WARNING: Not very pleasant images of the inner ear can be found here.
Posted by Dav (Member # 8217) on :
Never use Q-tips in your ear! Those things are scary...
You can buy ear drops at most pharmacies. I find those work ok when I get ear trouble. "Murine" is the name of a common brand that seems to work, but I bet if there's a cheap store brand that should work just as well.
If it's bad, you may need to flush out the wax with lukewarm water after softening it up with the drops. There are rubber bulb "syringes" just for that purpose, which you can also buy at the pharmacy usually right in the same aisle as the drops.
In the worst cases, I've had to go to the doctor to clear my ears out. But it's been years since I've had it that bad.
Hopefully yours will be fixed with just some drops.
Posted by pfresh85 (Member # 8085) on :
If you have build up, I'd suggest the rubber bulb syringe with warm water thing. I had that done once when I was a really little kid because I had a build up. It's a sort of odd feeling when you have the water in there breaking up the wax and then you have it all trickling out later on.
Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :
My dad would use a rubber bulb syringe on my sister whenever she had a lot of wax when we were younger. Um and fingers kinda work.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I find that keys, specifically car keys, are the best available tool for earwax removal.
For extra points, perform the removal in a restaurant.
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
*puke smiley*
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
uw, is this for you or your child?
Posted by Hamson (Member # 7808) on :
Remind me why we don't use q-tips again?
Posted by unicornwhisperer (Member # 294) on :
It's for me.. I don't know if my 2 year old has lots of ear wax. Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
I don't know what it's called. However, it requires making a cone out of paper, sticking the small end in your ear, and burning something on the other end. It creates a vacuum and sucks a good chunk of wax out. My sister had it done, and it worked incredibly well. Unfortunately, I don't remember all the specifics on it. I've heard, too, that you shouldn't do it too much or you'll start to become dependent on it.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
'kay. I was going to have all sorts of extra sympathy for you if it was your 2 year old. My little daughter is an earwax factory, stockpiling for the winter. I've had to help hold her down while nurses irrigate her ear...it's a singularly unpleasant experience for all involved.
In any case, go to the pharmacy and ask which ear wax loosener they recommend. Then use lots of nice warm water to flush it out. They'll be able to direct you how.
Posted by unicornwhisperer (Member # 294) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: Or a mild water/vinegar soak to loosen it, then flush.
Vinegar? I've never heard of that. Does it really work? If it does ..Cool.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
really use the murine or whatever brand earwax stuff, it hurts less than vinegar(at least for me).
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Emily has problems with a lot of wax buildup in the ear, we flush with warm water and the bulb syringe.
The thing to remember is it can take a long time. You'll flush the ear many times before you get anything out, usually. Then, it will all start coming out. So be patient.
But personally, I think the water flushing is safe and effective, just takes some time.
Posted by Jacob Porter (Member # 31) on :
Da_Goat, that's called candling.
I tried it once, and it was kind of fun. This website says that it doesn't work though.
If you want to try it, you can probably find ear candles at your local touchy-feely health food store.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Wait a minute. Do I have this straight? You stick a wick in your ear wax, and light it like a candle sticking out of the side of your head?
And this is better and safer than Q-Tips?
Uh, no thank you.
Posted by divaesefani (Member # 3763) on :
Ear Candling was actually developed in ancient Egypt, if I'm not mistaken. Linen strips are dipped in paraffin wax and then rolled into a tube that tapers just at one end. You stick that smaller end in the ear and light the other end. The fire at the top draws out the wax from the ear.
I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself because #1, you could easily light your hair on fire, and #2, it's dangerous to pull out too much of the wax. Your ears need some wax! Check local spas or maybe accupuncturists or chiropractors. Someone should be able to do it for you.
It's not a "quack," by the way. Cut open the end of the candle when you're done and you'll see all that nasty wax inside! I've shown way to many people their wax at the end of a treatment!
For preventative maintenance on your ears, eat lots of apples! The chewing helps move the wax out of your ear.
(I love going to the doc to get my ears irrigated! It feel so cool!)
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Ear candling sounds like fun to me.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Kojabu, all I can say is that you have a warped and bizarre idea of fun. But, if you like, sometime we can get together, and I'll set your head on fire. For fun.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Tante: I melted some stuff with a candle flame when I was younger. Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by kojabu: I melted some stuff with a candle flame when I was younger.
Yeah, but, stuff from inside your head? Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Well, no. Ear coning sounds fun too though.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yes, there will be wax inside the ear cone when you're done. It won't be from inside your ear, though. If you don't believe me, try lighting one in an empty glass jar. What accumulates is exactly the same as what you get when you use an ear instead.
Many people find the warmth pleasant, but contrary to the claims, ear candling doesn't actually DO anything. Except occasionally causing uncomfortable burns or eardrum perforation . . .
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Aw man, that takes all the fun out of it.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
So, Ko, you're saying that I can't set your head on fire?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Ads at bottom:
"Buy Earwax Remover Here" "Wholesale Ear Candles"
I know that second one means cones, but it cracks me up; I have this picture of candles shaped like ears.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
No Tante, alas, you can't. We can set other things on fire though.
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
peekaboo![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
I melted some stuff with a candle flame when I was younger. ![[Evil]](graemlins/evil.gif)
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