DIY is all the rage these days and everybody appreciates a quick easy fix. Sink Leaking? You can learn about how to fix that from a YouTube video. It might take you a little bit longer than it would take a plumber, but there’s no replacement for the gratification you feel, right?
At least, until your sink begins to leak again. That’s because sometimes the skill and experience of a professional can’t be effectively substituted for a quick fix.
It isn’t always easy to admit that this is the situation. And, to some extent, that’s why people will frequently continue to seek out “easy” DIY-fixes for intricate problems, which may help explain the popularity of something called ear candling (or, sometimes, earwax candling). It sounds… sort of gross, doesn’t it? So, exactly 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 stuffy-ear kind of feeling? Occasionally, it takes place when you’re sick and your ear fills with mucus. Too much earwax can also trigger this feeling and that can occur for various reasons. This can sometimes be very uncomfortable. You may even experience a temporary loss of hearing. It sort of stinks!
Some individuals, as a result, think that ear candling is just the inexpensive and novel fix they need. The idea is that a special hollow candle is placed into your ear (non-burning end). Somehow, the mix of heat and the hollow style of the candle alters the air pressure inside of your ear canal, pulling the earwax or mucus out.
Healthcare professionals definitely don’t suggest this practice. If you’re looking for proof that ear candling really works and pulls out wax, you won’t find any. Nearly every single hearing healthcare professional, as a result, will strongly recommend against using this practice ever. (Does ear candling help with sinus pressure? Also no.)
The FDA also firmly advises against this approach.
What are the disadvantages of ear candling?
Initially, ear candling might seem completely safe. It’s not like it’s a giant flame. And you’re utilizing “specialized” equipment. And individuals on the internet said it was safe! So, how could ear candling be dangerous?
Ear candling can, unfortunately, be really hazardous and there’s no way of getting around that! What negative affects can ear candling have? Ear candling can impact your health in the following negative and potentially painful ways:
- Your Eardrum might accidentally get punctured: There’s a danger that comes with inserting anything in your ears! You might accidentally pierce your eardrum, creating considerable discomfort and damage to your hearing. If this takes place it’s very likely that you will have to get professional help.
- You could severely burn your face: Look, any time you’re holding candles that close to your face, there’s a strong possibility you’ll burn yourself. Everyone has accidents once in a while. Severe burns on the face are not the only hazards, you could also catch your hair on fire or drip hot wax into your eye.
- You can jam that earwax even further into your ear: Putting an ear candle inside your ear can actually force earwax further into the ear canal much like when you utilize a cotton swab. In other words, ear candling can make your earwax problem worse! This can result in all sorts of other complications from hearing loss to serious infections.
- You can leave candle wax behind in your ear: Even if you don’t get burned, surplus ear candle wax can go into your ears. Your hearing can become impacted from this, not to mention the uncomfortableness.
- Your ear can be severely burned: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are extremely hot. If the tip of the candle or the wax gets where it’s not supposed to, you’re facing some substantial burning possibilities in your ear (and your ear is a sensitive location).
So, is ear candling recommended by hearing healthcare professionals? Not at all! Not only is ear candling not practical, it’s actually really dangerous!
So how should you eliminate earwax?
Ear wax is usually pretty healthy. It’s good for your ears in normal quantities. It’s only when there’s an excessive amount of earwax (or it isn’t draining properly) that you start to have difficulty. So what should you do if utilizing a candle is a bad plan?
If you have an earwax obstruction, the most beneficial thing to do may be speaking with a hearing specialist. Normally, they will recommend that you try some at-home solutions, like a saline wash, to loosen the wax allowing it to drip out by itself. But in some situations, they will do a cleaning for you.
Hearing specialists have special tools and training that allow them to clear away wax without damaging your ear.
In general, you should stay away from techniques like using cotton swabs and earwax candling. Nothing smaller than your finger should go into your ears unless advised by your hearing specialist or physician.
Give your ears some relief
If surplus earwax is causing you a little discomfort or distress, you should schedule an appointment with us. We will be capable of helping you clear any stubborn earwax out of your ears and get you back to feeling normal.
References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky
