Chloe Adams
Ear candling, also known as ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a form of alternative medicine that involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal. The practice has gained popularity as a natural remedy for various ear-related issues, including earwax buildup, congestion, and even tinnitus. However, despite its popularity, the efficacy and safety of ear candling have been widely debated, with medical professionals arguing that there is a lack of scientific evidence to support its effectiveness and concerns about the potential risks, including burns and injuries. While proponents of ear candling believe that it creates a vacuum to draw out impurities and earwax, critics argue that it is ineffective in removing earwax and may even lead to ear canal obstruction.
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What You'll Learn
What are candle ears?
Ear candles, also known as ear cones, are hollow tubes made of wax-covered fabric. They are typically about 10 inches long and cone-shaped. The pointed end of the candle is placed in the ear, while the other end is lit. This practice is called ear candling or ear coning.
During an ear candling session, the subject lies on their side with the ear to be treated facing up. The candle is put through a hole in a paper or foil plate to catch any wax drippings. The candle is then inserted into the ear canal and lit. As the candle burns, it is trimmed and kept open. The session lasts for about 15 minutes, after which the flame is carefully blown out.
Proponents of ear candling claim that it removes earwax, bacteria, and other debris from the ear canal. They believe that the lit candle creates enough warmth to generate suction, pulling impurities and wax out. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, medical research has shown that ear candling is both dangerous and ineffective. It can cause burns, puncture the eardrum, and lead to hearing loss.
Due to the risks associated with ear candling, major health authorities such as the FDA have warned against its use since 2010. There are safer alternatives for earwax removal, such as over-the-counter ear drops or professional cleaning by a doctor.
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Are they safe?
Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a pseudoscientific alternative medicine practice claiming to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the pointed end into the ear canal.
Ear candling is not a safe method for removing earwax or other impurities from the ear. There is no scientific evidence that ear candling is effective, and doctors do not recommend this practice as it is considered dangerous and can cause serious injuries. The hot wax and ash may burn your face or ears, and ear candling could make earwax buildup worse. There are also reports of punctured eardrums after the candling process. The open flame and melting wax from an ear candle pose a number of health risks. The FDA has been warning people to steer clear of the practice and related products since early 2010. In a 2016 study, a 16-year-old boy who practiced ear candling for allergies started to experience pain in his ear and reduced hearing. A physician had to remove multiple pieces of candle debris from his eardrum.
The safest way to remove earwax is to see your doctor for a professional cleaning. You can also try home remedies for earwax removal, such as over-the-counter ear drops, or olive oil.
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How do you use them?
Ear candles are hollow tubes made of cotton or linen that are tightly wound into a cone shape. They are about 10 inches long and are soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or soy wax.
Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a pseudoscientific alternative medicine practice. It involves lighting one end of the candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. The subject lies on their side with the treated ear facing upwards and the candle vertical. The candle is usually stuck through a paper or foil plate with a hole in it to protect against hot wax or ash falling on the subject.
Despite its popularity, there is no scientific evidence that ear candling is effective in removing earwax or treating any condition. In fact, it is associated with considerable risk, including burns, a perforated eardrum, and hearing loss. It can also cause earwax buildup and leave candle residue in the ear canal.
If you are experiencing discomfort due to wax buildup, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider. They can recommend safe at-home treatments or perform a professional ear cleaning using specialised tools.
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Do they remove earwax?
Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a form of alternative medicine that involves placing a lit, hollow candle made of wax-covered fabric into the ear. The heat from the candle is supposed to create a vacuum that pulls up and removes ear wax. However, there is no scientific evidence that ear candling effectively removes ear wax. In fact, medical experts do not recommend this practice because it is considered dangerous and can cause serious injuries, such as burning the skin, hair catching on fire, and wax clogging the ear canal or eardrum. There are also reports of punctured eardrums after the candling process. Instead, it is advised to see a doctor for professional ear wax removal or try home remedies such as over-the-counter ear drops, olive oil, or hydrogen peroxide.
The belief that ear candling removes ear wax stems from the idea that the heat from the candle creates a vacuum or suction force that pulls out the wax. However, studies have found that there is no suction force created during the candling procedure, and the temperatures produced are too low to melt the wax effectively. Additionally, the debris inside burned candles, which is claimed to be the removed ear wax and impurities, can also appear even if the candle has not been near an ear canal.
While ear candling may seem like a peaceful and natural way to remove ear wax, it is important to understand that the ear is a delicate organ with a self-cleaning system that naturally removes ear wax. Most people do not need additional cleaning, and attempting to remove ear wax with ear candling can do more harm than good.
Furthermore, ear candling has been associated with various risks and side effects, including burns, injuries, and increased ear wax buildup. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved ear candles for any medical use and has issued warnings about their potential dangers. In Canada, the sale of ear candles is illegal due to the lack of scientific proof of their safety and effectiveness.
Overall, while ear candling may be touted as a way to remove ear wax, there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness or safety. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional or ENT doctor for safe and effective ear wax removal methods.
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Are there any alternatives?
Ear candling is not a safe method for removing earwax or other impurities from the ear. It is associated with serious health risks, including burns, a perforated eardrum, and hearing loss. The FDA has warned people to avoid using ear candles and has been warning people since 2010. The open flame and melting wax from an ear candle pose a number of health risks.
There are several safe alternatives to ear candling for removing earwax. Over-the-counter ear drops can be used to soften and dislodge earwax. These solutions may contain hydrogen peroxide or olive oil. Another option is to use a few drops of water to irrigate the ear canal. This can be done by letting the water drain into the wax for a few minutes and then turning onto your side to let the liquid and wax slide out.
Healthcare providers can also use special instruments to remove earwax, such as little scoopers or vacuums. Doctors can also use water to irrigate the ear canal. These techniques are safe and acceptable for removing earwax.
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