mmalabanan
Are you one of those people who find satisfaction in putting small things, like Q-tips, into their ears?
Bad news is you shouldn’t be doing it. In fact, the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) has warned against sticking “anything smaller than your elbow” inside your ears.
Earwax, which actually helps keep your ears clean by trapping dirt, dust and other foreign bodies, isn’t actually dirty. There’s no need for you to worry about earwax accumulating inside your ears as new wax will likely push out old wax. Sticking small stuff like Q-tips, hair pins and paper clips inside your ears will only do more harm than good. These stuff will only push earwax deeper inside, block your ear canal and eventually damage your ears.
“When people stick Q-tips or other foreign objects into their ears, they can traumatize the skin, allowing bacteria to get in and cause painful infections,” Seth Schwartz explained.
Moreover, experts have also discouraged the practice of ear candling, a technique which uses a hollow candle to apparently pull earwax out of the ear. According to them, the alternative medicine practice doesn’t really work and may even damage your ear canal or eardrum.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like ear pain, ringing ears, bleeding or having hearing problems, go see a doctor instead of seeking refuge in Q-tips.
