Doctors sound the alarm and say that ear sticks are being used incorrectly by the majority of the population. They can cause serious health problems such as eardrum rupture, ringworm, injuries and even hearing loss.
The ear can be damaged by ear sticks PHOTO wikipedia
Ear sticks are a common hygiene accessory of a person in the 21st century. With their help, ear hygiene is carried out and, above all, excess wax or cerumen is removed, as it appears in the medical literature. To top it all off, most of the population doesn’t know how to use them. Doctors draw attention and say that these ear sticks are very dangerous to health if not used properly. Especially in the case of children. And ENT specialists say they have enough cases of children victims of the improper use of ear sticks.
“I don’t recommend them”
Doctor Codrin Grozavu, ENT specialist at the Pediatric Department of “Mavromati” Botoșani County Hospital says that ear sticks can become very dangerous if they are not used properly. More precisely, they should not be inserted inside the ear, as most do, but only clean the external ear flap. “I don’t recommend them. They were intended for external use, i.e. for cleaning the auricle and were not intended to be inserted into the canal“, says Codrin Grozavu. In addition, they can only be used to reduce excess wax that occurs at the ear canal, but under no circumstances to insert sticks into that ear canal. The dangers are multiple, experts say. Once inserted into the ear canal, the sticks can push the formed wax towards the eardrum. Repeated pushing, by “cleaning” the ear, by inserting the stick into the canal, leads to rupture of the eardrum and severe hearing damage.
“It favors the appearance of the earwax plug and of course various injuries in the ear and eardrum”adds Codrin Grozavu. In his current practice, doctor Codrin Grozavu had many cases to treat, with injuries caused by the inappropriate use of ear sticks. “Many cases in children. Attention, moms! Do not insert sticks into children’s ears. The child moves, the mother tries to clean them after the bath, moves, bursts the eardrum“, states the doctor from Botošan. In addition, the frequent and especially incorrect use of ear sticks can lead to the appearance of injuries, but also to mycoses, which are difficult to treat and take a long time. It is recommended that ear sticks be used only once and then thrown away.
Earwax is beneficial
Contrary to popular belief, earwax is beneficial for ear health and protection. More precisely, it does not allow bacteria to enter the internal auditory system, but it also has the role of maintaining the optimal PH in the ear, preventing the occurrence of otitis. According to doctors, earwax is, in fact, a self-defense mechanism that protects us from pathogens but also maintains the chemical balance of the ear, having antibacterial properties. If there is an excess and the wax plug forms, it can be removed by an ENT specialist. Excess earwax that appears on the surface of the ear canal is wiped with a slightly damp towel. And ear sticks can be used to clean the eardrum.
