Earwax or Cerumen is a sebaceous gland secretion of the external ear. Its main function includes protecting the ear from infections and excess moisture. Excess earwax is removed for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons (impacted ear wax). The most popular way to clean the ears is using q-tips (also known as cotton swabs or earbuds). However, they do more harm than good, pushing the earwax further inside the ear canal. This can result in impaction, pain, infections, and in extreme cases, even hearing loss. Consequently, their use is unanimously discouraged by healthcare workers. To clean the excess earwax buildup, there are many alternatives to Q-tips, which include both DIY and professional cleaning. One of the DIY options is a popular and strong oxidant — Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
Solutions that can be used are —
What is Earwax (Cerumen)?
Cerumen, colloquially earwax, is a concoction of sebaceous-oily substance produced by the external ear, dead skin cells, and hair of the external ear canal. It is hydrophobic; that is, it repels water and is acidic. Owning its properties, it serves many functions: protecting the eardrum from fine dust particles, moisture, microbes, etcetera.When to consider earwax removal?
Earwax is constantly produced and moved out of the ear canal. Old earwax is moved by tiny hair cells (cilia) outwards through the ear canal. Lower jaw motions like chewing facilitate this replacement process. Eventually, when it reaches the outer surface of the ear canal, it sloughs off.Generally, manual or device-assisted earwax removal is not required. The ear canal is self-cleaning, and anything beyond a routine shower is not recommended. However, certain people experience earwax buildup — like people who use heating aids, people with disabilities, people with oddly shaped ear canals, people who produce excessive cerumen, etc. If earwax buildup is a bothersome problem, then an ear cleanup may be considered. There are plenty of ways to remove earwax buildup, both at home and professionally. They generally involve removing the cerumen and thereby result in clean ears. One of the DIY ways includes using 3% hydrogen peroxide diluted with water in a 50-50 solution.Also, Read Are Ear Infections Contagious?How does the peroxide solution work?
Hydrogen peroxide is a potent oxidizing agent. It acts as a cerumenolytic agent, i.e., it results in the breakdown of the earwax. This breakdown results in softening and dissolution of the earwax.How to clean the ears with hydrogen peroxide?
Solutions that can be used are —- OTC peroxide ear drops
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution diluted with distilled or boiled (and cooled) water.
- OTC peroxide ear drops
- Soft washcloth
Tips to clean the ears with OTC peroxide -
The following is the set of instructions to clean the ears with hydrogen peroxide:- Find a comfortable position — tilt your head on one side or lie down with one ear up
- Instill no more than 5 drops in the ear.
- Stay still for 5 minutes. It might feel warm, tingly, bubbly, or fuzzy.
- Get up and sit straight. Excess solution and the broken wax will flow out. Blot the excess liquid with the washcloth.
- Repeat the process on the other ear.
- Dry both ears
Tips to clean the ear with hydrogen peroxide -
Method: Cleaning the ears using a diluted solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide Things needed:- 3% Hydrogen peroxide solution
- Distilled water or boiled (and cooled) water
- Medicine dropper or a syringe
- Soft washcloth
Instructions to make the ear-cleaning solution:
To make an ear-cleaning solution from 3% hydrogen peroxide:- Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of distilled water or boiled (and cooled) water.
- For a single-use solution, dilute 5mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with 5mL of distilled or boiled(and cooled) water in a non-reactive glass or plastic container.
- Use a medicine dropper or a syringe to instill the said solution.
Instructions to clean the ears:
- Lie down or tilt your head comfortably with one ear up.
- Instill no more than 5 drops from the medicine dropper in the ear that is up.
- Stay still for 5 minutes. Feeling warm, tingly, bubbly, or fuzzy is normal and expected.
- Get up and sit straight. Excess liquid with softened ear wax will flow out of the ear. Blot the excess with the washcloth.
- Repeat the process on the other ear.
- Dry both ears
Is hydrogen peroxide safe for ear wax removal?
The safety profile of hydrogen peroxide — Risks and contraindications- Hydrogen peroxide is a benign solution that usually doesn't cause many side effects. However since it is a potent oxidizing agent, its cautious use is advised.
- It can lead to rashes, chemical burns, blistering, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, a lingering bitter taste in the mouth, discharge from the ears, and chronic ear infections.
- Contraindications to peroxide use are a perforated eardrum, ear infections, and sensitivity to peroxide.
Conclusion -
Earwax buildup is a troublesome condition that some have to deal with. Q-tips and other self-use suction devices do more harm than good. They might damage the eardrum permanently, which ultimately leads to hearing loss. Hydrogen peroxide has been a time-tested alternative to expensive professional cleanup. It is available as OTC ear drops and as a 3% solution. The latter is diluted to make a 50-50 solution with water. Its ease of usage, wide availability, and safety profile make it an ideal choice for at-home earwax removal.Book an appointment with the Best ENT specialist in India.Frequently Asked Questions
Is instilling hydrogen peroxide solution in the ear safe?
Hydrogen peroxide is an important component of various OTC ear drops. It is safe as long the concentration does not exceed 3%, and not more than 10-drops of the solution or ear drops are used.
What concentration of hydrogen peroxide should be used? Can the cleaning peroxide solution sold in the market be used?
The concentration should not exceed 3%, i.e., it has 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water. Generally, the solution available in the market is of the same concentration. However, it is always safer to check the concentration before instilling.
Is bubbling after instilling the hydrogen peroxide solution sign of a medical emergency?
The bubbling after instilling is a sign of the solution oxidizing the earwax. Severe pain, burning, swelling, fever, dizziness, vertigo, and bitter taste are signs of seeking professional help.
Contraindications to instilling hydrogen peroxide in the ear?
Hearing loss, ear infections, perforated ear drum, tinnitus, and skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, blistering, and burns, are some of the contraindications to self-administering the solution.
How often can the peroxide solution be used?
The solution is used on an as-needed basis after the earwax buildup becomes bothersome. OTC peroxide ear drops are used as per the manufacturer’s instructions — 5-10 drops twice daily for up to a week. It can be used for prevention once a week to keep the ear canal free of excess wax. Peroxide overuse has been linked to skin irritation, chemical burns, and chronic ear pain, so caution is advised.
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