Chloe Adams
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is an alternative medicine practice that involves placing a lit, hollow candle in the ear canal. The purported benefits of ear candling include removing earwax buildup, improving hearing, and curing ear infections. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, and major health authorities such as the FDA have warned against the use of ear candles due to the risk of serious physical injuries, including burns and damage to the middle ear. While some people swear by ear candling as a natural remedy, doctors do not recommend this practice as it is considered dangerous and ineffective. Instead, it is advised to consult a doctor or healthcare provider for professional earwax removal methods, such as over-the-counter ear drops or the use of specialised tools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | No scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of ear candling |
| Safety | Potentially unsafe, with risks of skin/hair burns, middle ear damage, and fire |
| Side effects | Burning of the face, neck, eardrum, middle ear, or ear canal from hot wax or ash |
| Health authority recommendations | FDA warns against using ear candles; American Academy of Otolaryngology does not support ear candling |
| Alternative treatments | Over-the-counter ear drops, professional cleaning by a healthcare provider, home remedies |
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What You'll Learn
How ear candling works
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is a form of alternative medicine that has been practised for thousands of years. It is supposed to help with the removal of earwax, improve hearing, and cure ear infections.
To perform ear candling, a person lies on their side with the ear to be treated facing up. A paper or foil plate is usually placed around the ear to catch any dripping wax. The candle is then inserted into the external ear canal and lit. The candle is burned for about 10 to 15 minutes, after which the flame is carefully blown out. The burnt material is trimmed away as the candle burns, and the candle stub is removed when it is a few inches from the person's head. The outer ear is then wiped clean with a cotton ball or pad.
The warmth of the candle's flame is thought to create a vacuum, generating enough suction to pull earwax and debris into the candle. Some also believe that the heat from the candle melts and softens the wax, which falls out over the next few days. After the procedure, the candle can be cut open, and the contents—a blend of burned candle wax and fabric—are claimed to be the impurities removed from the ear.
However, there is no scientific evidence to support the claims made about ear candling. Major health authorities such as the FDA have warned of the dangers of ear candles, including the risk of burns, wax clogging the ear canal, and punctured eardrums. It is recommended to consult a doctor or healthcare provider for professional earwax removal or advice on alternative safe methods.
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Potential benefits
Although there is no scientific evidence that ear candling works, and major health authorities advise against the practice, some people continue to use it.
Ear candling is an alternative approach to removing earwax. It involves placing a lit, hollow candle in the ear to create a low-level vacuum that is supposed to soften and remove earwax, along with other impurities.
Proponents of ear candling claim that it offers the following benefits:
- Removing wax, bacteria, and other debris from the ear canal: The heat from the candle is supposed to pull up the earwax. Some people also believe that the warmth of the candle's flame creates a vacuum, generating enough suction to pull wax and debris into the candle.
- Improving hearing: By removing wax and debris, ear candling is thought to improve hearing.
- Treating ear infections: Some people use ear candles to cure ear infections.
- Relieving sinus pain: Ear candling is also used to relieve sinus pain.
- Controlling blood pressure and stress: Some people claim that ear candling helps control blood pressure and stress.
- Strengthening the immune system: Ear candling is believed to clear the ear canal and clean out the rest of the pathways in the head, leaving a "clean head."
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Lack of scientific evidence
Ear candling, or ear coning, is a form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. It involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal and allowing it to burn for about 10 to 15 minutes. The candle is then removed, and proponents claim that the dark, waxy substance left in the hollow candle stub is proof that ear candling has successfully removed earwax and other debris from the ear.
However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of ear candling. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not found reliable scientific evidence on the effectiveness of ear candling and has warned consumers against its use due to the risk of serious physical injuries. The American Academy of Otolaryngology also does not support ear candling due to the lack of evidence and its safety risks.
A literature search from 1976 to 2006 revealed few references in the scientific literature and no case reports in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, a study that tested the hypothesis of ear candling creating a vacuum to draw out wax found no evidence of negative pressure or the presence of ear wax in the candle stub. Instead, the substance found was analysed and identified as candle wax.
