Why not use cotton buds in your ears?

Risks of using cotton buds

You should not use cotton buds in your ears, as they push earwax or wax deeper into your ears instead of cleaning them. This can lead to blocked ear canals, ruptured eardrums, or serious infections (fungal infections). According to experts, the ear cleans itself naturally.

Risks and disadvantages of using cotton buds:

Deep accumulation of wax: Instead of cleaning the earwax, cotton buds push it deeper into the ear, which is medically called impacted wax or clogged earwax. This can cause a feeling of something stuck in the ear or hearing problems.

Damage to the eardrum: The eardrum is very sensitive. If the cotton bud is inadvertently inserted too deep, the eardrum can be perforated or ruptured.

Risk of infection: Cotton buds dry out the normal skin inside the ear, which can allow bacteria or fungi from outside to enter the ear, which can cause infection or pain.

Cotton stuck: The cotton from the cotton bud can become loose inside the ear, which can later cause major discomfort or problems.

A detailed discussion on the harmful effects of using cotton buds in the ear:

What to do instead?

There is no need to clean the ear. However, if you want to clean the outer part of the ear, you can use a lightly damp cloth or tissue. If you have excessive earwax or experience discomfort and pain in your ear, you should consult an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist directly instead of trying to clean it at home.

Using cotton buds in the ear is very risky. According to doctors, cotton buds push earwax inside the ear instead of pushing it out and can damage the eardrum. If you have excess dirt or discomfort inside your ear, you should consult an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist instead of using cotton buds yourself.