Tyler Brooks
Ear candling is a popular alternative approach for removing earwax. It involves placing a lit, hollow candle in your ear to create a low-level vacuum that is supposed to soften and remove earwax, along with other impurities. Despite its popularity, there is no scientific evidence that ear candling works, and medical experts advise against it due to safety hazards and the risk of injury. Instead, it is recommended to use over-the-counter wax softeners or hydrogen peroxide to dissolve earwax at home, or to consult a doctor for professional ear cleaning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it? | Ear candling is an alternative approach for removing earwax. |
| How does it work? | A lit, hollow candle is placed in the ear to create a low-level vacuum that is supposed to soften and remove earwax and other impurities. |
| Effectiveness | There is no scientific evidence that ear candling works. Studies have found no earwax in the candle stub and no change in the amount of earwax in the ear pre- and post-candling. |
| Safety | Ear candling is not safe and can cause serious injuries, burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations. |
| Recommendations | Medical experts advise against ear candling. Alternative treatments include over-the-counter wax softeners, hydrogen peroxide, or a visit to a doctor for professional ear cleaning. |
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What You'll Learn
The process of ear candling
Ear candling is an alternative approach to removing earwax. It involves placing a lit, hollow candle in your ear to create a low-level vacuum that is supposed to soften and remove earwax, along with other impurities. However, there is no scientific evidence that ear candling works, and medical experts advise against it due to safety concerns.
If you choose to proceed with ear candling, the first step is to purchase the candles, which are hollow fabric cones soaked in wax or paraffin. They are around 10 inches long and can be bought for a few dollars each. Cut a hole in a paper plate and stick the candle into it. This will help catch any falling wax or ash and prevent it from landing on your face.
Next, lie on your side and place the pointed end of the candle in your ear. Get someone you trust to light the opposite end of the candle. Allow the candle to burn down to within 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) of the end. Then, ask your assistant to extinguish the flame by dipping the candle in a bowl of water. This will help minimize the risk of burns.
Once the candle is extinguished, remove the stub from your ear canal. You may observe a mixture of wax and debris on the stub, which some alternative health practitioners believe is earwax and bacteria. However, studies have found no evidence that ear candles effectively draw out earwax.
It is important to be aware of the risks associated with ear candling. The practice can cause burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations, even when following the instructions on the packaging. Most medical doctors believe that ear candling is ineffective and dangerous.
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Safety concerns and side effects
Ear candling is a popular alternative approach for removing earwax. However, it poses several safety hazards and side effects, and medical experts advise against it.
Firstly, there is a risk of burning the skin or hair catching on fire. Candle wax may also drip into the ear canal, causing blockages and temporary hearing loss. The hot wax and ash produced during ear candling can also burn your face or ears.
Secondly, ear candling has been shown to cause ear infections and eardrum perforations, even when used according to the packaging. It can also push earwax deeper into the ear, making the blockage worse. Furthermore, there is a risk of the candle flame causing a fire or burning the user, especially when held close to the face.
Additionally, there is no scientific evidence that ear candling works. Studies have found no suction force during the procedure, and the temperatures produced are too low to melt earwax effectively. In one experiment, a candle was placed in a subject's ear, and a comparison candle was burned inside a cup. The contents of the candle in the ear were different from the control candle, suggesting that the material inside the candle was not earwax but a blend of burned candle wax and fabric.
Instead of ear candling, it is recommended to use over-the-counter wax softeners, hydrogen peroxide, or ear drops to dissolve and remove earwax safely. If you have excessive earwax buildup or discomfort, it is best to consult a doctor or a medical professional for advice and treatment.
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Alternative methods to remove earwax
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, involves placing a lit, hollow candle in the ear to create a vacuum that supposedly draws out earwax. However, medical experts advise against it due to safety hazards, including burns, fires, and wax dripping into the ear canal or eardrum. There is also no evidence that ear candling is effective in treating sinus infections or other health conditions related to the middle ear, sinuses, Eustachian tubes, or nasal passages.
Over-the-Counter Drops
Use over-the-counter ear drops or cleaners that contain hydrogen peroxide or other types of peroxide. These solutions can effectively break up and dissolve earwax. Tilt your head sideways, apply the drops as directed, and let the solution sit in your ear for around five minutes. Sit up and use a tissue to catch any liquid that comes out along with the loosened earwax. Avoid this method if you have a large amount of wax buildup or impacted cerumen (a firm wax plug blocking your ear canal), as softening the plug without removing it may worsen the problem.
