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#1684043 - 12/25/05 08:26 PM

Ear cleaning?

Darren Landrum
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Registered: 07/30/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Port Huron, Michigan, USA

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I seem to remember something about some products designed to thoroughly clean out one's ears. I've been having issues with congestion in my ears lately, and I'm thinking it's time to dispense with the Q-Tips and use something that actually works well.

I was reading once about an OTC product available in most drug stores, but I'll be darned if I can remember what it is. Does anyone out there have products they use for this purpose and can recommend?

Thank you for your time.

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Darren Landrum

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#1684044 - 12/25/05 10:29 PM

Re: Ear cleaning?

AudioMaverick
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Registered: 05/19/01
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I've used a couple drops of peroxide in each ear, for just a few minutes. I'll lay on a pillow and toss in the drops with a dropped. The ear wax will really foam up. And, if your ear wax is built up, you may experience a slight room spin.

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#1684045 - 12/26/05 09:09 AM

Re: Ear cleaning?

Darren Landrum
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Registered: 07/30/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Port Huron, Michigan, USA

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I've heard about using peroxide, but it actually kinda makes me nervous to put something so potentially dangerous inside my ears. It does seem to work for so many, though.

Do you lay with the ear you're cleaning facing up or down?

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#1684046 - 12/26/05 09:13 AM

Re: Ear cleaning?

miroslav
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The ear has normally a very good self-cleaning mechanism, and it doesn't require your intervention...only if you are one of those cases who’s ears produce extreme amounts of wax.

If you feel pressure/congestion/dullness in your ears...the problem is usually on the inside...and not the outside wax.
The inner-ear drainage tubes become easily clogged when you have bad colds/allergies...and what really works...is a few days of antihistamine to stop the production of mucus...and some mild decongestant to shrink/dry the swelling and open up the tubes to help them drain again.

Try some Claritin-D...or similar...

Oh...the peroxide can really inflame the tender, inner surface of your ear...be careful.
If it really is too much wax...I would go to the doctor to have it cleaned.

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#1684047 - 12/26/05 09:21 AM

Re: Ear cleaning?

Darren Landrum
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Registered: 07/30/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Port Huron, Michigan, USA

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Thanks, Miroslav. I've been using decongestants, but I didn't think of using them with antihistamines first. That's probably worth a try.

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#1684048 - 01/04/06 03:13 PM

Re: Ear cleaning?

J.J. Blair
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Registered: 07/22/05
Posts: 326
Loc: Hollywood, CA

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BTW, never, ever, ever use 'ear candles'. I had one of those things drop hot wax onto my ear drum, and I had to finish a mix with one ear. The ENT doctor who scraped the wax out of my ear (very, very, very painful) then informed me that those things don't really do jack shit anyhow.

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#1684049 - 01/05/06 09:12 AM

Re: Ear cleaning?

Darren Landrum
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Registered: 07/30/05
Posts: 503
Loc: Port Huron, Michigan, USA

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Thanks, JJ! I actually already knew that, but it never hurts to get the message out there anyway you can.

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#1684050 - 01/06/06 02:29 PM

Re: Ear cleaning?

D_dup3
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Registered: 11/16/01
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Loc: Tucson,AZ,UNITED STATES

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Late follow up (sorry I just got here!)

When I moved to KY several years ago I began having "swimmers ear" not from actual waterlogging but just the molds in the air & I've gradually learned some very helpful things.

Never use the over the counter stuff (actual doctors advice from the Chief of Pediatrics at a medical school---kids get more ear problems than anyone).
Many have alcohol or other things that can dry the wax making it more impacted.
For cases of infection, though medicos generally prescribe various antibiotics, etc., they can be problematic, too, or even ineffective & in any case are after-the-fact remedies.

Best protection?
Simple household vinegar!
[1]It's natural & has no deleterious effects like alcohol, etc., while acting as a gentle solvent.
[2]It's inexpensive.
[3]It actually prevents many infections by changing the PH factor in your ear canal making it impossible for most bacteria & viruses to live.
This affects the inner ear, too. Though we don't realize it, eardrums are permeable & things don't exist on just one side of them.
Also it's faster than antibiotics in response to infections already there (although having a doctor check in serious cases is still recommended).

Simply put some in with a dropper or swab the canal with any plain vinegar about once a month or every few weeks; it dries quickly on its own with no negative effects.

Since that time (10 years ago) I've never had a single ear related problem...except when I forget my earplugs at a club.

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#1684051 - 01/06/06 03:05 PM

Re: Ear cleaning?

D_dup3
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Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 0
Loc: Tucson,AZ,UNITED STATES

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Quote:

Originally posted by Darren Landrum:
I've heard about using peroxide, but it actually kinda makes me nervous to put something so potentially dangerous inside my ears. It does seem to work for so many, though.

Do you lay with the ear you're cleaning facing up or down?

Peroxide's not really dangerous; it's a great disinfectant (like for wounds) & it's better/safer than alcohol but not as effective as the vinegar idea.

The foaming that was mentioned is a natural reaction, however to any use of it, not an indication that it's reacting with ear wax.
Pour some on your hand & it'll foam, too.

Your ear canals generally drain toward the back of your head, so when draining them lie on your back or with the ear in question downward.
The actual shape of everyone's ear canals are a little different, some straighter, some more convoluted.

Should anyone doubt my suggestions, just try them &/or ask a few doctors that you trust.

I went to several doctors over the years, however, before one hipped me to the vinegar trick.
Not to lambast all but remember many are trying to maintain their incomes & sell medicines & others, like people in any field, may simply not be aware of all the possibilities.

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