DIY is all the rage nowadays and everyone likes a quick easy fix. Sink Leaking? You can learn 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. Because, as it turns out, sometimes a DIY fix is no replacement for the well-sharpened skills of a professional.
Sometimes, that’s difficult to admit. Ear candling or earwax candling is a perfect example of a DIY fix that people keep going back to. It doesn’t really sound very pleasing, does it? So, exactly what is ear candling, and how is it maybe not the best thing ever? Well, let’s get into that.
Ear candling – what is it?
Everybody has had the feeling of a plugged ear now and then. Sometimes, it takes place when you’re ill and your ear fills with mucus. In other cases, it may happen because you have a surplus of earwax in your ears (and surplus earwax can have any number of causes). This can sometimes be very uncomfortable. Your hearing may even temporarily go. It sort of stinks!
This means that some people believe they have found what seems to be a natural and novel solution: ear candling. The concept is to put the non-burning end of a special, hollow candle in your ear. Individuals believe that the wax and mucus are pulled out by the blend of heat and pressure changes in your ear.
It should be quickly recognized that ear candling isn’t advocated by healthcare professionals. Do ear candles really pull wax out? No. There’s positively no proof that ear candling works (especially not in the way that it’s supposed to work). In other words, most hearing and healthcare professionals will strongly advocate against ever using this practice. Ear candling also doesn’t help with sinus pressure.
Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA advising about ear candling? Basically, don’t do it!)
What are the disadvantages of ear candling?
Ear candling may feel safe, at first. It’s a really small flame. And you’re utilizing “specialized” equipment. And people on the internet said it was safe! So, how could ear candling be dangerous?
Ear candling can, unfortunately, be very dangerous and there’s no way of getting around that! What are the negative effects of ear candling? Ear candling can impact your health in the following negative and possibly painful ways:
- Your ear can be seriously burned: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are very hot. If the candle tips or the wax goes into where it’s not supposed to, you’re facing some substantial burning possibilities in your ear (and your ear is a sensitive spot).
- Your face could be seriously burned: There’s always a pretty good chance that if you’re holding a flame up near your ear, you might burn your face. Accidents will happen! Serious burns on the face aren’t the only hazards, you could also catch your hair on fire or trickle hot wax into your eye.
- The earwax can be crammed even further into your ear: In much the same way that sticking a Q-tip in your ear can pack the earwax into an ever-more-dense blockage, so too can sticking a specialized candle in your ear. Your earwax problem can be worsened by earwax candling, in other words! This can cause all sorts of other complications from hearing loss to severe infections.
- Your Eardrum might accidentally get punctured: There’s a risk that comes with pushing anything in your ears! Your hearing will suffer substantial damage and discomfort if you end up puncturing your eardrum. Often, this is something that needs to be addressed by a hearing professional.
- Your ear can have surplus candle wax left behind: The candle wax can get into your ears even if you don’t get burned. This Leftover wax can cause significant discomfort and, eventually, affect your hearing.
So, is ear candling approved by hearing healthcare professionals? No… not even a little! Ultimately, earwax candling isn’t simply useless, it’s downright dangerous.
A better way to Tackle earwax
Earwax is actually a good thing. It’s good for your ears in normal quantities. Problems start when there’s an overabundance of earwax or when it won’t properly drain. So what should you do if utilizing a candle is a bad strategy?
If you have an earwax blockage, the best thing to do might be speaking with a hearing specialist. They may advise some at-home remedies (such as using saline or mineral oil to soften the wax, allowing it to kind of run out on its own). But in some instances, they will perform a cleaning for you.
Hearing specialists have specific tools and training that allow them to clean out wax without harming your ear.
It’s best to avoid things like ear candles and cotton swabs. Nothing smaller than your finger should go into your ears unless advised by your hearing specialist or physician.
Give your ears some relief
Schedule an appointment with us if you have surplus earwax that’s causing you some discomfort. We will be capable of helping you clean 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