Everyone loves a quick fix, particularly when the fix is also a DIY fix. Sink Leaking? Just search YouTube for the right plumbing tutorial, go get the recommended tools, and get to work! A plumber would most likely be a little more efficient but then you wouldn’t get that feeling of self-satisfaction that comes with doing it by yourself.
At least, until your sink begins to leak again. That’s because in some cases the skill and experience of a professional can’t be successfully substituted for a quick fix.
It’s not always easy to admit that this is the situation. Ear candling or earwax candling is a perfect example of a DIY fix that people keep coming back to. It sounds… sort of gross, doesn’t it? So, just what is ear candling, and how is it probably not the best thing ever? Well, let’s get into that.
What is ear candling?
Have you ever had a plugged-ear sort of feeling? Sometimes, it takes place when you’re sick and your ear fills with mucus. In other situations, it might happen because you have a surplus of earwax in your ears (and surplus earwax can have a variety of causes). This can sometimes be really uncomfortable. Your hearing may even temporarily go. It’s not fun!
Because of this, some individuals imagine they have discovered what seems to be a natural and novel option: ear candling. The idea is that a special hollow candle is put in your ear (non-burning end). Individuals believe that the wax and mucus are drawn out by the mix 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 really works and pulls out wax, you won’t uncover any. Nearly every single hearing healthcare professional, as a result, will strongly recommend against using this technique ever. (Does ear candling help with sinus pressure? Also no.)
Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA advising about ear candling? In essence, don’t do it!)
The negative aspects of ear candling
Initially, ear candling might feel completely safe. It’s a really small flame. And the “equipment” is specialized. And people on the internet claimed it was safe! So how could it be possible for ear candling to be harmful?
Ear candling can, regrettably, be very hazardous and there’s no way to get around that! What negative impacts can ear candling have? Here are just a few of the (possibly painful) ways that ear candling can affect your health:
- The earwax can be crammed 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. Your earwax issue can be worsened by earwax candling, in other words! This can cause all sorts of other complications from hearing loss to serious infections.
- Your ear can be seriously burned: Fire is hot, and so is melting candle wax. Your ear is extremely sensitive and significant burning can happen if the flame or the hot wax gets somewhere it shouldn’t.
- You can leave candle wax behind in your ear: Even if you don’t get burned, residual ear candle wax can go into your ears. This leftover wax can cause acute discomfort and, eventually, impact your hearing.
- Your face could be severely burned: Look, whenever you’re holding candles that close to your face, there’s a good possibility you’ll burn yourself. Accidents will happen! Severe burns on the face aren’t the only dangers, you could also catch your hair on fire or trickle hot wax into your eye.
- Your Eardrum may accidentally get pierced: Whenever you insert something into your ear, you put yourself in danger! You may accidentally puncture your eardrum, creating considerable discomfort and harm to your hearing. Often, this is something that needs to be treated by a hearing professional.
So, do hearing healthcare professionals recommend ear candling? Not at all! Not only is ear candling not practical, it’s actually really dangerous!
So how should you remove earwax?
Earwax is actually a good thing. It’s helpful for your ears in normal quantities. It’s only when there’s an excessive amount of earwax (or it isn’t draining correctly) that you start to have issues. So what should you do if utilizing a candle is a bad idea?
Seek advice from a hearing specialist if you have a stubborn earwax blockage. They may suggest some at-home solutions (like using saline or mineral oil to loosen the wax, allowing it to kind of run out on its own). But in some circumstances, they will perform a cleaning for you.
Hearing specialists have special tools and training that allow them to clear away wax without injuring your ear.
Generally, you should stay away from techniques such as utilizing cotton swabs and earwax candling. Nothing smaller than your finger should go into your ears unless advised by your hearing specialist or physician.
How to help your ears feel better
If surplus earwax is causing you a little discomfort or distress, you should schedule an appointment with us. We can help you get back to normal by removing any stubborn earwax.
References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky