Tyler Brooks
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is a form of alternative medicine that involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal. The warmth of the candle's flame is thought to create a vacuum, pulling earwax and impurities out of the ear. While some people claim that ear candling can help with earwax removal, improve hearing, and treat conditions like sinus infections, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. On the contrary, doctors and healthcare professionals warn that ear candling can be dangerous and ineffective, with potential risks including burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum damage. Despite these concerns, some individuals continue to advocate for ear candling as a natural and relaxing solution for earwax buildup.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is ear candling? | A form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. |
| What is used? | A hollow, cone-shaped candle made of wax-covered fabric, beeswax, paraffin, or a mix of the two. |
| How is it done? | The pointed end of the candle is placed in the ear, and the other end is lit. |
| Who does it? | An herbalist, massage therapist, or beauty salon specialist. |
| How long does it take? | Approximately 15 minutes. |
| What are the risks? | Burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations. |
| Is it effective? | There is no scientific evidence that ear candling is effective. |
| Is it safe? | Not recommended by doctors due to safety risks. |
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What You'll Learn
Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up
While ear candling is considered a dangerous practice by doctors, who recommend seeking professional help for earwax removal, some still use it as a form of alternative medicine. If you choose to proceed with ear candling, it is important to take precautions to avoid injury.
To start the ear candling process, lie on your side with the affected ear facing up. Rest your head on the ear that is not being treated. Place a damp towel around the affected ear to catch any falling ash. Insert the ear candle vertically into the affected ear with a twisting motion, ensuring that the ear canal is sealed airtight. Check that there is no smoke escaping from between your ear and the small end of the candle. If there is, readjust your position or the candle.
The pointed end of the candle should now be in your ear, with the open end lit. As the candle burns, trim it every two inches into a bowl of water. The candle should be burned for about 15 minutes, until it is 3-4 inches from your head. Then, carefully blow out the flame.
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Insert the candle vertically with a twisting motion
While it is recommended that you do not try ear candling on yourself, if you choose to do so, you must lie on your side and rest your head on the ear that is not being treated. Insert the ear candle vertically into the ear with a twisting motion to ensure that the ear canal is sealed airtight. This is important to prevent smoke from escaping. If you do not have a secure fit, readjust your position or the candle. A damp towel around the ear can catch falling ash.
Ear candles are hollow cone candles made of wax-covered fabric. They are 20 to 30 cm long and are made of beeswax, essential oils, gauze, powdered plant parts, and cotton. The pointed end of the candle is placed in your ear while the other end is lit. The warm "suction" is believed to remove earwax, improve hearing, and treat conditions like sinus infections and colds.
It is important to note that ear candling is not recommended by healthcare professionals. There is no evidence that it is effective in removing earwax, and it can be dangerous, causing burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations. If you need to remove earwax, it is best to see a doctor for a professional cleaning or seek advice from a hearing specialist.
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Light the candle and let it burn for 15 minutes
Ear candling is a form of alternative medicine that has been practised for thousands of years. It involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear. The heat from the candle is supposed to pull up earwax. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the benefits of ear candling, and doctors do not recommend this practice because it is considered dangerous and ineffective. It can cause burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations.
If you still choose to proceed with ear candling, it is important to follow the steps correctly and ensure that the treatment is carried out by a second person, ideally an experienced practitioner with the appropriate tools. Here is a step-by-step guide to lighting the candle and letting it burn for 15 minutes:
- Prepare the candle: Ear candles are hollow cone-shaped candles made of wax-covered fabric, beeswax, essential oils, gauze, powdered plant parts, and cotton. Before inserting the candle, ensure that it is sized appropriately for your ear. The candle should be fitted to the size and contours of your ear. You can use scissors to trim the tapered end, making the opening slightly larger so it fills the ear canal. Remove any obstructions from the candle's smaller end.
- Prepare the treatment area: Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and wipe off your ear with a moist cloth. Cover your head and upper torso with a damp towel to catch any falling ash and protect against burns.
- Lie down: Position yourself on your side with the ear to be treated facing up. This will allow the candle to be inserted vertically into the ear.
- Insert the candle: With a twisting motion, insert the candle vertically into your ear canal. Ensure that it is sealed airtight.
- Light the candle: Light the open end of the candle. As the candle burns, trim away the burnt material and keep the hole open. Do not allow any wax to drip into the ear or on the skin around it.
