Everybody loves a quick fix, particularly when the fix is also a DIY fix. Sink Leaking? Just search YouTube for the suitable plumbing tutorial, buy the suggested tools, and go to work! A plumber would probably be a little more efficient but then you wouldn’t get that feeling of self-satisfaction that comes with doing it by yourself.
But that feeling only lasts until your sink starts leaking again. That’s because sometimes the skill and experience of a professional can’t be successfully substituted for a quick fix.
Sometimes, that’s hard to admit. And, in part, that’s why people will frequently continue to look for “easy” DIY-fixes for complex problems, which may help explain the popularity of something known as ear candling (or, in some cases, earwax candling). It doesn’t really sound very appealing, does it? So, exactly what is ear candling, and how is it maybe not the best thing ever? Well, let’s get into that.
Ear candling – what is it?
Have you ever had a plugged-ear sort of feeling? Occasionally, it occurs when you’re ill and your ear fills with mucus. An excessive amount of earwax can also trigger this feeling and that can happen for a variety of reasons. This can sometimes be really uncomfortable. Your hearing might even temporarily go. It’s no fun!
Some individuals, because of this, think that ear candling is just the cheap and novel fix they need. The concept is to place the non-burning end of a special, hollow candle in your ear. Individuals imagine that the wax and mucus are pulled out by the mix of heat and pressure changes in your ear.
Healthcare professionals definitely don’t recommend this approach. If you’re looking for proof that ear candling really works and draws out wax, you won’t uncover any. Almost every single hearing healthcare professional, as a result, will emphatically recommend against utilizing this strategy ever. (Does ear candling help with sinus pressure? Also no.)
Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA advising about ear candling? In essence, don’t do it!)
The drawbacks of ear candling
Ear candling might feel safe, initially. It’s a really small flame. And the “equipment” is specialized. And people on the internet claimed it was safe! So how could it be possible for ear candling to be dangerous?
Ear candling can, unfortunately, be quite hazardous and there’s no way to get around that! What are the side effects of ear candling? Ear candling can impact your health in the following negative and possibly painful ways:
- You can severely burn your ear: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are very hot. If the tip of the candle or the wax goes into where it’s not supposed to, you’re facing some considerable burning possibilities in your ear (and your ear is a sensitive spot).
- Your ear can have residual candle wax left behind: Even if you don’t get burned, residual ear candle wax can go into your ears. Your hearing can become impacted from this, not to mention the uncomfortableness.
- Your Eardrum could accidentally get pierced: Whenever you insert something into your ear, you put yourself in danger! Your hearing will suffer considerable damage and discomfort if you end up puncturing your eardrum. If this occurs it’s very likely that you will have to get professional assistance.
- Your face could be severely burned: Look, whenever you’re positioning candles that close to your face, there’s a strong possibility you’ll get a burn. Accidents will happen! It’s all too easy for candle wax to trickle into your eyes or for your hair to catch on fire or for your face to become severely burned.
- The earwax can be crammed even further into your ear: In much the same way that sticking a Q-tip in your ear can smoosh the earwax into an ever-more-dense blockage, so too can inserting a specialized candle in your ear. Your earwax problem can be worsened by earwax candling, in other words! This can trigger all sorts of other complications from hearing loss to serious infections.
So, do hearing healthcare professionals recommend ear candling? No… not even a little bit! Ultimately, earwax candling isn’t simply ineffective, it’s utterly dangerous.
A better way to Tackle earwax
Earwax is actually a good thing. In normal amounts, it’s good for your ears. Problems begin when there’s too much earwax or when it won’t drain effectively. So… if you can’t make use of a burning candle to get rid of earwax, what should you do?
If you have an earwax blockage, the best thing to do might be consulting with a hearing specialist. Normally, they will recommend that you try some at-home solutions, like a saline wash, to loosen the wax allowing it to drip out by itself. But in some instances, they will perform a cleaning for you.
Hearing specialists have special tools and training that allow them to clean out wax without damaging your ear.
It’s best to avoid things like ear candles and cotton swabs. Nothing smaller than your finger should be put into your ears unless directed by your hearing specialist or doctor.
How to help your ears feel better
Schedule a consultation with us if you have accumulated earwax that’s causing you some discomfort. We can help you get back to normal by clearing away any stubborn earwax.
References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky