the intensity of work of the ceruminous glands on the degree of contamination environment. According to this dependence, an increase in environmental pollution reflexively leads to an increase in the secretion of these glands. In other words, the more dust in the environment, the more wax is formed in the ears.
Reducing the frequency of using headphones and mobile headsets
The fact that the use of headphones leads to hearing loss is well known and has been repeatedly confirmed both laboratory and clinically. However, not many people know that headphones also lead to excess wax formation and the formation of plugs. Firstly, they form a closed space in the external auditory canal, which leads to a local increase in humidity and, as a consequence, an increase in the likelihood of otitis externa. Secondly, the headphones themselves, especially the vacuum type, penetrate quite deeply into the external auditory canal, mechanically irritating its walls and also leading to otitis media. With otitis, the rate of sulfur formation accelerates, and the sulfur itself becomes denser due to increasing edema.
Avoiding otitis media and their timely treatment
Since otitis media is a factor that directly leads to the formation of sulfur plugs, it is strongly recommended to treat this disease as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to prevent it from becoming chronic. Chronic external otitis is characterized by narrowing of the external auditory canal, leading to difficulty in self-evacuation of sulfur masses.
Is it possible to use hydrogen peroxide, boric acid, as well as sunflower and other types of oils to remove wax plugs?
Hydrogen peroxide, boric acid, vegetable and other types of oils can be used to remove sulfur plugs, but with some assumptions, which will be outlined below. In order to fight this disease, people invented various medicines, some of which helped, some did not help, and others were harmful. Thus, experience in the treatment of sulfur plugs gradually accumulated, some of which has survived to this day. In this regard, you should not take traditional methods of treatment lightly, especially considering the fact that they laid the basis for most modern pharmacological drugs.
Most natural remedies have been researched and the mechanism of their therapeutic action has been studied. Based on the information received, new synthetic drugs were created, the effectiveness of which is several times higher folk remedies, A side effects, respectively, below. However, these products cannot be purchased in all pharmacies, and their cost may be quite high for the average patient. The ancient methods of treating wax plugs are still relevant today, since these medicines can be made independently or purchased at a low price.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an affordable medicine sold in any pharmacy. This drug It helps quite effectively with sulfur plugs, due to some features of its action. It has a local antiseptic effect, that is, it destroys microbes upon contact with them. In addition, hydrogen peroxide releases a large amount of foam upon contact with living tissue. Upon contact with sulfur plugs, foam is also released, since it largely consists of biochemical compounds. The foam not only softens the plug, but also mechanically separates it into small lumps, which are gradually released from the ear on their own.
It is important to add that the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide solution should be approximately equal to body temperature, that is, 36 - 38 degrees. At lower temperatures, reflex bradycardia may develop ( decreased heart rate) and headache due to irritation of the eardrum. More high temperature solution is dangerous because it can cause a burn of the delicate epithelium covering the eardrum.
Hydrogen peroxide should be instilled into the ears 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops. The duration of use should not exceed 5 days. If after this period the plug does not come out, then you should seek help from a specialist, that is, an ENT doctor.
However, due to the same mechanism of action, hydrogen peroxide cannot be used in cases where there are objective direct or indirect signs of a violation of the integrity of the skin inside the external auditory canal.
Direct signs of damage to the integrity of the external auditory canal are:
- bleeding from the external auditory canal;
- leakage of cerebrospinal fluid ( cerebrospinal fluid ) from the external auditory canal;
- leakage of pus from the external auditory canal.
- bursting and throbbing pain in the ear ( associated otitis(ear infection));
- previous attempts to remove wax plug with objects not intended for this purpose ( matches, hairpins, ballpoint pen paste, keys, etc.).
Boric acid
Boric acid, like hydrogen peroxide, is a local antiseptic. For instillation into the ears for wax plugs, a 3% solution of this substance is used. Upon contact with the cork, it softens. As the cork softens, it swells and in some cases changes shape, which usually results in partial or complete release. Contact boric acid with the walls of the external auditory canal is accompanied by a feeling of warming in the ear, as well as a local antiseptic effect. In other words, this medicine destroys germs in the ear, preventing the occurrence of an inflammatory reaction.
