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Like other parts of your body, you might really want to clean your ears, but it usually isn’t necessary. Many people often use earbuds or cotton swabs to get rid of earwax. While it can feel oddly good, putting cotton swabs in your ear can actually create more problems than it solves. This practice can result in several issues, but many people don’t know about the possible risks. To emphasize this point, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford Universities, recently posted an informative video on Instagram, asking people to stop using Q-tips for removing earwax.
"If you check the box label, it clearly states do not insert into the ear canal. Still, a lot of people do it, and that’s where issues start," Dr. Sethi mentioned in the video. "When you use a Q-tip, you're not actually cleaning; you're pushing the wax further in, which can block the canal, cause pain, infections, or even tear the eardrum," he clarified. Putting earbuds in too deeply can harm the sensitive skin in your ear canal or even create a hole in the eardrum, leading to pain or loss of hearing. Furthermore, using non-sterile objects can bring bacteria into the ear, which might cause infections with symptoms like pain, swelling, or discharge. "In fact, research shows that over 70% of ear injuries treated in the ER were due to cotton tip applicators. I understand it feels good, but the quick relief can harm your hearing," Dr. Sethi explained. Regularly using earbuds can also cause irritation or swelling in the ear canal, which can be uncomfortable.
"Here’s the science behind it. Your ears clean themselves. Earwax serves an important purpose. It catches dust and bacteria, shields your ear canal, and naturally moves out on its own," the expert said. If you think you have too much earwax or face issues like hearing loss or pain, it’s best to visit a healthcare professional. They can safely remove the earwax using special tools. Never put cotton swabs, fingers, or other objects in your ear canal. Doing so can cause harm instead of providing a clean sensation.
