Chloe Adams
Ear candling is an alternative medicine practice that involves placing a hollow candle into the ear canal and lighting the other end. The warmth of the candle's flame is thought to create a vacuum, pulling earwax and debris into the candle. While some people claim that ear candling can treat conditions like tinnitus, sinus infections, and colds, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. On the contrary, ear candling can be dangerous and has been known to cause burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations. If you are experiencing issues with earwax buildup, it is recommended that you consult a doctor or healthcare provider for professional cleaning or advice on safe at-home treatments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is ear candling | A practice where a hollow candle is inserted into the external auditory canal and lit to create a vacuum to remove earwax and debris |
| Who should not try ear candling | People with a damaged eardrum |
| Who should not try ear candling | Children |
| Risks | Burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, ear drum perforations, skin/hair burns, middle ear damage, fire |
| Scientific evidence | No reliable scientific evidence on the effectiveness of ear candling |
| Ear candling procedure | Sit upright, rub the area behind the ear, put a paper plate or pie tin over the ear, light the candle, trim the candle, blow out the flame, wipe the outer ear |
| Ear candling procedure details | Burn the candle for approximately 15 minutes, trim the candle every 2 inches, allow the candle to burn to within 3-4 inches, observe debris on the candle stub |
| Ear candling benefits | Relaxation, against earwax, ear problems such as ringing in the ears, treat sinus infections, colds, ear pressure, mild earache |
| Alternative to ear candling | Over-the-counter ear drops, olive oil, professional cleaning by a doctor |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your ear candling area and position
Ear candling is an alternative medicine practice that is believed to remove earwax and treat several health conditions. However, it is important to note that there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, and it has been associated with serious injuries and complications. If you still choose to proceed with ear candling, here is some information on how to prepare your ear candling area and position:
Firstly, ensure you have all the necessary materials, including the ear candle(s), a bowl of water, a paper plate or pie tin, and a towel or cloth for protection. It is also recommended to have a friend or family member assist you during the process.
Choose a safe and comfortable area to perform the ear candling. It is important to minimise distractions and create a calm environment. Make sure you have easy access to a sink or water source in case of any accidents.
For the procedure, you will need to sit upright in a stable position. It is recommended to massage the area around and behind your ear, including your jawbone, temple, and scalp, to help you relax and stimulate circulation. Ensure your hair is tied back or secured to prevent any potential fire hazards.
To protect yourself from burns, cut a small hole in the paper plate or pie tin and place it over your ear. This will catch any falling ash or dripping wax during the candling process. It is important to be cautious and aware of the risks involved throughout the entire procedure.
Before placing the candle, ensure the area is clean and dry. Check that your hair and clothing are not in the way, and adjust your position or the candle as needed to achieve a secure fit. The candle should be placed gently into your ear canal, with the pointed end inserted and the open end facing outwards.
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Insert the candle and light it
Ear candling is an alternative practice believed to treat several conditions, including excess ear wax, earaches, and sinus infections. However, it is important to note that there is no scientific proof of its effectiveness, and it can cause serious injuries. It is always recommended to consult a doctor for professional ear cleaning or advice on safe at-home treatments.
If you choose to proceed with ear candling, it is crucial to take safety precautions and understand the risks involved. Ensure you have an assistant to help with the process, and always follow the manufacturer's directions. Here is a step-by-step guide to inserting the candle and lighting it:
Insert the candle
Ear candles are hollow cone-shaped candles made of wax-covered fabric. Before inserting the candle, massage the area around and behind your ear to relax and stimulate circulation. Then, place the pointed end of the candle into your ear canal. Ensure a secure fit by checking that no smoke escapes from between your ear and the small end of the candle. If there is smoke, readjust your position or the candle.
Light the candle
With the candle securely in place, light the open end of the candle. As the candle burns, it is essential to prevent any wax from dripping into your ear or on the skin around it. Have your assistant monitor the candle and use a bowl of water to trim the burnt material regularly. This will help keep the candle open and minimize the risk of wax dripping.
Burn time
Allow the candle to burn for approximately 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the candle to ensure it doesn't burn down too short, as this can increase the risk of burning your scalp or depositing candle wax in your ear. The session is usually complete when the candle stub is within 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) of your head.
