Page 65 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: EYE AND EAR PROBLEMS 63

Earwax

Normally, earwax is produced in small amounts that protect the ear canal and disperse naturally. But if too
much wax is produced, it can build up, become hard and dry, and block your ear canal. Using a cotton swab
to clean the ears can cause wax to become impacted and contribute to blockages. A buildup of wax can
cause hearing loss, discomfort, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. You may also notice itching, ringing
(tinnitus), or dizziness. Wax buildup is more common in elderly people and in people who wear hearing aids.

See also Earache, p.64; Tinnitus, p.67.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Arrange to see your doctor to confirm that
there is a buildup of earwax, especially Softening wax in your ear Use a
if you have had previous ear problems. dropper bottle (ask your pharmacist) to apply olive oil
or almond oil to the affected ear. If both ears are
blocked, wait until one ear has cleared before treating
the other, because the blockage may worsen
What you can do yourself temporarily as the wax softens.
You only need to treat earwax if it is causing ● Allow half an hour for the olive or almond oil to
problems. You may be able to clear a buildup warm to room temperature, or speed up the process
completely with the following measures. If you by standing the bottle in warm water.
need to have your ears syringed by a doctor, these ● Lying with the blocked ear upward, use the
steps will also help to soften wax beforehand. dropper to put 3–4 drops of warmed oil into the ear
canal. Wait 10 minutes for them to be absorbed,
● Never use cotton swabs or push anything into then wipe off any excess oil.
your ear to clear wax. Aside from pushing wax ● Repeat the process 3 times a day for 5 days.
farther into the ear canal, you may damage the
ear canal lining, causing irritation and infection,
or even damage the eardrum itself. Warming oils
Warm the olive or almond
● Treat your ears with something that will soften
oil slightly by standing it in
the wax. Try using olive oil or almond oil (see
a bowl of hand-
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right). hot water for
● Alternatively, try eardrops containing a wax solvent 10 minutes.
(see DRUG REMEDIES, right).

Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● Your ear still feels as if it is blocked after
you have tried self-help measures DRUG REMEDIES
● You develop an earache or a discharge of
pus from the ear Earwax drops (see p.182) can be used
to loosen and remove wax. They contain carbamide
peroxide, which can sometimes irritate the ear canal.
Ask your pharmacist for advice.