What You Need to Know About Ear Candling
Everyone loves a quick fix, particularly when the fix is also a DIY fix. Sink Leaking? Just search YouTube for the suitable plumbing tutorial, go get the suggested tools, and go to work! It may take you a little bit longer than it would take a plumber, but there’s no replacement for the gratification you feel, right?
At least, until your sink starts to leak again. That’s because sometimes the skill and experience of a professional can’t be successfully substituted for a quick fix.
It isn’t always easy to acknowledge that this is the situation. Ear candling or earwax candling is a perfect example of a DIY fix that individuals keep coming back to. It sounds… sort of gross, right? Let’s dive into just what earwax candling is and its dangers.
Ear candling – what is it?
Have you ever had a plugged-ear sort of feeling? Sometimes, your ear will fill with mucus when you’re sick. In other instances, it might happen because you have too much earwax in your ears (and surplus earwax can have a variety of causes). When this happens, you might experience some discomfort. You might even notice a temporary loss of hearing. It sort of stinks!
Some individuals, because of this, think that ear candling is just the cheap and novel solution they need. The idea is that a special hollow candle is put into your ear (non-burning end). Somehow, the combination of heat and the hollow design of the candle changes the air pressure inside of your ear canal, drawing the earwax or mucus out.
It should be immediately recognized that ear candling isn’t advocated by healthcare professionals. If you’re looking for evidence that ear candling actually works and draws out wax, you won’t uncover any. Almost every single hearing healthcare professional, as a result, will strongly recommend against using this strategy ever. Ear candling also has no effect on sinus pressure.
Just listen to the FDA! (What is the FDA advising about ear candling? Essentially, don’t do it!)
What are the disadvantages of ear candling?
Ear candling might feel safe, at first. It’s not as if it’s a giant flame. And you’re using “specialized” equipment. And individuals on the internet claimed it was safe! So how could it be possible for ear candling to be harmful?
Sadly, there’s no mistaking the fact that ear candling can be downright dangerous. What negative affects can ear candling have? Here are just some of the (possibly painful) ways that ear candling can impact your health:
- Your Eardrum may accidentally get pierced: There’s a danger that comes with pushing anything in your ears! Your hearing will suffer considerable harm and discomfort if you end up puncturing your eardrum. Often, this is something that must be addressed by a hearing professional.
- You can leave candle wax behind in your ear: The candle wax can get left behind in your ears even if you don’t get burned. This leftover wax can cause acute discomfort and, eventually, affect your hearing.
- The earwax can be crammed even further into your ear: Putting an ear candle into your ear can actually jam earwax further into the ear canal much like when you utilize a cotton swab. In other words, ear candling can make your earwax issue worse! Other complications, from hearing loss to ear infections can also be the result.
- You can cause severe burns to your ear: The fire and the melting ear candle wax are very hot. If the candle tips or the wax gets where it’s not supposed to, you’re looking at some considerable burning possibilities in your ear (and your ear is a sensitive spot).
- You could severely burn your face: There’s always a fairly good chance that if you’re holding a flame up near your ear, you could burn your face. 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 seriously burned.
So, is ear candling endorsed by hearing healthcare professionals? No… not even a little bit! Not only is ear candling not practical, it’s actually very dangerous!
A better way to manage earwax
Earwax is actually a good thing. It’s helpful for your ears in normal quantities. It’s only when there’s too much earwax (or it isn’t draining correctly) that you begin to have problems. So what should you do if utilizing a candle is a bad idea?
Consult a hearing specialist if you have a persistent earwax blockage. They might suggest some at-home solutions (such as using saline or mineral oil to soften the wax, allowing it to kind of slide out by itself). But in some instances, they will perform a cleaning for you.
We can get rid of the wax safely with specialized tools and training.
Generally, you should avoid techniques such as using cotton swabs and earwax candling. Unless your hearing specialist says differently, it’s a good strategy to never put anything smaller than your finger in your ear.
Give your ears some relief
Schedule a consultation with us if you have excess earwax that’s causing you some distress. We will be capable of helping you clear any stubborn earwax out of your ears and get you back to feeling normal.
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References
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/ear-candling-ineffective-and-risky
The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