If the skin of the external auditory canal is damaged, the use of boric acid can lead to pain. However, the low concentration of active substance in the solution does not cause the serious organic damage that can occur with hydrogen peroxide. The temperature of the solution should be approximately equal to body temperature, as in the previous case.
Boric acid is instilled into the ears 2 - 3 times a day, 1 - 2 drops. The duration of treatment takes on average 3 - 5 days. Longer treatment rarely causes complications, but its feasibility is questionable. If the plug is not resolved within the above period, then the chosen method is considered ineffective, and you should contact a specialist to remove the plug.
Vegetable and other types of oils
Oily substances can be successfully used to remove wax plugs. Like water-based substances, they impregnate the wax plug, leading to its deformation and partial or complete exit from the external auditory canal. Oiled skin greatly facilitates the natural secretion of sulfur. In addition, there is an opinion that some types of oils have a moderate local anti-inflammatory effect.
Oils for instillation into the ears can be purchased at a pharmacy in a ready-to-use form, or you can prepare them in your own kitchen from oils purchased in a store or market.
Among the oils ready for use are:
- corn oil;
- Vaseline oil;
- almond oil;
- peach oil;
- camphor oil;
- peanut butter, etc.
- sunflower oil;
- olive oil.
The method of using oils is the same as in previous cases - 2 - 3 times a day, for 3 - 5 days. If the plug does not come out, then you need to stop self-medication and consult a doctor.
What is the prognosis for wax impaction?
The prognosis for cerumen impaction in the vast majority of cases is considered positive, but it can lead to a number of complications that actually worsen the prognosis. It is extremely rare that complications are so severe that they lead to disability of the patient. Thus, in general, wax impaction causes only minor inconvenience to patients and then resolves on its own or with the help of special treatment. Due to its nature, wax plugs can remain in a person’s ear for a long time without showing up or bothering them at all. Only when the external auditory canal is completely blocked do some unpleasant sensations occur, such as ear congestion, noise in the ear, hum, throbbing pain, etc. Blockage of the external auditory canal with a plug more often occurs under the influence of environmental factors such as changes in atmospheric pressure and increased humidity. Activities and habits can also increase the occurrence of wax plugs. Thus, working in dusty, noisy conditions, as well as using headphones and mobile headsets leads to a reflexive increase in the amount of sulfur formed, and, accordingly, to an increase in the frequency of traffic jams.
The main cause of complications leading to a worsening prognosis of this condition is the inflammatory process. The inflammatory focus initially forms in the space between the cerumen plug and the eardrum. Since this space is closed, fluid soon accumulates in it, pressing on the eardrum and causing a feeling of ear congestion. Over time, pathogenic microbes multiply in this space, affecting surrounding tissues. The inflammatory reaction in this case aims to limit the spread of microbes into the deeper parts of the ear.
As a rule, external and otitis media ( inflammation of the external auditory canal and structures of the tympanic cavity) causes so much severe pain that the patient tries to see a doctor as soon as possible and begin treatment. Simple removal of wax plug and ear drops antiseptic solutions in most cases it is enough to stop inflammation and forestall the development of serious complications. However, when the inflammation develops too rapidly or its treatment is started late, it spreads to the entire cavity of the middle ear and the structures of the inner ear. Suppuration of the above areas is especially dangerous as it can lead to partial or complete deafness. From the tympanic cavity along the nerve fibers, pus can spread into the skull, causing meningitis ( inflammation of the dura mater of the brain) and meningoencephalitis ( inflammation of the dura mater and tissues of the brain itself). The latter complications are difficult to treat and often lead to the death of the patient.
However, fortunately, such complications are recorded extremely rarely. For the most part, this happens because patients are unable to tolerate pain of the intensity that often accompanies acute otitis media. In addition, modern medications and medical instrumental manipulations make it possible to successfully treat even severe purulent otitis media, without allowing the pathological process to penetrate the brain.
Summarizing the above, it should be noted that wax plugs are not a serious illness and their prognosis is mostly favorable. However, this condition should not be taken lightly, since if treated incorrectly and untimely, it can become complicated, leading to irreversible changes in the ear as an organ of hearing and balance. The most correct and effective treatment can only be provided by a specialist in diseases of the ear, nose and throat, that is, an otorhinolaryngologist ( ENT).
