Hygiene plays a very important role in our overall health and well being. Regular cleanups ensure proper functioning of the body parts on other hand it keep infections and subsequent diseases away. Human ears are built in such a way that they naturally hide ear wax. It keeps the ear well lubricated and prevents dirt, bacteria and other elements from entering into ears. However sometimes it becomes important to clean the wax so that the hearing ability of the person does not get hampered. But it should always be remembered that ears are a very important and sensitive part of our body and extreme care must be taken while cleaning them. Follow these simple steps to clean your ear.
Complexity level: Easy
Time required: 5 minutes
Estimated Cost: $2 – $3 for cleanser
Resources required:
1. Hydrogen peroxide/ cleanser as generally refereed
2. Ear Syringe
3. Tissue/ soft towel
Instructions:
Ear Parts: Anatomy wise our ear is divided into three parts, the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The wax build up accumulates either in the outer ear or in the inner ear.
The outer ear: The outer part of ear faces the same situation as our hair and scalp do. The glands around our hair follicle also generate a wax like substance called ‘sebum’. In order to clean this sebum you need to take a clean and damp soapy wash cloth and you just need to gently clean the outer perimeter of your ear. After this you should clean your ear with a clean cloth soaked in plain water to wash soap residue inside the ear.
The outer canal of ear: The outer canal of ear has lots of skin folds and hence it is prone to dirt and sebum build ups. You can easily clean this area while taking a bath. You can clean the folds in a gentle scrubbing motion at the time of your bath. Alternatively, you can use a clean swab to clean the outer canal of the ear. In case of any wound or injury, you should never use cotton swab and must seek your doctor’s advice.
The Inner Ear: The inner ear also secrets wax in order to lubricate itself and keep dust and germs away from internal delicate organs. When this wax build up and hardened, it gives a ‘clogging’ feeling and sometimes we try to clean them by household objects like keys, toothpick, etc. This must be avoided in all circumstances and instead use special cleanser agents designed for the purpose of cleaning ears. The cleanser works by softening the hardened wax and bringing it out in liquid form.
Following are the steps for cleaning the inner ear with a cleanser:
1. Apply cleanser into ear: First of all, you must apply the cleanser directly into your inner ear. Lie in flat position with the affected ear pointed upwards. It will help the cleanser in reaching to the wax. You may feel a bit of bubbling sensation when the cleanser reaches the wax.
2. Stand up and sit: After some time, you can sit erect and can allow excess cleanser to flow out of ear. To avoid the mess, you can keep a small towel under the ear.
3. Clean the ear with water: With the cleanser kit you will also find a separate syringe for applying clean water. Carefully pour water from this syringe into your ear and let it drain out on the towel naturally. Do not use cotton swab after this procedure.
Frequently Asked Question:
Ear cleaning session often leads to ear ache to me. Why so?
Ear ache after a cleaning session is quite common. However, if the problem persists for a long time then it is advisable that you consult a specialist. The ache could be:
• Either the cleanser is still there in your inner ear, causing pain.
• You possibly have cleaned the ear too vigorously, causing pain.
Quick Tips:
1. Cleaning ear after shower helps in cleaning effectively without putting much pressure on ears.
2. The cleanser technique should not be used frequently. Excess use can dry up inner parts causing problems.
3. If you have any history of ear problems never use cleansers at your own, rather consult a doctor.
Things to watch out for:
1. Never use sharp objects to clean your ear.
2. Never use cotton swab for cleaning of your inner ear. It may actually push the wax inside rather than bringing it out.