Earwax removal is most safely done by a healthcare professional. [4] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source Using peroxide can cause ear damage if your ear problem isn’t due to excess earwax. If your doctor okays it, you can proceed to using peroxide at home. Ask for advice on selecting and using at-home ear cleaning products.
An oil to soften the earwax, such as mineral oil, baby oil, olive oil, or glycerin Hydrogen peroxide, or a carbamide peroxide solution available at most drug stores The peroxide must be diluted — make sure you get peroxide that is 3% or lower in strength. Two medium-sized bowls An eyedropper A rubber bulb syringe A clean towel
Test the temperature of the oil and peroxide on the skin of your hand before putting it into your ear. It should be warm, not hot.
Do not push the dropper deep into your ear canal. Insert the tip gently into your ear and let the oil drop or roll down to your eardrum.
You might feel bubbling, tickling, or itching as the peroxide works. It may also sound like crackling.
Once your ears are clean, you can do this cleaning process once a month. [13] X Research source If you often struggle with excess earwax (and not another ear problem), you can use oil weekly to soften the wax. Use two to three drops in each ear, and flush it out with warm water. Peroxide is probably too drying to use weekly.
You can also try putting two to three drops of oil in each ear before swimming as a protective measure.
You can try warm water alone or a saline solution, instead. Make a saline solution by dissolving ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of boiled water. [16] X Research source
You may have an ear infection if you have ear pain (especially when you lie down), diminished hearing, and fluid draining from your ear. You may also have a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear, or a fever. Look for signs of a possible ear infection in children, such as crying and pulling at their ear, trouble sleeping, difficulty hearing and responding to sounds, fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher, loss of balance, not eating, or complaining of a headache.
You should not use peroxide if you have ear tubes, or tympanostomy tubes. Some people get small hollow tubes surgically implanted in their eardrum as a child if they have frequent ear infections. Don’t use peroxide if you’ve ever had ear surgery.
