Ear wax removal

[rocketboy2]

14 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

@Prubangboy,  3% Hydrogen Peroxide is the stuff that's recommended. I've noticed that some of the OTC bottles are 6% which may account for your problem. If I do find that I have the latter I dilute it 50/50 with saline water.

 

 

Never seen 6% in 7/11.

But yes, should check, it's 3%.

 

 

 

 

 

[Robert Paulson]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Nope, never stuck a bud in or anything, just an accumulation over time

Keeping water completely out of your ears is completely unnatural condition. Doctors don’t know what the hell they are talking about half the time. They know generalizations, which may end up working. Who knows maybe no water is actually bad for you. In fact I’d guess that no water ever in an ear is in fact bad. But everyone has to do what makes sense to them. 

[Sheryl]

11 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

Keeping water completely out of your ears is completely unnatural condition. Doctors don’t know what the hell they are talking about half the time. They know generalizations, which may end up working. Who knows maybe no water is actually bad for you. In fact I’d guess that no water ever in an ear is in fact bad. But everyone has to do what makes sense to them. 

Actually swimming (with head under water - no ear plugs) is one of the common causes of ear wax impaction.  Pushes wax deeper in.

[Lorry]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Actually swimming (with head under water - no ear plugs) is one of the common causes of ear wax impaction.  Pushes wax deeper in.

How is this supposed to work? It's almost the other way round.

The MSD Manual (professional edition, chapter Otitis) describes it:

"Attempts to clean the ear canal with cotton swabs can cause microabrasions of the delicate skin of the ear canal (these microabrasions act as portals of entry for bacteria) and may push debris and cerumen deeper into the canal. These accumulated substances tend to trap water, resulting in skin maceration that sets the stage for bacterial infection."

 

Having said that,  ear wax is normally NOT impacted and doesn't have to be removed. 

Translated from a non-American website (not allowed to link to non-Englush content):

"Cerumen is a physiological component of the external ear.

Fresh cerumen is yellowish and thick.  After a long time it loses its viscosity and becomes darker and harder.  Cerumen protects the ear canal from infections because it has antibacterial and antifungal properties.  The unpleasant, rancid smell prevents insects from entering the external ear canal."

 

So, about ear wax removal,  Robert Paulson  is mostly right.  Normally, there is no need to do anything,  on the contrary,  ear wax protects the ear. Ear canals don't need "cleaning".

 

(Impacted ear wax may lead to hearing loss and obviously needs treatment/cleaning.)

 

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

Just now, Lorry said:

How is this supposed to work? It's almost the other way round.

The MSD Manual (professional edition, chapter Otitis) describes it:

"Attempts to clean the ear canal with cotton swabs can cause microabrasions of the delicate skin of the ear canal (these microabrasions act as portals of entry for bacteria) and may push debris and cerumen deeper into the canal. These accumulated substances tend to trap water, resulting in skin maceration that sets the stage for bacterial infection."

 

Having said that,  ear wax is normally NOT impacted and doesn't have to be removed. 

Translated from a non-American website (not allowed to link to non-Englush content):

"Cerumen is a physiological component of the external ear.

Fresh cerumen is yellowish and thick.  After a long time it loses its viscosity and becomes darker and harder.  Cerumen protects the ear canal from infections because it has antibacterial and antifungal properties.  The unpleasant, rancid smell prevents insects from entering the external ear canal."

 

So, about ear wax removal,  Robert Paulson  is mostly right.  Normally, there is no need to do anything,  on the contrary,  ear wax protects the ear. Ear canals don't need "cleaning".

 

(Impacted ear wax may lead to hearing loss and obviously needs treatment/cleaning.)

 

 

Diving/going under water without ear plugs applies pressure to the outer ear canal.   Not likely to be an issue for soft, fresh wax but older, harder wax won't need too much of a push to become impacted enough to block hearing. Seen it happen.

[Lorry]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

Diving/going under water without ear plugs applies pressure to the outer ear canal.   Not likely to be an issue for soft, fresh wax but older, harder wax won't need too much of a push to become impacted enough to block hearing. Seen it happen.

Diving, I agree.

Swimming and getting some water in your ears, wouldn't result in any pressure. But can still result in otitis,  see the mechanism described in MSD.

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

On 7/20/2024 at 8:50 AM, rocketboy2 said:

 

Never seen 6% in 7/11.

But yes, should check, it's 3%.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I stated earlier, and as I continue to maintain, compared to a simple and common ear syringe, which is available at a Thai Pharmacy, for probably about Bt.50, there is really no benefit to using any kinds of hydrogen peroxide.

 

And, where did this 6% come from?

Well, it might have come from the packaging of the Debrox Brand of earwax removal stuff that this company sells:

 

But, really, does the hydrogen peroxide "dissolve" the wax?

No, it does not.

According to my understanding, the bubbles of gas emitted by the hydrogen peroxide, when coming into contact with the wax/bacteria inside the ear canal, acts MECHANICALLY, and not as any kind of solvent.

 

So then, what does the ear syringe do?

 

The ear syringe also acts mechanically.  And the ear syringe is used to irrigate the ear canal with warm water.

In addition, as the water is expelled out of the nozzle of the ear syringe bulb, this will create disturbances in the flow of water, as well as bubbles, and this MECHANICAL action should be enough to dislodge the impacted wax...IF..this procedure is repeated a number of times....IDK how many times...because each wax impaction is different.

 

 

Why I would NOT buy the CHEAP products available on the local market, or on delivery sites:

How do I know the Quality Control of each individual producer?

There is NO WAY I would use a product like that.

If I chose to use such a product, then I would opt for Debrox....but....

I would never buy such a product, simply because it is not necessary.

 

Here are some useful facts about Debrox and earwax removal:

https://www.drugs.com/mtm/debrox-otic.html#:~:text=Common side effects of Debrox,mild itching inside the ear.

 

Furthermore, I would not buy these products because, waste of money, in my view...

 

 

 

If Bt50.00 for a syringe made in Thailand is all I would need, then why would I pay USD38.10 to purchase what is not required?

 

 

So then, WHY do people love to use products like Debrox?

 

Here is my take....

 

When carbamide peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) is added to the ear canal, it will begin to bubble and foam.  This causes that OH-SO-SATISFYING auditory feedback to the user, which causes the user to think..:

 

Wow!

I can hear all those bubbles foaming and CHEWING AWAY, and dissolving the Big-Bad Wax impacted in my canal!

I figure this must be some sort of marketing gimmick (at least in part), simply because users love the sound of...

Debrox TAKING ACTION!

 

One thing we do not know and this is whether or not the long-term use of carbamide peroxide/hydrogen peroxide might have any negative effects.

 

Just one more thing:

 

What do you think they put in Debrox which actually DOES help to SOFTEN earwax?

YES!

They add GLYCERIN

 

 

The above is from the MayoClinic website....

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-effective-earwax-removal/

 

Final Note:  Personally, I like the sound of carbamide peroxide foaming in my ears. Who does not?!!!  It feels good to hear that snap-crackle-popping sound, and to imagine that the foam is eating-away at that nasty wax.

 

I am only saying that it is not necessary.

Therefore, I never use active ingredients like this in my ear canal, unless prescribed by a doctor, and if I am 100 PERCENT POSITIVE that my eardrum has no perforations.

 

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Gamma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Celsius]

On 7/19/2024 at 8:07 PM, Robert Paulson said:

 Earwax is a natural condition. 

 

so is cancer 

[rocketboy2]

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

and, where did this 6% come from?

Well, it might have come from the packaging of the Debrox Brand of earwax removal stuff that this company sells:

 

 

Maybe go read the post that quoted me and went on about 6%, i was just being polite.

 

and your wrong about Hydrogen peroxide,  it works fine, for what ever reason.

but thanks for the total windbag post. 

 

 

 

 

[Lorry]

1 hour ago, Celsius said:

 

so is cancer 

There is a slight difference between cancer and ear wax.

I am too busy now,  but I am sure you will find another member willing to explain it to you.

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, Lorry said:

Diving, I agree.

Swimming and getting some water in your ears, wouldn't result in any pressure. But can still result in otitis,  see the mechanism described in MSD.

 

 

 

Doesn't have to be deep diving. Just head underwater far enough to put some pressure on the ear. I've known people to do it in fairly shallow water.

[racyrick]

For what it's worth, I had both of my ears cleaned of wax with the suction machine at the public hospital here in Khon Kaen and the TOTAL charge was 50 baht!!

Did have to get there at 7am and waited 4 1/2 hours and the "doctor" looked like he was 21 years old, but all went well.

[JanPeder]

I swim a lot but have never had a problem with wax in my ear. But three days ago I had to visit the doctor and they cleaned the ears thoroughly. I am 70 years old, so I have managed for a long time. Now three days later, the right ear hurts a lot. I think it feels like it's swollen and can't rest on the right side?

The doctor said that the earwax (not yellow color but black) was deep inside so I could feel soreness some day. But it aches and pulsates which is annoying. Is this normal? I have paracetamol.

[scubascuba3]

25 minutes ago, JanPeder said:

I swim a lot but have never had a problem with wax in my ear. But three days ago I had to visit the doctor and they cleaned the ears thoroughly. I am 70 years old, so I have managed for a long time. Now three days later, the right ear hurts a lot. I think it feels like it's swollen and can't rest on the right side?

The doctor said that the earwax (not yellow color but black) was deep inside so I could feel soreness some day. But it aches and pulsates which is annoying. Is this normal? I have paracetamol.

Sounds like impacted wax, at ENT place they give you antibiotics once cleaned to prevent issues

[ignis]

 Ear nose and throat Hospital Pinklao

almost everyone speaks good English > went for years for eyes, but go to Red Cross since 2016  [lot cheaper]

 

 

As for ear wax both ears cleaned 800 baht last year [full of hard wax and hair] had to go every 2 or so for past 10 years when I can no longer hear

have tried this over the counter drops - bobbles a lot but appears not to clean, others that use this appear to have to do it every week  for best results

 

 

[Sheryl]

6 hours ago, JanPeder said:

I swim a lot but have never had a problem with wax in my ear. But three days ago I had to visit the doctor and they cleaned the ears thoroughly. I am 70 years old, so I have managed for a long time. Now three days later, the right ear hurts a lot. I think it feels like it's swollen and can't rest on the right side?

The doctor said that the earwax (not yellow color but black) was deep inside so I could feel soreness some day. But it aches and pulsates which is annoying. Is this normal? I have paracetamol.

If this continues see an ENT.  You may have an ear infection.

 

What were you seeing the doctor for initially that led to them looking in your ear?

[JanPeder]

12 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If this continues see an ENT.  You may have an ear infection.

 

What were you seeing the doctor for initially that led to them looking in your ear?

Usually I jump on my foot and the water comes out of my ear after I swim. But now it stayed for almost four days and when I was almost deaf, my wife said that now we go to a doctor. And they cleaned the ear. Hearing returned. Unfortunately, a week later, I am still sore and also feel sore around the ear.

[JanPeder]

Yes, it gets worse. I probably have an ear infection. Wondering if I can go down to the pharmacy and ask about suitable penicillin? Otherwise it will be Monday and my doctor?

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, JanPeder said:

Yes, it gets worse. I probably have an ear infection. Wondering if I can go down to the pharmacy and ask about suitable penicillin? Otherwise it will be Monday and my doctor?

Seeing doctor is best if inner ear infection suspected. If only outer ear  (more likely given history of wax removal) could try antibiotic ear drops from a pharmacy. Ask your wife  to look at your ear. If she sees redness and maybe swelling there is an outer ear inflammation (and possibly infection) so could try drops from pharmacist.

 

[JanPeder]

In Sweden we have no doctors at all, but in this country they do, even on Sunday.  Otitis was diagnosed and the ear was swollen and painful.  Ciprofloxacin 500 mg and Dex-Oph.

[Lorry]

4 hours ago, JanPeder said:

In Sweden we have no doctors at all

What do you mean?

[Will B Good]

On 7/26/2024 at 1:56 PM, JanPeder said:

I swim a lot but have never had a problem with wax in my ear. But three days ago I had to visit the doctor and they cleaned the ears thoroughly. I am 70 years old, so I have managed for a long time. Now three days later, the right ear hurts a lot. I think it feels like it's swollen and can't rest on the right side?

The doctor said that the earwax (not yellow color but black) was deep inside so I could feel soreness some day. But it aches and pulsates which is annoying. Is this normal? I have paracetamol.

 

I have just suffered SSHL...probably viral.......go to your doctor now...see a specialist. 

 

If the virus gets in, you only have a 24 hour window to save your hearing.

 

If you have pulsing, that sounds like pulsative tinnitus.....you might have arterial problems extending back to the carotid junction.

 

Do not delay......I did ........and now I'm profoundly deaf in one ear and have horrendous tinnitus.