Ben Carter
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is an alternative medicine practice that involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal to create a vacuum that supposedly pulls out earwax and other impurities. While it is touted as a safe and effective way to remove earwax, improve hearing, and treat various health conditions, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, medical experts caution against ear candling as it can cause burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations. If you are considering ear candling, it is important to be aware of the risks and potential dangers associated with the practice. While some people attempt it at home, it is not advised due to the risk of injury.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is ear candling? | A form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. |
| How does it work? | The heat from the candle is supposed to pull up the ear wax. |
| What is an ear candle made of? | A hollow, cone-shaped piece of cotton soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or a mix of the two. |
| How long is an ear candle? | Around 10 inches long. |
| How much does it cost? | A few dollars apiece. |
| What are the risks? | Burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and ear drum perforations. |
| What do medical experts recommend instead? | Applying ear drops, using oil or glycerin drops, or irrigating ears to remove wax plugs. |
| What should you do before the procedure? | Massage the area around and behind your ear, including behind your jawbone, around your temple, and your scalp for at least 30 seconds. |
| What do you need for the procedure? | A paper plate or pie tin, a candle, and a towel. |
| How do you do the procedure? | Cut a small hole in the paper plate or pie tin and place it over your ear. Position the tapered end of the candle in your ear canal and light the other end. Let it burn for about 15 minutes, then blow out the flame. |
| What should you do after the procedure? | Wipe the outer ear with a cotton ball or pad and cut open the candle to display the inside materials. |
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What You'll Learn
Cut a hole in a paper plate
To prepare an ear candle at home, you will need a hollow fabric cone soaked in wax or paraffin, a paper plate, and a candle.
To cut a hole in a paper plate, you can try the following methods:
Using a Template
Create a template by taking a piece of paper the same size as the paper plate. Fold it in half, and then in half again (top to bottom and then side to side) to find the middle. Punch a hole in the middle of the template using a single-hole puncher. Place the template on the paper plate and use it as a guide to cut a hole in the plate.
Tracing with a Blade
Trace the outline of a circular object, such as a small cup or a lid, with an X-acto blade or a pen tip. Cut along the traced line with the blade to create a hole.
Cutting Freehand
Cut a hole in the paper plate freehand using scissors or a craft knife. Start by folding the plate in half and cutting a semi-circle along the fold. Unfold the plate and cut along the crease towards the centre of the plate. This will create a hole in the centre of the plate.
Using a Hole Punch
If you have a large enough hole punch, you can use it to punch a hole in the paper plate. First, fold the plate in half and then unfold it to find the centre. Place the hole punch in the centre of the plate and punch a hole.
It is important to ensure that the hole in the paper plate is slightly smaller than the width of the ear candle so that it fits snugly and securely.
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Prepare the candle
Ear candles are hollow, cone-shaped candles made from cotton soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or a mix of the two. They are around 10 inches long.
To prepare an ear candle at home, follow these steps:
Firstly, cut a small hole in a paper plate or pie tin. This will be used to catch any hot wax or ash that may fall. Ensure the hole is slightly larger than the width of the candle so that it fits snugly. Place the plate or tin aside for now.
Next, prepare the candle by cutting it to the desired length. The candle should be long enough to burn for several minutes, but not so long that it poses a fire hazard. A good rule of thumb is to cut the candle to the standard length of around 10 inches.
Now, take the paper plate or pie tin and insert the tapered end of the candle through the hole. The plate or tin should be held up to your ear, with the candle protruding through the hole and the tapered end facing your ear canal. Ensure that the plate or tin is securely in place and will not slip or move during the candling process.
Finally, lie down on your side, ensuring that the ear to be treated is facing up. Ask a trusted helper to light the opposite, open end of the candle. As the candle burns, it should be carefully trimmed and kept open. The candle should be allowed to burn for around 15 minutes, or until it is a few inches from your head.
