Cotton swabs are a staple in the bathroom and most of us take them as a quick solution to ear hygiene. However, experts have been warning for a long time that their use can do more harm than good.
Ear cleaning is part of the daily routine for many people. The feeling of cleanliness after use is pleasant, so it seems logical to use it. But the human ear works differently than we might think. There is no need to help him, on the contrary. According to doctors, ears are largely a self-cleaning organ and outside interventions can disrupt their natural balance.
You’ve probably heard from someone that using cotton buds to clean your ears can actually harm yourself. Watch the video to find out why and what’s behind it:
What really happens in the ear
Earwax certainly has a bad reputation, yet it performs a very important function. It protects the ear canal from drying out, traps dirt and prevents bacteria from getting deeper into the ear. When talking and chewing, it gradually moves outwards, where it is naturally removed by itself.
But using a cotton swab reverses this process. Instead of being removed, the sebum is often pushed deeper into the ear canal, where it can gradually build up and harden. A so-called sebum plug is formedwhich can lead to a feeling of ear plugging, impaired hearing or unpleasant pain.
Another risk is injury. All it takes is a slight movement, a slip of the hand or a sudden sound and the stick can damage the delicate structures inside the ear. Doctors regularly encounter a ruptured eardrum or small wounds that can easily become inflamed.
When a good intention causes a problem
In addition to mechanical damage, there is also a risk of infection. A cotton swab can push bacteria and dead cells deep into the ear that would otherwise come out of the ear on their own. The moist environment then creates ideal conditions for their reproduction.
The situation when part of the cotton wool is torn off from the stick in the ear is no exception. Such a foreign body often ends up in the doctor’s office or emergency room. At the same time, we take the risk completely unnecessarilybecause deep ear cleaning is simply not needed.
In addition, modern times bring additional complications. Long-term wearing of headphones or earplugs without adequate ventilation can trap moisture, which, together with careless cleaning, increases the likelihood of inflammation.
How to do ear hygiene safely
The basic rule is simple: no objects belong in the ear. The outer part of the ear can be gently washed with water and dried with a towel. If you feel an excessive amount of sebum, it can be softened with a few drops of oil and allowed to go away naturally.
In case of pain, ringing in the ears or hearing impairment, a visit to the doctor is in order. A specialist will examine the ears and, if necessary, safely remove the wax. The intervention of an expert is always much less risky than home experiments.
Cotton swabs therefore belong more in the first aid kit for minor injuries or make-up than in the ear. Ears usually take care of themselves. It is enough not to hinder them unnecessarily.
