We’ll go ahead and get it right out there: Q-tips are very, very bad for your ears. Under no circumstance should you insert a Q-tip or cotton swab into your ear canal. This may be a tough pill to swallow if, like many Americans, a Q-tip is the first or second thing you reach for after a shower.
Don’t feel bad: you’re not alone, the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) reported more than 12 million people each year seek medical treatment for impacted earwax.
So, while you’re not alone, you’re definitely doing yourself more harm than good.
Earlier this year, earwax made quite a splash on the news when the AAO-HNS strongly and succinctly advised against DIY earwax cleaning: “Nothing smaller than your elbow,” they said. While some may find this news truly disappointing, the evidence is pretty clear: Q-tips+ears is not a good combination.
The new Clinical Practice Guideline: Cerumen Impaction (that’s old-fashioned earwax to most of us) is endorsed or supported by:
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American Geriatric Society (AGS)
American Neurotology Society (ANS)
American Otological Society (AOS)
American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology (ASGO)
American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO)
Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses (SOHN)
American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
Besides, like an apple a day, earwax is good for the body. Believe it or not, the purpose of earwax is to keep your ear canal clean! So when you’re swabbing it out with a non-sterile cotton swab, you’re actually making your ear dirtier! Not only does earwax prevent dust, dirt, and grit from getting to your eardrum, but once it dries and it’s cleaning powers have evaporated, the very act of chewing or chatting helps expel the dry, expended cerumen from the opening of your ear.
If that doesn’t make you feel any better and you’re still reeling from these findings, read on to find out why you should not poke around for earwax with your trusty cotton swab.
Why are Q-tips Bad for My Ears? Why?!
It’s hard to believe that something that feels so good can be so wrong. The evidence is pretty convincing, though.
Q-tips and Cotton Swabs Actually Make Your Ears Dirtier
As we mentioned earlier, if you’re addicted to swabbing, you’re probably not doing your ears any favors. The tiny tip is actually pushing earwax further into your ear canal, making it harder for your body to work its self-cleaning magic. If you push the earwax too far into your ear, it’ll eventually hit a place where it can’t clean itself.
Trapped Earwax May Lead to Fungal Infections
If earwax is trapped too deep and too long, then you may be susceptible to fungus, bacteria, and viruses which may lead to painful and potentially harmful infections.
Cleaning Your Ears With Cotton Swabs Can Cause Tinnitus
That awful ringing in your ears that sounds like rain? Or, if not rain, a high-pitched whistle that only your dog should be able to hear? That’s tinnitus. When you push earwax against your eardrum? That’s what causes tinnitus. If you have chronic tinnitus or tinnitus the recurs frequently, you should schedule a visit to an ear, nose, and throat specialist as it may lead to long-term hearing loss.
Earwax May Cause Dizziness
Your ears are amazing instruments. They not only allow you to hear the wonderful world around you, but they also keep you upright! Medical News Today reports that “Vertigo can be a sign of excessive earwax accumulation. An excessive accumulation of earwax, especially when it is impacted, can lead to a blocked ear.”
Really, really Impacted Ear Wax May Lead to Hearing Loss
If you push your earwax too far into the ear canal, it may result in permanent hearing damage, dislocate delicate hearing bones, or may lead to a ruptured eardrum.
It’s an Addiction (of Sorts)
If the idea of swearing off Q-tips ignites a “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop!” reaction, you may want to think again. Ronald C. Cate, M.D. of OAT explains that “If you frequently ‘clean’ your ears with a cotton swab, you’re probably irritating delicate skin, causing it to itch. The more you itch, the more histamines your skin produces, and the more you feel the need to scratch. To make matters even worse, because your earwax is a natural lubricant, you’re only making your skin drier and itchier when you remove it. It’s an endless, unhealthy, and unproductive cycle.”
If you suffer from excessive earwax production or suspect you may have impacted earwax, contact OAT. We can help.
