Ear Candling to Remove Earwax
Is it safe to remove earwax this way?
Ear candling is a method of removing earwax (cerumen) that involves inserting a hollow, wax-covered candle into the ear. Proponents argue that by lighting one end of the cone, a suction is created that draws earwax out of the ear.
What Is Ear Candling and How Does It Work?
Ear candles (also known as ear cones or auricular candles) are hollow tubes measuring about 10 inches in length. They’re made of cotton or linen that’s been tightly wound into a cone shape, soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or soy wax, and hardened.
You lie down on one side with the ear to be handled facing up during an ear candling session. The ear candle’s pointed end is normally placed into a hole in a paper or foil plate (to trap any leaking wax) before being inserted into the external ear canal.
The candle is lit from the opposite end and carried while the practitioner trims the burnt material away from the flame.
The procedure is finished after a few minutes (or when the candle stub is several inches from your head), and the ear candle stub is removed and extinguished. A cotton ball or pad is used to clean the outer ear.
Is Ear Candling Effective?
The hollow cones, according to proponents of ear candling, generate a low-level vacuum, softening and drawing earwax and impurities out of the ear and into the hollow candles.
A black, waxy material is often left in the hollow candle stub after the operation. The waxy material that remains after ear candling is said by proponents to be earwax and other debris, but opponents argue that it is a byproduct of the candles.
The hollow cones, according to proponents of ear candling, generate a low-level vacuum, softening and drawing earwax and impurities out of the ear and into the hollow candles. 2
A black, waxy material is often left in the hollow candle stub after the operation. The waxy material that remains after ear candling is said by proponents to be earwax and other debris, but opponents argue that it is a byproduct of the candles.
Ear candling advocates believe that it can help with sinusitis, sinus pain, tinnitus, vertigo, and otitis media. 2 The eardrum, on the other hand, separates the external ear canal from the middle ear, sinuses, Eustachian drain, and nasal passages (tympanic membrane).
Other companies say that the smoke from burning candles dries out the ear canal and encourages the body’s normal excretion of wax, dead cells, pollen, mold, parasites, and other debris. These arguments are unsupported by proof.
Side Effects and Safety
Even when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, using lit candles in close proximity to a person’s face is dangerous and poses a “high risk of potentially serious skin/hair burns and middle ear injury,” according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).3
The following are some of the serious possible risks associated with ear candling:
— The hot wax causes burns and damage to the ear, skin, and hair.
– Wax dripping into the ear canal causes obstruction or blockage of the ear canal.
– Wax buildup in the ear
– Eardrum perforation
– Hearing loss is a common problem.
– External otitis
The most common side effect of ear candling is a burn, which can be caused by the candle flame or the hot wax.
A 50-year-old woman had bits of candle wax in her ear, a perforation in her eardrum, and hearing loss during an ear candling session, according to a case study published in Canadian Family Physician.
When trying to extract the candle, the practitioner poured molten candle wax into her ear.
The authors of the case study concluded that ear candling “can do more harm than good, and we advise GPs to avoid it.”
People that have a perforated tympanic membrane should avoid ear candling. Injuries and complications are more common in children and infants.
To trap dripping wax, some practitioners use a paper or foil tray. Some people often use a towel or cloth to cover themselves from any leaking wax. There are, however, significant risks even with these precautions. There’s also the chance of a fire starting with lit ear candles.
Is Ear Candling Worth Trying?
There is no scientific evidence that ear candling is safe, and it can cause burns and damage to the ears and skin.
“Clinicians do not prescribe ear candling for treating or preventing cerumen impaction,” according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology recommendations, which are focused on fact.
Earwax serves a defensive function. It lubricates and cleans the ear canal, as well as protecting it from bacteria and fungus. Earwax is normally removed by the ear’s self-cleaning mechanism. While most people may not need additional cleaning, a malfunction in this self-cleaning device will result in cerumen impaction.
If you develop an earwax blockage or experience symptoms (such as hearing loss or dizziness), you can consult your doctor to evaluate your symptoms and determine the best way to remove the earwax safely.
