In fact, ear candles are harmful and can cause serious injury. An ear candle is a narrow, hollow cone that has been soaked in beeswax or paraffin and allowed to harden.
During ear candling, you lie on your side while someone inserts the end of the cone inside your ear. The top of the cone is then set on fire and left to burn for a few minutes.
Ear candles are sold for removing earwax. There are claims that they can cure a wide range of medical problems including earaches, sinus infections, sinus pain and pressure, vertigo dizziness and cancer. Have you thought about performing ear candling on yourself or your child to remove excess ear wax buildup? Cher Xue Zhao tells Focus that this practice is not only an unsafe method to clean your ears, it could also put your hearing in danger.
Ear candling is one health fad that has become increasingly popular online for ear wax removal. Yet, without having any scientific basis, its practitioners guarantee that it will not only remove ear wax, but also treat other ear conditions. Also alarming, are adults who advocate for this practice online who are in favor of performing it on children and adolescents, not considering the dangers and potential permanent repercussions it could cause to their ear development.
Eye and Ear, she tells Focus that there are concerns about this widespread practice and the serious consequences it may cause — especially on young ears. The far end of the candle is lit and the heat allegedly produces suction that is supposed to draw out the ear wax, debris and bacteria from inside the ear canal.
The seemingly miraculous claims from ear candling go beyond hygiene. Supporters tout a list of claims that range from treating clogged ears, ear aches, ringing in the ears, sinus infections and allergies, to reversing hearing loss and sharpening the senses. The U. The hot wax can cause burn injuries to the ear and face and damage the ear canal. Additionally, the candle could push the natural ear wax even deeper into the ear canal.
She pointed out there is also a chance to develop a painful infection of the outer ear canal, called otitis externa, get ash on the eardrum, and worst of all, perforate the eardrum.
Zhao warned. According to Dr. If you want to try to remove the wax at home, you can gently clean the outer ear with a damp washcloth and then pat dry with a towel, but never try to clean your ears by sticking anything in the ear canal. Cher Xue Zhao is a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist who sees patients at Mass. Eye and Ear, Newton and Mass. Eye and Ear, Wellesley. Clogged ears can cause discomfort, and may affect hearing and balance. Learn about eight different home remedies to treat clogged ears, and what to….
Earwax is a yellowish waxy material produced by the sebaceous gland in the ear canal. If too much collects and hardens, it can pose a problem. Hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in ear drops, and it can help to soften and dissolve buildups of earwax.
However, if a person has an ear…. Is ear candling safe or effective? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What is ear candling? Proposed benefits? Is it safe? Risks and side effects Takeaway Ear candling is an unsafe and unproven practice during which a person inserts a lit candle into their ear. Share on Pinterest Ear candles are not a safe method for removing earwax or other impurities from the ear. What are the proposed benefits? Share on Pinterest A person should consult a doctor when they or a child are experiencing ear problems.
Risks and side effects. Share on Pinterest The open flame and melting wax from an ear candle pose a number of health risks. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.
Related Coverage. How to get a bug out of your ear. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.
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