Earwax buildup can block the ear canal, making the ear feel blocked and hearing difficult. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, it is important to keep your ears clean, which can be done using a soft towel, irrigating the ear or dripping drops of vegetable oil.
It is not recommended to clean the ears with a cotton swab or other sharp object, such as a pen cap or paper clip, for example, because they can push the wax deeper or even rupture the eardrum.
If signs and symptoms of infection are identified, such as ear pain, fever, ear itching and bad smell in the ear, it is important that the otolaryngologist is consulted, as it is possible that an evaluation of the ear is carried out, a professional cleaning is carried out. and the most appropriate treatment, if necessary, is initiated.
So, the best strategies to keep your ear always clean are:
1. Pass the corner of the towel or wet cotton pad
After the bath, you can pass the corner of a wet towel or a wet cotton pad across the ear, as this will safely remove the dirt accumulated on the outside of the ear;
2. Drip drops of vegetable oil
If the person has a lot of accumulated wax, to soften it and make it easier to leave, you can drip 2 drops of Johnson or almond oil in the ear and then, with a syringe, throw a little saline solution inside the ear and turn the head sideways. , so that the liquid comes out completely and there is no infection.
3. Use Cerumin
Cerumin is a product that has antifungal and disinfectant action, in addition to being able to soften and dissolve the wax accumulated in the ear canal, facilitating its removal. Learn more about Cerumin and how to use it.
4. Irrigation in the ear
Ear irrigation with warm water is also an option to keep the ear clean and remove any wax that may have accumulated. For irrigation, you must use a specific syringe, known as a bulb syringe, which must be filled with warm water.
It is recommended that the person turn the ear upwards, place the tip of the syringe at the entrance of the ear and gently squeeze the warm water out, which should remain in the ear for about 60 seconds. Then, turn your head to the other side to let the water out. See in more detail how to irrigate the ear.
In addition to irrigation in the ear, it is also interesting to keep the nose properly clean and free of secretions, because the nose and ear are connected internally and it is often the accumulation of phlegm in the airways that causes ear infections after an episode. cold, for example. Thus, to eliminate the maximum amount of nasal secretion, cleaning can be done using a 10 mL syringe to introduce the saline solution, which will come out through the other nostril. See the step-by-step nasal wash.
5. Wear an earplug
The use of earplugs is indicated before going to the beach or pool, for example, as this way it is possible to prevent the entry of water and, consequently, the occurrence of infections, keeping the ear clean.
Signs of an ear infection
In some cases, the wax accumulated in the ear canal can cause infection, which can be noticed through some signs and symptoms, the main ones being:
- Clogged ear sensation;
- Earache;
- Fever;
- Itching in the ear;
- Bad smell in the ear, if there is pus involved;
- Decreased hearing;
- Feeling of dizziness or vertigo.
When these symptoms are present, it is recommended to consult the otolaryngologist so that the ear can be examined internally with a small device called an otoscope, which allows you to observe even the eardrum.
In case of infection, the doctor may indicate the use of antibiotics to deflate the ear canal and fight the infection, being necessary to use the medicines for the time determined by the doctor, so that the situation is really solved, because otherwise, there will only be an improvement. symptoms and in a few weeks the ear infection will reappear, potentially putting hearing at risk.