Irrigation
Irrigation can be used to flush out excess earwax. After softening the wax with a solution like hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, glycerin, or baby oil, use a rubber-bulb syringe to gently squirt warm water into your ear canal. Tilt your head and gently pull your outer ear up and back to straighten the ear canal. Tip your head to the side afterward to let the water drain out, and dry your ear with a towel or handheld dryer.
Baking Soda Solution
Create a solution by dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 2 ounces of warm water. Apply this solution to your ear once a day for up to two weeks. The baking soda solution may help clear up earwax buildup within a few days.
Medical Intervention
If at-home remedies are ineffective or you experience discomfort or hearing difficulties, consult an otolaryngologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. They have specialized tools, such as scoopers, vacuums, and irrigation techniques, to safely remove earwax.
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Scientific evidence for ear candling
Ear candling is a popular practice that involves placing a hollow candle (made from a fabric tube soaked in beeswax) in the external auditory canal. The candle is lit and burned for about 15 minutes. After the procedure, a brown waxy substance, believed by ear candling practitioners to be a mixture of ear wax, debris, and bacteria, is left in the candle stub.
Despite its popularity, there is no scientific evidence that ear candling is effective or safe. In fact, major health authorities such as the FDA have warned of the dangers of ear candles for several years. The open flame and melting wax pose a number of health risks, including burning the face, neck, eardrum, middle ear, or ear canal.
Proponents of ear candling offer two main theories about how it works. The first is the "chimney effect", which claims that the burning candle creates a vacuum that draws out wax, debris, and bacteria. The other theory claims that the candle does not draw out ear wax, but instead heats it up so that it melts and can be removed more easily. However, there is no evidence to support either of these theories.
In addition, ear candling can be dangerous, especially for children. There have been cases of people experiencing pain, hearing loss, and perforation of the eardrum after attempting ear candling. In one case, a large mass of solidified candle wax had to be removed from a patient's ear under general anesthetic.
Instead of ear candling, it is recommended to use over-the-counter wax softeners or hydrogen peroxide to dissolve ear wax. If someone has a large amount of ear wax or is experiencing discomfort, it is best to see a doctor or a specialist such as an otolaryngologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor.
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What to do if you experience earwax buildup
Ear candling is a technique that uses a long, hollow wax paper tube. One end of the tube is placed in the ear, and the other end is lit. While proponents of ear candling claim that it creates a vacuum that draws out ear wax, there is no evidence that ear candling works or is safe. Medical experts advise against trying it as it can cause burns, and your hair catching on fire.
If you experience earwax buildup, it is recommended to see a doctor or a healthcare provider who can help with earwax removal. They might use little scoopers, vacuums, or water to irrigate the ear canal. If you are unable to visit a healthcare provider, you can try dissolving the wax with over-the-counter wax softeners or hydrogen peroxide. However, if you have ear tubes or a hole in your eardrum, avoid using these substances as they can be harmful.
Alternatively, you can try putting 2-3 drops of olive or almond oil (unless you're allergic to almonds) in your ear while lying on your side for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this process 3-4 times a day for 3-5 days. Over about 2 weeks, lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear. You can also speak to a pharmacist about earwax buildup, as they can provide advice and suggest treatments.
It is important to avoid using cotton swabs, Q-tips, or any other objects like bobby pins or toothpicks to remove earwax, as these can push the wax further into the ear and cause more harm than good.
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Frequently asked questions
Ear candling involves placing a lit, hollow candle in your ear to create a low-level vacuum that is supposed to soften and remove earwax and other impurities.
Cut a hole in a paper plate and stick the candle into it. Lie on your side. Place the candle in your ear canal and get someone to light the opposite end. Let it burn for about 15 minutes, then extinguish it in a bowl of water.
Yes, you can try over-the-counter ear drops or hydrogen peroxide to help dissolve and remove earwax. You can also try ear irrigation using a rubber bulb syringe and body-temperature water.
No, ear candling is not safe and can cause burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations. There is also no scientific evidence that it is effective at removing earwax.
If you think you have a buildup of earwax, see your doctor. They can perform a professional ear cleaning or suggest safe at-home treatments.
