HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN EAR SKIN
Dr Gold adds, “The wax can adhere to the skin cells and peroxide helps break the skin down, making it easier and softer to remove.
“Home remedies for cleaning ear wax can include placing drops of hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, or baby oil to help soften or loosen the wax, rinsing or cleaning the outside of the ear with a washcloth, or gently irrigating with warm water.” Dr Gold says you only need three or four drops of peroxide to get the job done, noting high concentration of peroxide could potentially cause pain, burning, or stinging.Īs for how it works so well, Dr Bhattacharyya says that the hydrogen peroxide interacts with the ear wax itself and actually does “bubble into it,” helping to dissolve it. “I never recommend people trying to dig wax out with tools or utensils,” says Dr Gold. Image: Courtesy Karolina Grabowska/Pexelsįor starters, it’s a better solution than using a cotton swab to dig wax out, which can potentially damage the delicate ear canal and push wax even further in, fully defeating the purpose of sticking one of those bad boys in there in the first place. Now for the question on everyone’s mind: Is it safe and effective to fish out that OTC bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet and start squeezing its contents into your ear? Neil Bhattacharyya, MD, an ENT at Mass Eye and Ear, says that it’s “relatively safe” - with some important caveats. It’s a clear, colourless liquid that’s generally safe, which is likely why you’ll often see it touted as a DIY cure-all for all kinds of things, including ear wax. “One of the functions is to help remove dead skin from the ear.” The medical term for ear wax is cerumen, and it also serves a protective purpose, preventing bacteria, viruses, and fungi from coming in to threaten the ear canal, as Sayani Niyogi, DO, a fellow ENT doctor with the same practice, previously told Shape.Īnd what is hydrogen peroxide? Jamie Alan, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, previously told Shape that it’s a chemical compound made up mostly of water and one “extra” hydrogen atom, which allows it to serve as a sanitising agent that can sterilise wounds or even clean surfaces in your home. Some people experience side effects of using hydrogen peroxide in the ears, including:ĭo not use hydrogen peroxide in your ear if you suspect you have an ear infection or damaged eardrum.įor more information about impacted earwax or to schedule an appointment for earwax removal, call the experts at Charleston ENT & Allergy today.First thing’s first, what is ear wax? Well, it’s an oily substance produced by glands in the ear canal, says Steven Gold MD, an ENT doctor with ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP. Excess peroxide and earwax can be flushed out with warm water in the shower or using a bulb syringe. In general, you should use five to ten drops in each ear no more than twice per day for four days. Make sure to read the directions on the package carefully, and listen to your doctor’s instructions. Anything over 10% may cause irritation such as blistering and burning. Look for concentrations under 10% most OTC hydrogen peroxide solutions contain 3% hydrogen peroxide, and most OTC ear drops contain 6.5% carbamide peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide-based eardrops have a good safety profile when used properly.
Carbamide peroxide, a common form of hydrogen peroxide ear drops, releases oxygen into the earwax, causing it to bubble and soften. Over-the-counter (OTC) eardrops may contain various types of hydrogen peroxide and other substances that work together to soften earwax. Impacted earwax should ideally only be removed by a hearing professional. Signs of impaction include earache, itchiness, drainage, infection, dizziness, tinnitus and hearing loss. People who use hearing aids, frequently wear earbuds, swab their ears with Q-tips or have a structural abnormality of the ear canal are especially prone to impacted earwax, but it can happen to anybody. In some cases, earwax can become impacted. Typically, earwax is naturally pushed out of the ear thanks to natural jaw movements when talking and eating. Earwax keeps the ear canal lubricated to prevent dryness and irritation, and it also traps dirt and debris to prevent infection.
Earwax is a substance produced by the ceruminous glands in the ear canal that has several important jobs.
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