How dangerous is wax plug?
In principle, wax plug is a fairly safe phenomenon, since in most cases it does not require special treatment to resolve, and it is released independently during everyday activities. However, under certain circumstances, sulfur plugs can, both by themselves and through the inflammation they initiate, lead to quite serious threats to health and even life. Wax plugs can be found in the ears of almost every second inhabitant of the globe. 90% of the time they do not manifest themselves in any way, being, so to speak, in a passive state. However, under certain circumstances, wax plugs suddenly increase in size or are displaced in such a way that they block the external auditory canal.
Factors that lead to blockage of the external auditory canal with wax include:
- high atmospheric humidity or direct moisture in the ears;
- sudden changes in atmospheric pressure;
- improper ear hygiene;
- old age;
- high density of hair in the ears;
- work in highly dusty conditions;
- Frequent use of headphones and mobile headsets.
Mechanical complications include all conditions in which the wax plug compresses the eardrum. Due to compression, symptoms such as local pain, distant pain ( pain at a distance from the immediate source), nausea and dizziness. Also due to the fact that the tympanic membrane is abundantly innervated by fibers of the autonomic nervous system, some patients experience changes in heart rate, alternating constipation with diarrhea and other autonomic disorders.
Complications of wax plugs mediated by the inflammatory process, as a rule, have some stages. This staged nature is that the inflammatory process first originates in a small closed space between the plug and the eardrum, and then spreads to the middle and inner ear. Liquid gradually accumulates in the above space. For the microbes in it, ideal conditions are created to multiply uncontrollably - moisture, heat and nutrients obtained from the sulfur itself and the epithelium of the external auditory canal. As the number of microbes grows, their destructive effect on surrounding tissues also increases. In response to the aggressive actions of microbes, the body responds with an accumulation of leukocytes at the site of infection, which, having absorbed the microbe, digest it and often die after that. The accumulation of dead leukocytes with microbes inside them is macroscopic ( visible to the naked eye) is pus. Thus, the further the inflammation penetrates, the more dangerous it is considered.
In connection with the above, according to the severity of the inflammatory process and the degree of its progression, they are distinguished:
- otitis externa ( ear infection);
- otitis media;
- internal otitis
Complications of external otitis are:
- chronic external otitis;
- stenosis of the external auditory canal.
Chronic external otitis develops after frequent acute otitis, which may well occur due to sulfur plugs. Frequent inflammation leads to expansion of the sebaceous and ceruminous orifices ( producing sulfur) glands of the external auditory canal, as a result of which microbes penetrate deep into them. Microbes can remain inside the glands for a long time, maintaining low-grade inflammation. With a decrease in the body's defenses, inflammation from sluggish becomes active, causing another episode of otitis media.
Stenosis of the external auditory canal
A rare complication that usually develops after repeated acute purulent external otitis, accompanied by the formation of numerous adhesions ( cords of connective tissue). Over time, the adhesions tighten, leading to deformation and narrowing of the lumen of the external auditory canal.
Complications of otitis media are:
- tympanosclerosis;
- perforation of the eardrum;
- formation of a fistula tract;
- adhesive otitis media;
- conductive hearing loss.
Tympanosclerosis is an adhesive deformation of the eardrum. This complication develops after the spread of purulent otitis to the eardrum. The damaged tissue of the eardrum is replaced by connective tissue, in which the content of elastic fibers is less than in the original epithelium. Thus, the eardrum becomes less sensitive to sound vibrations, which results in decreased hearing on the affected side.
Perforation of the eardrum
Perforation of the eardrum occurs simultaneously when purulent masses corrode its thickness and penetrate into the tympanic cavity under pressure.
Formation of the fistula tract
The tympanic cavity normally communicates with oral cavity through Eustachian tube. With inflammation, the lumen of these tubes narrows. This mechanism is a physiological obstacle to the spread of inflammation from one cavity to another. Thus, pus accumulating in the tympanic cavity gradually increases the pressure inside it. This cannot continue indefinitely, and sooner or later the pus begins to look for a way out through weak spots. The outcome is considered relatively favorable when a fistula tract is formed that extends outward. At the same time, pain and temperature decrease sharply, and a chronic focus of infection remains in the tympanic cavity for a long time. If the outcome is unfavorable, the pus penetrates into the structures of the inner ear or brain.
Adhesive otitis media
Consequences purulent inflammation There are numerous adhesions inside the eardrum. They form chaotically, often compressing the auditory ossicles and leading to their immobility.
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive ( conductor) hearing loss is pathological condition, in which hearing loss occurs due to a violation of the conversion of sound vibrations into mechanical movements of the auditory ossicles and the further conduction of these movements to the window of the vestibule ( inner ear structure). The main causes of conductive hearing loss are tympanosclerosis and adhesive otitis media.
Complications of internal otitis are:
- adhesive internal otitis;
- sensorineural hearing loss;
- neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve;
- otogenic meningitis and meningoencephalitis.
Adhesive internal otitis
Adhesive internal otitis, like adhesive otitis media, develops as a result of suppuration of the corresponding cavity. With otitis media, inflammation develops in the tympanic cavity, and with internal otitis - in the vestibule of the cochlea, the cochlea itself, or in the semicircular arches. After inflammation subsides, connective tissue constrictions form outside the above organs or in their cavities, deforming these organs. The more pronounced the adhesive process, the lower the ability of the organ of Corti to perceive sounds.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by hearing loss due to disruptions in the integrity of the nerves that transmit sensory impulses from the ear to the brain, pathological processes in the area of auditory analyzers in the brain and in case of damage to the sensory part of the auditory analyzer ( Organ of Corti), located in the cochlea. The main causes of sensorineural hearing loss are neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve, cerebral stroke, multiple sclerosis and adhesive otitis interna.
Neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve
This pathological condition is characterized by the transition of the inflammatory process to the perineural ( surrounding nerve) space of the vestibulocochlear nerve.
Otogenic meningitis and meningoencephalitis
This complication is perhaps the most dangerous of all of the above, since it can lead to the death of the patient even with proper treatment. If meningitis or meningoencephalitis can be cured, then these pathologies always leave behind serious morphological disorders, leading to mental retardation and mental disorders.
Summarizing the above, we can come to the conclusion that, in principle, cerumen plug is a fairly simple pathological condition that is easily treatable. Complications, especially more severe ones, are more of a casuistry than a rule. However, you shouldn’t take this pathology lightly, so as not to become one of those unfortunate exceptions.
How effective are phytocandles in removing wax plugs?
Phytocandles are one of five varieties medicines, officially approved for the treatment of wax impaction. Compared to instrumental removal of the plug by an ENT doctor, whose effectiveness is close to 100%, destruction and removal of the plug after using phytosuppositories occurs on average in 30 - 40% of cases. Phytocandles are hollow tubes from 20 to 30 cm long. A layer of various essential oils and wax is applied to their inner surface. The most common oils include sea buckthorn, clove, eucalyptus, olive, cocoa butter, vaseline oil with the addition of chamomile, celandine and other herbs. The tube frame consists of a slow-burning substance. One side of the tube is equipped with a narrow tip and foil for placement in the ear. Also, all phytocandles have a mark upon reaching which the flame must be extinguished.
These medications can only be used with the help of a second person who controls the combustion process. To install the candle, the patient is asked to lie on his side with a small pillow under his head. A napkin or cardboard, often included with candles, is placed on the ear on top. A hole is made in the center of the napkin or cardboard with a diameter equal to the diameter of the candle. Then the candle itself is placed in this hole, the narrowed edge of which is inserted into the external auditory canal. You should insert the candle into your ear very carefully, without pressing on it. After this, the candle is lit from the free end and burns slowly. Upon reaching the limit mark, the candle is first removed and then extinguished ( exactly in this order, to avoid ash falling on the cheek or temple). With sulfur plugs, such manipulations are done no more than once every 3 days. If after two or three attempts you cannot remove the plug, you should seek further help from an ENT doctor.
The mechanism of action of phytocandles is associated with the creation of negative pressure in the tube due to the combustion of one of its ends. Thus, the resulting draft unobtrusively sucks out sulfur, which is ultimately deposited on the walls of the candle. In addition, when a candle burns, thick smoke is formed, which settles into the external auditory canal. The smoke contains combustion products of essential oils, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and reduce the severity of the manifestations of sulfur plugs.
