DIY is all the rage nowadays and everyone likes a quick easy fix. Sink Leaking? Just search YouTube for the ideal plumbing tutorial, buy the recommended tools, and go to work! It might take you a little bit longer than it would take a plumber, but there’s no replacement for the satisfaction you feel, right?

At least, until your sink begins leaking again. That’s because in some cases the skill and experience of a professional can’t be effectively substituted for a quick fix.

It’s not always easy to admit that this is the case. And, to some extent, that’s why individuals will frequently continue to look for “easy” DIY-fixes for intricate problems, which might help explain the popularity of something known as ear candling (or, sometimes, earwax candling). It doesn’t really sound that pleasing, does it? Let’s dive into just what earwax candling is and its dangers.

Ear candling – what is it?

Have you ever had a stuffy-ear kind of feeling? Sometimes, your ear will fill with mucus when you’re ill. In other cases, it may occur because you have too much earwax in your ears (and too much earwax can have a variety of causes). When this happens, you may experience a certain amount of discomfort. You might even experience a temporary loss in your ability to hear. It’s no fun!

Because of this, some individuals think they have discovered what seems to be a natural and novel option: ear candling. The idea is that a special hollow candle is placed in your ear (non-burning end). Somehow, the mix of heat and the hollow design of the candle alters the air pressure within your ear canal, pulling the earwax or mucus out.

It should be immediately mentioned that ear candling is not recommended by healthcare professionals. If you’re looking for proof that ear candling really works and draws out wax, you won’t uncover any. Nearly every single hearing healthcare professional, as a result, will emphatically recommend against using this strategy ever. (Does ear candling help with sinus pressure? Also no.)

Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA saying about ear candling? Essentially, don’t do it!)

The drawbacks of ear candling

Ear candling may feel safe, initially. It’s not like it’s a huge flame. And you’re utilizing “specialized” equipment. And individuals on the internet said it was safe! So how could it be possible for ear candling to be dangerous?

Sadly, there’s no mistaking the fact that ear candling can be absolutely hazardous. What negative affects can ear candling have? Ear candling can affect your health in the following negative and possibly painful ways:

• Your ear can have surplus candle wax drip in there: The candle wax can get into your ears even if you don’t get burned. This Leftover wax can cause serious discomfort and, eventually, affect your hearing.
• The earwax can be pushed even further into your ear: In much the same way that pushing a Q-tip in your ear can pack the earwax into an ever-more-dense obstruction, so too can inserting a specialized candle in your ear. Your earwax problem can be worsened by earwax candling, in other words! Other complications, from hearing loss to ear infections can also be the outcome.
• Your Eardrum might accidentally get pierced: There’s a risk that comes with pushing anything in your ears! You might accidentally puncture your eardrum, causing considerable discomfort and harm to your hearing. Often, this is something that has to be treated by a hearing professional.
• You could seriously burn your face: Look, any time you’re holding candles that close to your face, there’s a strong possibility you’ll get a burn. Everybody has accidents now and then. Serious burns on the face are not the only dangers, you could also catch your hair on fire or trickle hot wax into your eye.
• Your ear can be severely burned: Fire is hot, and so is melting candle wax. If the candle tips or the wax gets where it’s not supposed to, you’re facing some considerable 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 useless, it’s utterly dangerous.

So how should you remove earwax?

Ear wax is normally pretty healthy. It’s helpful for your ears in normal quantities. Issues start when there’s an overabundance of earwax or when it won’t drain effectively. So… if you can’t make use of a burning candle to eliminate earwax, what should you do?

Talk to a hearing specialist if you have a persistent earwax obstruction. They might recommend some at-home alternatives (including using saline or mineral oil to soften the wax, allowing it to kind of run out on its own). But they might also clean out your ear during your visit.

We can clean out the wax safely with specialized tools and training.

In general, you should stay away from techniques like using cotton swabs and earwax candling. Unless your hearing specialist says differently, it’s a good policy to never put anything smaller than your finger in your ear.

How to help your ears feel better

Schedule an appointment with us if you have accumulated earwax that’s causing you some discomfort. We will be capable of helping you clean any stubborn earwax out of your ears and get you back to feeling normal.

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment

References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky