Getting rid of earwax...

Nordictat2

I was wondering what "stuff" people use to rid earwax?

I have used some kinda spray a few yrs back that was like a foam you spray in your ear and it losens the wax et.c but I honestly can't remember what it's called ANyone know what I'm talking about?

Reason why I'm asking is my ENT doc. is on holiday for the next few weeks and my ears are feeling a bit yucky inside and think they need to be cleaned out of the wax build-up. I'm going on holiday myself in a few weeks and he isn't back before I leave so...want to try something myself.

ali-t

This is not medical advice or money saving as it costs more than a box of cotton buds but I swear by ear candling. It gets rid of the sticky feeling and can help with hayfever too. I have never done it myself (that would be true moneysaving having burning bits in my ears with no-one else monitoring it) so always get a therapist to do it for me but it is great.

marrowgirl

ENT generally suggest olive or almond oil.

There was a study a few years ago to see what softened ear wax best and top came out distilled water. Next was sodium bicarb (can be bought from a chemist but can be harsh on the skin, and can't be used with people who are prone to otitis externa/excema), next was olive oil the other products fell behind.
There are loads available to buy, otex, earex etc. The best I found is Audiclean which is the one I get for my Dad as it is sea water based one. So my advice is olive oil first (cheapest!) then if that doesn't work try Audiclean. Do not use anything containing Hydrogen peroxide -these are the ones that fizz- because I have seen a few perforations from people who have used them.

I personally haven't seen any good evidence that ear candles are effective (no offence to ali-t) -the temporary relief is due to the change in temperature and therefore pressure in the ear and the stuff that comes out is candle wax. However, I'm not against anything that people find works for them.

marrowgirl

Oh and this website has good advice...
www.deafnessresearch.org.uk/Earwax+1887.twl

I find the procedure for putting in the oil/drops helps probably more than the actual stuff you use. If you massage the tragus -the boney bit of skin near the entrance to the canal this helps the drops to get to where they are needed.

P.S I'm assuming you have an intact ear drum and no perforations or anything like that because then you shouldn't put anything in your ear they should be suctioned.

Hope you have a good holiday! (I'll shut up now!:o)

strawberryberry

Use drops to soften wax. My brother in law told me of a kit him and his mate sed when they were in america it was a diy syringe similar to that the nurses used in uk. Worked fine. Last week my other half comlained of earache went to dr they checkd him out and booked him in for de-waxing.when he went back the nurse said we dont do that now here you will have to rebook in to the health centre and that was another weeks wait.
I remembered BIL tale ,disinfected sink, used warm sterilised water, unused syringe . flushd out ears took about 15 goes.
then:eek: all came out .Wont go into details - yuk ! but did the trick and hes been fine since.
So glad to hear clearly every word i say
Just depends how much pai you r in and if you think you know what u r doing - if u have had them syringd bfore then u know what to expect without any fear .
.

Nordictat2

Thanks everyone for the info. Grateful for all the tips