In order to evaluate how effective phytocandles are, it is necessary to compare their advantages and disadvantages.
Comparative characteristics of phytocandles
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Possibility of use at home. | Danger of burns to the external auditory canal and eardrum, especially when administered to children. |
| Non-contact removal of wax plug. | Cannot be used for purulent discharge from the ear. |
| Does not require special training or knowledge to use. | Inability to use for tumor processes in the head area. |
| Affordable price. | May cause allergies in people sensitive to bee products. |
| Concomitant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. | Pushing the end of the candle deeply can cause mechanical damage to the external auditory canal and eardrum. |
Thus, the final decision about whether to resort to the use of phytosuppositories is made by the patient himself, ideally after consulting a doctor.
Can my ear hurt after wax removal?
After removal of the wax plug, pain may persist because in most cases it is caused by inflammation, and not by the plug itself. After removing the plug, the inflammatory process may persist for several more days, even with appropriate treatment. Patients may also complain that as long as the plug was in the ear, they did not feel pain, but a few hours after its removal, the pain began to increase. This scenario is typical for a situation where inflammation in the space between the plug and the eardrum has just arisen immediately before the plug is removed. In this case, the cause of the developing external otitis ( inflammation of the outer ear) is eliminated, and otitis media progresses on its own.
As stated above, pain is a consequence of the inflammatory process. The connection between sulfur plugs and the inflammatory process is as follows. Long time a plug forms in the ear without causing any sensation. In other words, such a plug is conditionally in a passive state. However, under the influence of factors such as moisture, changes in atmospheric pressure, high dust levels in the environment, the cerumen plug sharply increases in size and completely seals the external auditory canal.
Thus, behind the weed plug, a small closed space is often formed, with a volume of a quarter and half a milliliter. Over time, liquid accumulates in this space. For microbes located in it, the main conditions for reproduction are formed - warmth, high humidity and a nutrient medium, which is the secretion of the sebaceous and ceruminous glands, as well as the epithelium itself. Thus, in a short time, the population of microbes increases to a level at which they are able to damage surrounding tissues and cause an inflammatory process. The unfolding of the inflammatory process involves a wide variety of immune cells, which cause swelling, redness and a local pain reaction.
The pain is usually sharp and throbbing in nature. The intensity of pain varies, from mild to severe, painful. With a high intensity of pain, symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc. are often layered. The appearance of discharge from the ear, such as blood or pus, is an unfavorable prognostic sign that requires an immediate return visit to the doctor. Typically, such complications require the prescription of antibiotics. wide range locally and systemically.
The key to pain relief is reducing inflammation. For this purpose, ear drops with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic effects are used. Often the drops also contain antibiotics.
These drugs include:
- otipax;
- anauran;
- otofa;
- dexon;
- tsipromed;
- normax;
- sofradex etc.
Is it painful to rinse out your ear if you have wax buildup?
Ear rinsing, in itself, is in most cases an unpleasant procedure, but pain during it is quite rare. Pain when washing the external auditory canal can occur for the following reasons:
- external or otitis media;
- sealing the syringe tip when rinsing the ear;
- Uncomfortable temperature of the ear rinsing solution.
Otitis externa and otitis media are inflammations of the external auditory canal and the structures of the tympanic cavity, respectively. In this case, swelling and redness of the tissue occurs, and a large amount of biologically active substances is released into the inflammatory focus. active substances, increasing pain sensitivity. The eardrum, normally thin and elastic, thickens and becomes rigid. Any change in its position, even when perceiving sounds, causes acute pain. Thus, contact of the ear rinse solution with the external auditory canal and eardrum causes excessive stimulation of pain receptors.
Sealed application of the syringe tip when rinsing the ear
Quite often, patients are admitted to hospital emergency departments with severe pain in the ear/ears that arose after washing them at home. When examining these patients, it is discovered that the pain is caused by perforation or severe deformation of one or both eardrums. As a rule, such conditions are the result of failure to follow the correct ear rinsing technique.
