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How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean your Ears

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean your Ears

Cleaning the ears can be a daunting task, especially if the individual in question doesn’t like the idea of someone poking something in his/her ear. In these cases, it would be considered wise to opt for an alternate method to remove wax from the ear. And that’s where hydrogen peroxide enters the picture. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean up to moderate levels of wax buildup in the ears. Regular cleaning of the ears with hydrogen peroxide would also prevent the wax from solidifying, thereby preventing ear infections in the long run. Here are some steps to follow when using hydrogen peroxide to clean the ears.

Step 1: Protection of hair is extremely important as hydrogen peroxide has bleaching effects that could permanently lighten the hair. So make it a point to pull back the hair and cover it with a hat or towel. You can also opt to apply some petroleum jelly on the hair so that it cannot absorb the hydrogen peroxide even if you spill it accidentally.

Step 2: Lay down on one side (the opposite side of the ear, which you want to clean. Your head needs to be level, so opt for a flat pillow. This would enable the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate deeper into the ear canal. Keeping your ear parallel with the ceiling would also prevent the drainage from oozing down the side of the ear.

Step 3: Pour a capful of hydrogen peroxide into the ear. You would feel a deep itching sensation as well as hear several popping and fizzing sounds as the hydrogen peroxide goes further down the ear canal. It may be a bit uncomfortable to handle. However, refrain from touching or moving your ears during this period.

Step 4: Let the hydrogen peroxide remain in the ear for about 20 minutes. This would give plenty of time for it to work on the earwax and loosen it. Remain in the same position as you were when pouring the hydrogen peroxide into the ear, giving it time to work well. With time, you would notice the popping, fizzing and itching sensation subsiding.

Step 5: Stand up and tilt your head to the side in order to let the hydrogen peroxide flow out. Keep a bowl or towel underneath the ear to collect the drainage. You will notice chunks of wax coming loose and exiting the ear canal along with the hydrogen peroxide solution. So don’t attempt to press the towel tightly against the ear as this would inhibit the free flow of wax and make it collect inside the ear again.

Step 6: Use a towel to gently wipe the outer ear. Make sure you wipe the back of the ear as well in order to remove any residual wax that may have got collected in the crevice between the skin on the ear and the skin on the head. If you can’t wipe the area with a towel, use a cotton bud to clean it.

Step 7: Repeat the entire procedure mentioned above for the other ear as well. You may experience a little more drainage from the ear you just cleaned. So place a towel on the pillow before lying down on your side. In some cases, it would be considered wise to wait for one ear to drain completely before opting to clean the other ear.

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