While ear candling is touted as a way to remove earwax, improve hearing, and cure ear infections, there is no scientific basis for these claims. In fact, doctors do not recommend this practice as it is considered dangerous and ineffective. Ear candling can pose serious risks, including burning the face, neck, eardrum, middle ear, or ear canal from hot wax or ash. It can also worsen earwax buildup and make it more difficult to remove.
Furthermore, earwax is a self-cleansing, lubricating, and antibacterial substance for the ear canal. Most people do not need additional cleaning, and the safest way to address earwax buildup is to consult a healthcare provider for professional cleaning or recommended home remedies.
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Safety concerns and side effects
Ear candling is a scientifically unproven and potentially unsafe alternative remedy. There are many risks associated with ear candling, and there is no scientific evidence to support any of the claims made about its benefits.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against using lit candles close to the face, stating that ear candling carries a high risk of "potentially severe skin/hair burns and middle ear damage." The FDA has also reported that ear candles are associated with dangerous side effects and accidents, which can occur even when the candle is used according to the manufacturer's directions. These risks increase when children are involved, as they tend to move around during the procedure, allowing hot wax or ash to fall outside the protection. The American Academy of Otolaryngology also does not support ear candling due to its lack of evidence and safety risks.
There have been cases of ear candling causing serious harm to the ear. For example, a 50-year-old woman burned herself while attempting to remove the candle and spilled candle wax into her right ear canal. A large mass of solidified yellow candle wax was removed from her ear under general anesthetic, and she was left with a small perforation in her right tympanic membrane and mild conductive hearing loss. In another case, a 16-year-old boy who practiced ear candling for allergies started to experience pain in his ear and reduced hearing. A physician had to remove multiple pieces of candle debris from his eardrum.
Ear candling can also worsen earwax buildup and underlying infections. It is not a recommended treatment for earwax blockage, and research has found that it does not work. Doctors do not recommend this practice because it is considered dangerous and ineffective. Instead, it is advised to consult a doctor or healthcare provider for professional cleaning methods or recommended treatments.
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Alternative treatments
There are several alternative treatments for unclogging ears that do not involve ear candling. It is important to identify the cause of the blockage before attempting to treat it.
One common cause of clogged ears is a blockage in the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat. Infections such as the flu, sinusitis, or a cold may block the Eustachian tube, causing mucus and fluid to become trapped in the middle ear. This can lead to symptoms such as hearing difficulties, pain, and a feeling of fullness in the ears. In such cases, treating the underlying infection may help resolve the symptoms. The Valsalva maneuver, or "popping your ears," can also help open the Eustachian tubes if they become blocked due to pressure changes. This can be done by plugging your nose and blowing out while keeping your lips closed.
Another common cause of clogged ears is earwax buildup. While earwax is beneficial as a self-cleansing, lubricating, and antibacterial substance for the ear canal, it can occasionally cause discomfort. In most cases, earwax will naturally work its way out of the ear canal during motions such as chewing or swallowing. However, if you have severe earwax buildup, you may need medical intervention. It is important to note that you should never stick anything into your ear to remove earwax, as this can introduce bacteria, push the earwax further in, or cause injury. Instead, you can try using over-the-counter ear drops that can soften earwax and allow it to exit the ear more easily. This can be done by dripping mineral, olive, or baby oil into the ear, being careful to check the temperature first to ensure it is not too hot. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide otic eardrops can also be used.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no scientific evidence that ear candling works. It is not recommended by doctors due to its potential dangers and ineffectiveness.
Ear candling has been associated with serious physical injuries and side effects. The open flame and melting wax pose health risks such as burning the face, neck, eardrum, middle ear, or ear canal. It can also worsen earwax buildup and cause punctured eardrums.
Yes, there are safer alternatives to ear candling for earwax removal. Over-the-counter ear drops can help to soften and dislodge earwax. Your healthcare provider can also recommend earwax-softening agents such as saline, mineral oil, or olive oil. If needed, a healthcare provider can use instruments specifically designed to remove earwax, such as a small curved tool called a curet or suction techniques.