It is important to note that medical experts caution against ear candling as it can cause serious damage to the ear and may not effectively remove ear wax. There is a risk of burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations.
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Position the candle
Positioning the candle correctly is crucial when preparing for ear candling at home. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure safe and proper positioning:
Prepare the Setup:
Before positioning the candle, you will need to cut a small hole in a paper plate, pie tin, or foil plate. This will serve as a protective barrier to catch any hot wax or falling ashes, preventing burns. Ensure the hole is sized to fit the narrower end of the ear candle snugly. Place the plate or tin over your ear, with the hole directly above your ear canal.
Positioning the Candle:
Take the ear candle, which should be a hollow, cone-shaped candle made of fabric or cotton soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or a similar substance. Hold the candle upright, with the tapered end facing downwards, ready to be inserted into your ear. Gently insert the tapered end of the candle into your ear canal. Ensure that it fits comfortably and securely in the hole of the plate or tin. The candle should be positioned vertically, with the wider end pointing upwards, ready for lighting.
Adjusting Your Body Position:
Lie down on your side on a comfortable surface, such as a bed or couch. Ensure that the ear you are treating is facing upwards. You may tilt your head slightly to facilitate a comfortable position for the candle. It is essential to remain still during the candling process to avoid any accidents or misalignment of the candle.
Lighting the Candle:
Once the candle is securely positioned, you or your assistant can carefully light the upper end of the candle with a lighter or match. As the candle burns, it may need to be trimmed and maintained to ensure a consistent flame.
Duration and Extinguishing:
Allow the candle to burn for approximately 15 minutes. Keep a close eye on the flame and the candle's length to ensure it doesn't burn too close to your head. When the candle has burned down to a few inches from your head, it is time to extinguish it. Carefully blow out the flame, being mindful not to burn yourself or the surrounding area.
It is important to note that ear candling is a controversial practice, and medical professionals generally advise against it due to safety concerns and a lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. Always consult a healthcare professional before attempting ear candling at home, and be aware of the potential risks involved.
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Light the candle
Although medical experts caution against ear candling due to the risks of burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations, some people still choose to do it at home. If you are one of them, here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on lighting the candle for ear candling.
First, lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing up. You can place a paper plate or pie tin with a hole cut in it over your ear to catch any hot wax or ash. You can also ask someone to hold the plate or tin for you. Next, position the tapered end of the candle in your ear canal. Ensure that the candle is secure and will not fall out.
Now, you can light the candle. Get someone you trust to light the opposite end of the candle. As the candle burns, trim away any burnt material and keep the hole open. No wax should be allowed to drip into the ear or onto the skin around the ear. The candle should be burned for about 15 minutes, or until the stub is a few inches from your head.
Once the session is complete, carefully blow out the flame. Do not burn the candle all the way down to the end, as this may cause burns. After blowing out the flame, you can cut open the candle to inspect the inside materials. According to proponents of ear candling, you should see earwax and other debris inside, indicating that the procedure has worked. However, studies have shown that the contents are actually a blend of burned candle wax and fabric.
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Extinguish the flame
While medical experts caution against ear candling due to the risks of burns, ear infections, and eardrum perforation, some people still choose to practice it at home. If you are going to prepare an ear candle at home, it is important to be aware of how to do it as safely as possible.
Once you have prepared your ear candle and are ready to begin the candling procedure, you should lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing up. Place the tapered end of the candle in your ear canal and light the opposite end. Allow the candle to burn for about 15 minutes.
After this time, you must extinguish the flame. To do this, carefully blow out the flame. Do not attempt to extinguish the flame with water or by snapping the candle, as this could result in hot wax being spilled.
Once the flame has been extinguished, the candle can be removed from your ear. Wipe the outer ear clean with a cotton ball or pad.
It is important to note that ear candling can be dangerous, and you should never attempt it on yourself, even if you know how to use an ear candle. Always consult a medical professional before undertaking any procedure that may affect your health.
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