Be careful with cotton swabs: this is why they hurt your ear

Be careful with cotton swabs
That’s why they hurt the ear

Cotton swabs – or Q-tips – are an everyday hygiene product in most households. Most people use them to remove excess earwax and create a clean ear feeling. But the harmless-looking rods can cause serious damage to the ear.

Earwax: The natural cleaning

Experts warn that inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal is risky. The main reason is the natural self-cleaning of the ear canal. This is because the body is designed to remove earwax from the ear canal. This happens due to the movements of the jaw when chewing. This means that the dirt in the ear is transported outwards using the earwax. Earwax also prevents deep penetration of dust and dirt. And ensures that the skin in the ear canal remains supple without drying out. Inserting cotton swabs can disrupt this natural process

Cotton swabs: The most common injuries

Injuries to the ear canal: Injury to the ear canal can cause pain, inflammation, and possibly even hearing loss.

Earwax displacement: Instead of removing earwax, the cotton swab can push it deeper into the ear canal. This can lead to painful constipation.

Eardrum Injuries: Accidental entry into the ear canal can perforate the eardrum. This can cause a tear and, in the worst case, hearing loss.

Itching and dryness: Cotton swabs can dry out the skin in the ear canal and cause itching.

Middle ear or ear canal infections: Repeated cleaning with cotton swabs also promotes chronic inflammation. These can cause significant damage to the mucous membranes, the eardrum and the auditory ossicles. In the worst case, they can be life-threatening.

Avoid an unclean feeling

Instead of using cotton swabs to remove earwax, doctors recommend gentler ear care methods. In most cases, a washcloth with lukewarm water is sufficient. This can remove excess earwax and keep the ear canal clean without risk of injury. Soap or washing lotions are not necessary. However, if problems or pain occur, a visit to an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) is essential. Stubborn dirt or earwax problems can be treated professionally there.

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