DIY is all the rage nowadays and everyone likes a quick easy fix. Got a leaky sink? You can learn about how to fix that from a YouTube video. It may take you a little bit longer than it would take a plumber, but there’s no substitute for the gratification you feel, right?
But that feeling only continues until your sink starts to leak again. Because, as it turns out, in some cases a DIY fix is no replacement for the well-honed skills of a professional.
Sometimes, that’s difficult to admit. Ear candling or earwax candling is a perfect example of a DIY fix that individuals keep coming back to. It doesn’t really sound that pleasing, does it? So, exactly what is ear candling, and how is it maybe not the best thing ever? Well, let’s get into that.
Ear candling – what is it?
Everybody has had the feeling of a stuffy ear now and then. On occasion, your ear will fill with mucus when you’re ill. Too much earwax can also cause this feeling and that can happen for a number of reasons. This can sometimes be very uncomfortable. Your hearing might even temporarily go. It sort of stinks!
Some individuals, because of this, think that ear candling is just the inexpensive and novel fix they need. The concept is to put the non-burning end of a special, hollow candle in your ear. People believe that the wax and mucus are pulled out by the combination of heat and pressure changes in your ear.
Healthcare professionals definitely don’t encourage this approach. If you’re searching for evidence that ear candling actually works and draws out wax, you won’t uncover any. Almost every single hearing healthcare professional, as a result, will strongly advocate against using this technique ever. Ear candling also has no effect on sinus pressure.
Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA advising about ear candling? Essentially, don’t do it!)
What are the downsides of ear candling?
Initially, ear candling might feel perfectly safe. It’s not like it’s a huge flame. And you’re utilizing “specialized” equipment. And there are plenty of people online who maintain that it’s perfectly safe. So how could it be possible for ear candling to be harmful?
Unfortunately, there’s no getting around the fact that ear candling can be downright dangerous. What negative impacts can ear candling have? Ear candling can impact your health in the following negative and potentially painful ways:
- Your face could be severely burned: Look, any time you’re holding candles that close to your face, there’s a strong possibility you’ll burn yourself. Everyone has accidents now and then. It’s all too easy for candle wax to trickle into your eyes or for your hair to catch on fire or for your face to become severely burned.
- Your ear can have residual candle wax left behind: The candle wax can get into your ears even if you don’t get burned. Your hearing can become impacted from this, not to mention the uncomfortableness.
- The earwax can be pushed even further into your ear: Inserting an ear candle into your ear can actually force earwax further into the ear canal much like when you utilize a cotton swab. In other words, ear candling can make your earwax problem worse! This can trigger all kinds of other complications from hearing loss to severe infections.
- You can severely burn your ear: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are very hot. If the tip of the candle 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).
- Your Eardrum could accidentally get pierced: Whenever you insert something into your ear, you put yourself at risk! You may accidentally pierce your eardrum, causing significant discomfort and harm to your hearing. Frequently, this is something that must be addressed by a hearing professional.
So, do hearing healthcare professionals advocate ear candling? No… not even a little bit! Ultimately, earwax candling isn’t only useless, it’s utterly dangerous.
A better way to handle earwax
Ear wax is generally pretty healthy. It’s good for your ears in normal quantities. It’s only when there’s too much earwax (or it isn’t draining properly) that you start to have difficulty. So what should you do if making use of a candle is a bad strategy?
Seek advice from a hearing specialist if you have a stubborn earwax obstruction. Usually, they will suggest that you try some at-home solutions, like a saline wash, to soften the wax allowing it to drip out by itself. But they might also clean out your ear while you’re in the office.
We can get rid of the wax safely with specialty tools and training.
Generally, you should stay away from techniques such as using cotton swabs and earwax candling. Unless your hearing specialist says differently, it’s a good strategy 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 surplus earwax that’s causing you some distress. We will be capable of helping you clean any stubborn earwax out of your ears and get you back to feeling normal.
References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky