by Try ear drops. To help your ear with its natural self-cleaning process, Dr. Schwartz recommended over-the-counter ear drops. These tend to be better for those with naturally drier earwax, he said, as they work by softening the earwax, making it easier to clean.
Some people find the drops ineffective (or as effective as using water drops), but because they are generally safe, experts recommend ear drops instead of swabs.
Avoid DIY tools. Beyond cotton swabs, experts warn against using homemade or store-bought tools that allow you to scrape, pick, or remove ear wax. They can be as simple as clips, or they can be small curettes, brushes, or chamber-tipped punches that can be purchased at drug stores or online. These tools are just as dangerous as cotton swabs, Dr. Schwartz said.
He also advised against ear candling, which involves placing the unlit end of a hollow candle in the ear canal and lighting the other end. This is supposed to create suction that draws out the earwax. But “candles are ineffective and dangerous,” Dr. Schwartz said. They can cause burns; and the visible leftover wax, which some people might consider proof that the technique worked, is actually just candle wax, not ear wax.
If you can’t resist cotton swabs, use them responsibly. Still, some people feel the need to use cotton swabs despite the risks, Dr. Hwa said. “If you use them to absorb a little bit of moisture right around the ear opening, it’s probably fine,” he said.
But it shouldn’t go beyond that. And if your ears hurt, itch, or feel clogged, see a doctor who can diagnose a blockage and remove it safely. That’s “the least risky approach,” Dr. Hwa said.
Caroline Hopkins is a health and science journalist based in Brooklyn.