- Let the candle burn: Allow the candle to burn for approximately 15 minutes. The warmth of the flame is believed to create a vacuum effect, generating suction to pull out earwax and debris.
After the 15 minutes have passed, carefully blow out the flame. The candle stub should be a few inches from your head at this point. Remove the candle, wipe the outer ear clean with a cotton ball or pad, and dispose of the candle safely.
While ear candling may be tempting to try, it is crucial to remember the potential risks associated with this practice. The safest way to address earwax buildup is to consult a healthcare professional, who can recommend proven methods of earwax removal or perform a professional cleaning.
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Extinguish the candle in a bowl of water
Ear candling is a form of alternative medicine that has been practised for thousands of years. It involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal. The heat from the candle is supposed to pull up ear wax and create a vacuum. However, doctors do not recommend this practice because it is considered dangerous and ineffective. The American Academy of Otolaryngology and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also do not support the use of ear candling due to safety risks and the lack of evidence that it works.
If you choose to perform ear candling, it is important to take safety precautions to avoid injury. The candle should be inserted through a foil or paper plate to catch hot wax, and a towel can be placed on your head and neck for added protection. It is also crucial to never perform ear candling on yourself.
After the candle has burned for about 15 minutes, it must be carefully extinguished. Blowing out the candle is a common method, but it can cause hot wax to splatter and potentially burn your skin. It also produces a large plume of smoke, which can be unpleasant and set off smoke alarms. Therefore, it is recommended to use a metal candle snuffer to extinguish the flame. Place the bell of the snuffer, the small metal cup at the end of the long handle, over the wick. This will deprive the flame of oxygen and stifle it gradually, creating less smoke and soot. Hold the snuffer in place for a few seconds to ensure the flame is completely extinguished.
Alternatively, you can extinguish the candle by wetting your fingers and quickly pinching and releasing the wick. This method requires caution as it involves touching the wick, and there is a risk of burning your fingers. Make sure to let go immediately once the flame is out.
Always remember to prioritise safety when dealing with candles or any open flames. Extinguishing the candle in a bowl of water is not recommended as it can cause hot wax to spurt out and create a mess. It can also lead to burns and cause glass candle holders to crack due to the sudden change in temperature. Instead, use a candle snuffer or the wet finger method to safely extinguish the flame.
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Observe debris on the candle stub
Ear candling is a form of alternative medicine that has been practised for thousands of years. It involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal. The candle is typically made from a fabric tube soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or a mix of the two.
After the procedure, the candle is cut open to display its contents, which are believed to be earwax, debris, and bacteria. However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support the claims that ear candling is effective in removing earwax or treating any other health condition. In fact, doctors and experts do not recommend this practice due to safety risks, including burns, wax clogging the ear, and damage to the eardrum.
Despite these warnings, some people still choose to perform ear candling. If you decide to do so, it is crucial to take precautions to minimize the risk of injury. This includes having the procedure done by a professional, such as an herbalist, massage therapist, or beauty salon specialist, and never attempting it on yourself. Additionally, a plate should be placed under the candle to catch any dripping wax, and a towel can be used to protect the face and neck.
After the candling, when observing the debris on the candle stub, it is important to understand that the presence of wax or other substances does not necessarily indicate that earwax or impurities have been removed from the ear. In fact, studies have shown that the debris found in the candle stub may simply be a result of the burning candle itself, and it can even include candle wax that has dripped into the ear during the process.
Therefore, while observing the debris on the candle stub after ear candling, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and lack of scientific evidence supporting the practice. If you are considering ear candling or have concerns about earwax buildup, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional for advice and safe alternative treatments.
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Frequently asked questions
Ear candling, or ear coning, is the practice of placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear. It is a form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. Ear candling is supposed to remove ear wax, improve hearing, and cure ear infections.
It is recommended to have a friend or family member assist you with the process. First, lie on your side with the ear that is being treated facing up. Then, insert the ear candle vertically into the ear with a twisting motion so that the ear canal is sealed airtight. A damp towel can be placed around the ear to catch falling ash. Next, light the open end of the candle and let it burn for about 15 minutes. As the candle burns, trim it into a bowl of water every couple of inches. Finally, extinguish the flame by dipping the candle in the bowl of water.
No, ear candling is not considered safe by healthcare professionals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against using lit candles close to the face due to the risk of severe burns, middle ear damage, and fires. Ear candling can also cause earwax buildup, ear infections, and eardrum perforations.
