What is a Cotton Bud?
A cotton bud is a small stick with a ball of cotton wool at each end, which people use, for example, for applying make-up. It is often used to remove wax from the ears.
Cerumen a.k.a. ear wax is an orange or yellowish waxy substance produced by special cells in the skin of the outer ear canal. It is often perceived as dirt as it looks irritating when it becomes visible outside the entrance of the ear.
The cerumen is actually beneficial to health as it;
• Assists in cleaning the ears.
• Provides lubrication to prevent the skin in the ear from drying out.
• Protects the ear against bacteria, fungi, dusts, insects and water.
• Assists in cleaning the ears.
• Provides lubrication to prevent the skin in the ear from drying out.
• Protects the ear against bacteria, fungi, dusts, insects and water.
Normally, the movement of the jaw during speaking and eating helps to push earwax along the ear canal to its entrance. Here the wax dries into small pieces or flakes, which are shed. Usually, the wax accumulates a bit, dries out, and then comes out of the ear, carrying dirt and dust with it or it may slowly migrate to the outside where it can be wiped of using a clean soft material. The ear canal itself should be left alone.
Reasons you should not use cotton bud
• It is not safe; Although the cotton bud has some level of advantages over sharp objects that could rupture the eardrum such as biro covers, feathers, nails, keys, fingers etc., it is not safe. Attempts to clean the ear with cotton bud merely push the wax deeper into the ear canal, causing a blockage.
• Substandard Packaging; The problem with cotton bud is that it is usually not made according to recommended standards. In other words, it is substandard and in the process of using it to clean the canal, the cotton drops into the ear, thereby creating problems.
• Exposure; The cotton bud is also exposed to all kinds of dirt, weather and unhygienic situations that could cause infections to the ear. As a result, it is advised that it should be stopped.
• Substandard Packaging; The problem with cotton bud is that it is usually not made according to recommended standards. In other words, it is substandard and in the process of using it to clean the canal, the cotton drops into the ear, thereby creating problems.
• Exposure; The cotton bud is also exposed to all kinds of dirt, weather and unhygienic situations that could cause infections to the ear. As a result, it is advised that it should be stopped.
New method of ear-cleaning
• To clean the ear, experts say, wash the external ear with a cloth, but do not insert anything into the ear canal.
• Irrigation or ear syringing is commonly used for cleaning and can be performed by a physician or at home using a commercially available irrigation kit. Common solutions used for syringing include water and saline, which should be warmed to body temperature to prevent dizziness.
• Manual removal of earwax is also effective. This is most often performed by an otolaryngologist using suction or special miniature instruments, and a microscope to magnify the ear canal. Manual removal is preferred if your ear canal is narrow, the eardrum has a perforation or tube, other methods have failed, or if you have skin problems affecting the ear canal, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
• To clean the ear, experts say, wash the external ear with a cloth, but do not insert anything into the ear canal.
• Irrigation or ear syringing is commonly used for cleaning and can be performed by a physician or at home using a commercially available irrigation kit. Common solutions used for syringing include water and saline, which should be warmed to body temperature to prevent dizziness.
• Manual removal of earwax is also effective. This is most often performed by an otolaryngologist using suction or special miniature instruments, and a microscope to magnify the ear canal. Manual removal is preferred if your ear canal is narrow, the eardrum has a perforation or tube, other methods have failed, or if you have skin problems affecting the ear canal, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
When to see a doctor
• If wax has accumulated so much that it blocks the ear canal (and hearing), a physician may prescribe eardrops designed to soften wax, or he/she may wash or vacuum it out. Occasionally, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) may need to remove the wax under microscopic visualization.
• If there is a possibility of a perforation in the eardrum, consult a physician prior to trying any over-the-counter remedies. Putting eardrops or other products in the ear with the presence of an eardrum perforation may cause pain or an infection. Certainly, washing water through such a hole could start an infection.
• If there is a possibility of a perforation in the eardrum, consult a physician prior to trying any over-the-counter remedies. Putting eardrops or other products in the ear with the presence of an eardrum perforation may cause pain or an infection. Certainly, washing water through such a hole could start an infection.
Preventing excessive earwax
There are no proven ways to prevent cerumen impaction, but not inserting cotton-tipped swabs or other objects in the ear canal is strongly advised. If you are prone to repeated wax impaction or use hearing aids, consider seeing your doctor every 6 to 12 months for a check-up and routine preventive cleaning.
There are no proven ways to prevent cerumen impaction, but not inserting cotton-tipped swabs or other objects in the ear canal is strongly advised. If you are prone to repeated wax impaction or use hearing aids, consider seeing your doctor every 6 to 12 months for a check-up and routine preventive cleaning.
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