Brooke Martin
Ear candling is an alternative medicine practice that involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear to create a vacuum that supposedly pulls out earwax and debris. While it is touted as a way to remove wax, improve hearing, and cure ear infections, there is no scientific evidence supporting its efficacy or safety. On the contrary, medical experts advise against it due to the risk of burns, fires, and eardrum damage. If you are experiencing earwax buildup, it is recommended to consult a doctor or try safer at-home treatments such as ear drops or oil.
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What You'll Learn
Ear candling setup
Ear candling is a potentially dangerous practice that involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear. It is a form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. The heat from the candle is supposed to pull up and remove earwax and other impurities. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the benefits of ear candling, and it is considered dangerous by doctors.
Prepare the necessary items:
- Purchase an ear candle, typically a hollow, cone-shaped candle made of fabric soaked in wax or a mixture of substances like beeswax and paraffin. These are usually around 10 inches long and can be found at health stores or pharmacies.
- Have a foil or paper plate ready to catch any dripping wax. You can cut a hole in the plate to secure the candle.
- Optional: A towel or cloth for extra protection.
Setup and procedure:
- Lie down on your side with the ear to be treated facing up.
- Size the tapered end of the candle to your ear. Trim the end with scissors if necessary, making the opening slightly larger so it fits snugly in your ear canal.
- Insert the tapered end of the candle into your ear canal. Ensure it is fitted properly to your ear's size and contours for a safe and effective candling process.
- Have an assistant light the opposite, wider end of the candle.
- The candle should be burned for approximately 10-20 minutes.
- As the candle burns, trim away any burnt material to keep the opening clear.
- Once the session is complete, blow out the flame, carefully remove the candle, and wipe the outer ear clean with a cotton ball or pad.
It is important to note that ear candling is not recommended by medical professionals due to safety concerns and a lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. There are alternative, safer methods for earwax removal, such as over-the-counter ear drops or professional cleaning by a doctor.
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How to insert the candle
Ear candling is a potentially dangerous practice that should not be performed alone. It is recommended that you have a friend or family member assist you during the process to help minimise the risk of burning yourself or causing other trauma to your ear.
Before inserting the candle, you should lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing up. The candle should be put through a hole in a paper or foil plate to catch any wax drippings. The pointed, tapered end of the candle should be sized to your ear, ensuring that it fits the size and contours of your ear canal. This can be achieved by trimming the end with scissors to make the opening slightly larger so it fills the ear canal.
To insert the candle, use a twisting motion so that the ear canal is sealed airtight. The candle should be placed vertically in your ear. A damp towel can be placed around the ear to catch any falling ash.
Once the candle is in place, it can be lit. The candle will burn for about 15 minutes, during which time the burnt material will be trimmed away. The session is complete when the candle stub is a few inches from your head.
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Lighting the candle
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is an ancient practice that carries serious health and safety risks. It is not recommended by doctors and there is no scientific evidence to support its efficacy. If you choose to proceed with ear candling, it is important to take precautions to minimise the risk of injury.
Once the candle is securely in place, the person assisting you can light the open end of the candle. As the candle burns, it is important to trim away the burnt material to keep the hole open. The candle should be allowed to burn for about 15 minutes, or until it is a few inches from your head, before carefully blowing out the flame. It is important to ensure that no wax or ash drips into the ear or onto the skin surrounding the ear.
After the candle has burned down, the inside of the candle can be inspected for any signs of earwax or debris. The warm air and slight overpressure created by the burning candle are believed to remove earwax and impurities from the ear. However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
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Removing the candle
Ear candling is a potentially dangerous practice that should not be performed alone. It is recommended to have a friend or family member assist you to minimise the risk of burning yourself or causing trauma to your ear.
To remove the candle, the flame should be carefully blown out by your assistant once the candle stub is a few inches from your head. The candle should not be burned down completely and should be extinguished after several minutes.
After blowing out the flame, the outer ear should be wiped clean with a cotton ball or pad to remove any remaining wax or debris. It is important to ensure that no wax or ash falls into the ear canal, as this could cause clogging and hearing loss.
The candle can then be cut open to inspect the inside. Proponents of ear candling believe that the presence of dark, waxy substances inside the candle stub proves that earwax and other impurities have been removed from the ear. However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness or safety of ear candling.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against using lit candles close to the face due to the risk of severe burns and middle ear damage, even when used according to the manufacturer's directions. It is always recommended to consult a doctor or healthcare professional for safe and effective earwax removal methods.
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Potential dangers
Ear candling 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. The heat from the candle is supposed to pull up earwax and other impurities. However, despite its long history, there are several potential dangers associated with ear candling that individuals should be aware of.
One of the main dangers of ear candling is the risk of burns to the face, ear canal, eardrum, and middle ear. Even when a plate or protective covering is used to catch dripping wax, hot wax can still accidentally fall onto the skin or into the ear canal, causing painful burns. The skin on the face, ears, and neck is extremely sensitive, and the combination of a narrow candle inside the ear and hot dripping wax also poses a significant risk of perforating or rupturing the eardrum. A perforated eardrum can increase the risk of infection and lead to hearing loss.
In addition to the risk of burns and eardrum damage, ear candling can also cause earwax to become compacted and pushed deeper into the ear canal, making it even more difficult to remove. This can result in a wax plug or impaction in the ear, which can cause hearing issues and require professional intervention to resolve. Furthermore, the flame and hot wax introduce the risk of starting a fire, especially when performed at home without proper supervision.
Another potential danger of ear candling is that it may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions or devices implanted in their ears. For example, those with surgically implanted tubes or hearing devices should refrain from ear candling. Additionally, ear candling is not recommended for children, who are at a higher risk of injuries and complications associated with the practice.
While ear candling may be tempting for those seeking alternative methods of earwax removal, it is important to prioritize safety. The lack of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of ear candling, coupled with the potential dangers outlined above, underscores the importance of consulting with healthcare professionals or audiologists for safe and effective earwax removal methods.
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