Maintaining ear health and hygiene is essential in everyday life, as poor ear conditions can impact hearing ability. Dirt accumulation in the ear is a common cause of ear problems. Ear candle treatments are widely used for promoting ear health and cleanliness. Is this therapy genuinely working?
What is ear candle therapy?
Ear candle or candle therapy is a technique of cleaning the ears using hollow, cone-shaped candles. The therapist will place this candle inside the ear and use flames to burn the tip.
The molten wax is typically placed into a perforated paper plate to prevent skin contact. The candle will burn for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on its length and composition. The therapist will show you the wax removed from your ear after the procedure.
Therapy users claim that the pressure created by the lit candle eliminates earwax. According to a different viewpoint, the heat from the ear can melt the waxy cerumen, making it easier to remove earwax.
Read more: Causes Of Ears Frequently Collaborating
Is ear candle treatment effective for ear hygiene?
Most ear candle therapy customers report that their ears get cleaner after using ear therapy. However, the FDA has not approved using ear candle therapy for health. No studies have corroborated the evidence that ear candle therapy is effective for clearing earwax.
According to WebMD, earwax can be sticky or dry in texture. Strong suction is needed to remove ear wax from the ear. However, one study indicated that ear candle therapy did not provide a strong suction. The idea that the ear candle's temperature might melt the wax inside the ear is also incorrect. It is well known that the candle's temperature is insufficient to melt the wax.
Additionally, some ear candle producers assert that ear candle therapy offers additional health advantages in addition to cleaning the ears. Sadly, there isn't any evidence to back up these claims about the health advantages of ear candles.
According to Healthline, there are several hazardous adverse effects associated with ear candle therapy, including:
- Burns to the face, ear canal, eardrum, and middle ear
- Ear injury from hot wax
- Ear blocked by wax
- Ruptured eardrum
- Bleeding
- Accidental fire
Read more: Ear Stroke, Is It Really There?
Safe techniques for ear cleaning
The ear has a system to remove cerumen when necessary; thus, cleaning earwax is unnecessary. Most folks don't need to use cotton buds to clean it. The body uses the cerumen in the ear to lubricate and clean the ear canal while keeping bacteria and fungi out of it.
You should see a doctor if you believe cleaning your ears is necessary because of an ear condition. The following are a few techniques for cleaning the ears:
- Using ear drops to liquefy the cerumen so that it can be removed more easily
- Using an ear irrigation method, generally performed by a doctor
There is no scientific proof that using ear candles to clean ears works. You should consult a physician if you experience hearing loss or have issues with proper ear care. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can visit a doctor or use the consultation features available in the Ai Care application.
Want to know more information on tips and tricks for health, first aid, and other home treatments? Click here!
- dr. Yuliana Inosensia
