Do you have a lot of ear wax? Here’s 3 safe and easy ways remove ear wax buildup
Earwax is “a self-cleaning agent with protective, lubricating and antibacterial properties”. In other words, earwax is not only healthy and natural, but it also serves a necessary and important bodily function. The earwax that lands on the end of your cotton swab is old earwax that has dried, flaked and failed to fall out.
This is because these instruments can push the wax deeper into the ear. This can lead to hearing loss, ringing in the ears, bad odor and painful or itchy ears. Here are some of our favorite home remedies that don’t involve a cotton swab:
1. You can use cerumenolytic solutions (solutions to dissolve earwax) in the ear canal.
These solutions include:
- Mineral oil.
- Baby oil.
- Glycerin.
- Hydrogen peroxide or peroxide-based ear drops (such as Debrox®).
- Saline solution.
- Warm water
- Baking soda
With these solutions, you put a few drops in the affected ear with an eyedropper and lie on your opposite side so the solution can drip into your affected ear. You can also soak a cotton ball, place it on the affected ear and let the solution drip into the ear.
2. Salmon
A deficiency of fatty acids may be the cause of excessive earwax buildup. If you think you have an omega-3 deficiency, increase your intake of salmon, flaxseed and Brussels sprouts.
3. Acupressure
Pressure on the gallbladder pressure point 20, located in two small depressions at the back of the skull between the ear and the spine, can relieve ear congestion. For best results, use your thumbs, as shown in the image below, to massage the pressure point in a circular motion for two full minutes.
Source:mayoclinic.org, home.remedydaily.com
