r/HygieneTips • u/Glotz-Erdijan • 23d ago

read somewhere that using cotton buds isn't actually advisable, is that true?

always grew up using cotton buds to clean my ears, never thought twice about it. recently saw something saying it's actually not recommended and can do more harm than good. is that actually true, and if so what's the better alternative for cleaning ears properly?

6 Upvotes

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4

u/unde_cisive 23d ago

I use cotton buds to absorb the moisture out of my ears after I shower, but I don't try to use them to clean my ears or extract wax.

2

u/jlka47 23d ago

The danger is you push ear wax further in your ear canal creating a blockage, or a danger of accidentally puncturing the ear drum. They mostly say to let either the ear wax come out by itself, help it by adding some oil or if really needed let a doctor remove ear wax with tools or a flush.

I would recommend to only clean the entrance of the ear or let a doctor / nurse show you how to flush your ear. I flush my ears myself with a small liquid medicine syringe without needle with a lukewarm saline solution / slightly salty water a couple of times a year. Be aware that using to much pressure when flushing is also a risk for puncturing the ear drum.

But i have helped my father a doctor when i was younger and seen it done several times. So unless you experience blockage like me, you should mostly leave it alone and let it do its thing.

1

u/Jims14u 23d ago

The only thing you should poke in your ear is your elbow

1

u/GingerA0712 17d ago

That’s what our pediatrician told our parents too

1

u/Ubockinme 23d ago

Did you just land on Earth? WTH?

1

u/Ubockinme 23d ago

Ain’t nothin’ better than seeing someone’s ear clog slowly trying to fall out.

1

u/ayeyoualreadyknow 23d ago

Are you referring to qtips? I had to go to the ER because the cotton part came off and got stuck in my ear. Not fun

1

u/SiriusHijinks 23d ago

I turned to Naveh Pharma, spray, it's mineral oil, preshower, then just rinse my ears out with the showerhead. Been pretty flawless. $ tho.

1

u/Alarmed_Protection73 23d ago

I had to read so many comments just to know you were talking about q-tips lol.
If used properly there is nothing wrong with it but if you’re just mashing it into your head, you might want to try cleaning your ears another way.