Numerous articles on wax plugs indicate the correct sequence for rinsing your ears at home. One of the prerequisites is to loosely apply the tip of the syringe to the entrance to the external auditory canal. This part allows the fluid entering the ear to freely exit it, gradually washing away fragments of the wax plug. However, some patients, trying to wash out the wax plug in one procedure, insist that the person assisting them in this manipulation press the syringe tightly to the ear and press the plunger. This creates positive pressure in the ear, sufficient to perforate the eardrum at its weakest point and cause germs to enter the middle ear cavity ( tympanic cavity). There is probably no need to explain that both the very moment the eardrum ruptures and the inflammation that follows causes severe pain.
Uncomfortable temperature of the ear rinse solution
The above-mentioned rules for rinsing the ear at home mention that the temperature of the antiseptic solution used should be comfortable, that is, in the range from 36 to 40 degrees. Colder liquid in contact with the eardrum can cause reflex headaches, as well as changes in heart rate, due to irritation of the autonomic nerve fibers that abundantly innervate it. Hotter liquid can cause a thermal burn, which also causes severe pain and deformation of the eardrum.
How effective are traditional methods for removing sulfur plugs?
Traditional methods of treating wax plugs mostly provide positive action, however, they also have reverse side medals - complications. According to statistics, traditional methods of treatment lead to various kinds of complications 3 to 5 times more often than traditional ones. Traditional methods of treatment are in many ways similar to traditional methods used in medicine today. This similarity is quite logical and is simply explained by the fact that modern medicine takes its roots in the depths of centuries-old folk wisdom. However traditional medicine, unlike the folk one, does not stand still, but moves in step with scientific discoveries. Medicines are becoming more effective, more stable, and purification methods are becoming more advanced. Thanks to calculations by physiologists and the use of highly sensitive and high-precision measuring technology, drug administration regimens become more effective. The process of creating drugs is automated and practically eliminates the subjective factor and associated flaws.
Comparing folk and traditional methods treatment of wax plugs, it should be noted that both are based on instillation of solutions of antiseptics and anesthetics into the ears ( painkillers) and antibiotics, as well as various methods of washing the external auditory canal.
Among the folk ear drops there are:
- almond oil;
- juice of onion baked in peel;
- boiled sunflower oil;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- baking soda solution, etc.
- rinsing the ears with regular syringes;
- rinsing the ears with a shower hose without a nozzle;
- lighting hollow wax candles of your own making, with one end in the ear, etc.
The most common complications of traditional treatment methods are:
- inflammation;
- allergic reactions;
- chemical or thermal burn;
- perforation of the eardrum, etc.
Contrary to expectations, ear drops homemade sometimes cause inflammation on their own. The reason for this may be an excessively high concentration of active substances, individual intolerance to any components of the drops, mechanical damage to the walls of the external auditory canal and eardrum, etc.
Allergic reaction
Some people may be highly allergic to some components of the drug.
The most common allergic reactions are caused by:
- flower pollen;
- spices;
- vinegar;
- chemical additives;
- citrus fruits;
- strawberries;
- coffee;
- black currant;
- mustard;
- brewer's yeast;
- mold, etc.
Chemical or thermal burn
There is a well-known expression: “Only a measure is curative, everything else is poison.” In other words, even the best medicinal substances may have a negative impact on the patient’s health if used in the wrong concentration or according to the wrong schedule. It is precisely this fact that is associated with the lack of medicines prepared at home. It is quite difficult to assess the concentration of a solution, infusion or decoction, especially if the patient is preparing it for the first time. Too high a concentration may cause chemical burn ear tissue, while a low concentration is unlikely to help.
The situation is similar with the temperatures of solutions instilled into the ears. Normally, it should be 36 - 40 degrees. More low temperature may cause unwanted autonomic reflexes, while higher temperatures may cause thermal burns to the external auditory canal and eardrum.
Perforation of the eardrum
Perforation of the eardrum can occur when the tip of the syringe is firmly applied to the entrance to the external auditory canal. When you press the syringe plunger in the external auditory canal, a sharp high blood pressure sufficient to perforate the eardrum.
To summarize the above, it should be noted that folk medicines can be used safely only if a prescription has been received from a doctor, and in this recipe all the nuances of its preparation are present. However, the need for folk recipes for the extraction of sulfur plug is not so great, since today there is a wide variety of preparations for drug treatment of this condition, which are quite accessible to any patient.