Extinguish the candle
Once the candle has burned down to the desired length, ask your assistant to extinguish it in the bowl of water. This will help ensure that the flame is safely put out. If necessary, use a toothpick to clear the opening of any obstruction before reinserting the candle into your ear.
Remember, ear candling carries risks, and it is essential to be aware of them before proceeding. Always prioritize your safety and well-being when considering any treatment, including alternative practices like ear candling.
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Burn the candle for 15 minutes
Ear candling is a process that involves placing a special candle in the patient's outer ear canal and lighting it to remove earwax and dust particles. The candle is burned for about 15 minutes. Here are some detailed instructions for burning the candle for 15 minutes:
Prepare the candle
Before inserting the candle into your ear, ensure that it is properly sized to fit your ear canal. The candle should be a hollow cone shape, made of wax-covered fabric, and about 20-30 cm long. Trim the tapered end of the candle with scissors if necessary, making the opening slightly larger so that it fills your ear canal. Ensure there is a clear pathway from one end of the candle to the other.
Insert the candle
With the candle properly sized, insert the pointed end of the candle into your ear. The candle should be placed securely in your ear canal, with no smoke escaping. If there is smoke escaping, readjust the candle's position or try a new candle.
Light the candle
Once the candle is securely in place, light the open end of the candle. The candle will burn for about 15 minutes, during which time you should trim it every couple of inches into a bowl of water to prevent wax from dripping into your ear or onto your skin.
Extinguish the candle
After 15 minutes, the candle should be about 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) from the end. At this point, carefully blow out the flame or have your assistant extinguish it in a bowl of water. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Remove the candle
Once the candle is extinguished, carefully remove it from your ear. There may be a mixture of wax and debris on the stub, which some believe is earwax and bacteria. Cut open the candle to display the inside materials.
It is important to note that ear candling is controversial, with many medical professionals warning against it due to the risk of injury and infection. It should not be attempted without proper research and understanding of the risks involved.
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Extinguish the candle in a bowl of water
While ear candling is advocated by alternative medicine practitioners for its health benefits, many medical doctors believe it is ineffective and dangerous. If you choose to proceed with ear candling, it is important to take precautions to minimise the risk of injury.
To extinguish the candle safely, it is recommended to use a bowl of water. This method helps to prevent burns by ensuring the candle is fully extinguished. Ask your assistant to hold the candle in the bowl of water until the flame is out. This should only be done when there are approximately 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) of the candle remaining.
Using a bowl of water to extinguish the candle is a safer alternative to blowing it out. Blowing out a candle can cause hot wax to spray and create issues with the wax, such as tunneling and unevenness. It also causes the wick to emit a lot of smoke, which can negatively impact the scent of the candle.
Another recommended method to extinguish a candle is to use a wick dipper or a candle snuffer. A wick dipper involves dipping the wick into the melted wax and then lifting it out, extinguishing the flame instantly with minimal smoke. A candle snuffer is a tool with a long handle and a bell-shaped end. The bell-shaped end is placed over the flame until the fire is extinguished.
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Observe the candle stub for debris
Ear candling, also known as "ear coning," involves placing a hollow candle soaked in beeswax or paraffin into the ear. The far end of the candle is then lit, and the heat allegedly produces suction that draws out ear wax, debris, and bacteria from the ear canal.
After the procedure, the candle stub is removed from the ear canal, and there may be a mixture of wax and debris on it. Alternative health practitioners believe this to be ear wax and bacteria. However, researchers have analysed the brown residue or debris at the end of the candle and found that it does not contain any components of normal ear wax. Instead, it is simply burnt beeswax from the candle.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against using ear candling, noting that there are high risks involved and "no valid scientific evidence for any medical benefit from their use." The hot wax can cause burn injuries to the ear and face and damage the ear canal. There is also a chance of developing an outer ear infection, getting ash on the eardrum, or even perforating the eardrum.
Despite these warnings, some people continue to use ear candling as a form of alternative medicine. It is important to carefully observe the candle stub for debris and be aware of the potential risks associated with ear candling.
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