Cotton Buds....

[Playaxvx]

Is there an alternative to cotton buds for cleaning your ears.... cos i absolutely hate sticking them things in my ears!!! Thanks xx

[OBonio]

You're not supposed to stick cotton buds in your ears. They can make things worse. It should say this on the packet!

If you're having a wax problem, heated olive oil dripped into the ear and held there for 5 mins can soften it up. If it's not better after a week of that, maybe you need your ear syringed. Arrange to see a nurse for this to be done.

[Playaxvx]

sorry i dont mean i literally stick them in my ears ha ha ha. i dont have a wax problem i just wondered if there was any other way of cleaning your ears other than using cottom buds. thanks x

[Baronvhb]

you can buy a spray from the chemist, think it's called audispray or something like that. ask your pharmacist, boots sell it. hope that helps!

[yellowduck]

I'm confused! . . . you 'absolutely hate sticking them things in [your] ears' yet you don't 'literally stick them in [your ears]! . . . Where do you stick them?! xxx

[Holbeckian]

My Doctor told me many moons ago not to put anything in my ear that was smaller than my fist.......!!

[joko]

if you just mean your outer ear just use a flannel!

i am confused too yellowduck...

[snook]

Why don't you just put the tip of your finger in your ear and jiggle it about rapidly. You should hear a sort of drumming, and any excess wax that may have built up will come out on the end of your finger. Or don't you like sticking your finger in your ear either?

You really shouldn't put anything smaller than that in your ear - it's a very delicate part of your body and can be easily damaged.

[flaming]

Take heed of my experience people. I used a cotton bud a bit too enthusiastically in an ear which had been 'dead' for many years. I didn't 'hear' the bud going to the depth it did. Next thing pain and bleeding. A bit later tinnitus started. If only, if only.... I later discovered a stuff called Audiclense (sp?) but it recommends you use this liquid whilst in the bath or shower, as it all runs over your neck otherwise. Makes your ears feel clean, but don't know if they look clean! Also when I can get them I like the bulbous ended ones which Sainsbury's do. I am very careful now, too late re the tinnitus. What someone needs to produce is an ear periscope.

[Playaxvx]

ha ha ha thanks all xxx

[gingerflaps]

there is some really good stuf u can buy from any chemist, its called audiclean, u tilt ur head to the side and spray it in and hold ur head there for a couple o mins, u can feel the wax filling and melting away, it feels really nice and refreshing. much better then cutips

[Playaxvx]

thanks very much i wil give this audicleanse stuff a go thanks for your help!!! X

[Toureman]

To holbeckian,

Your doctor was wrong, he should have told you that the only thing you should put in your ear is your elbow, very good for cleaning your ear, just try it!

[helliebobs]

I have a lot of problems with my ears (very small tubes) and often get earacge. I have never had my ears syringed but I have been thinking of trying that audiclean stuff for a while.

I too was told at school never to put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear, but I love having a good(gentle) poke with a cotton bud - not necessarily to get rid of wax but if I have a bit of an itch then a cotton bud is very comforting!

[Ethmer]

Many years ago i discovered the use of a large syringe (doesn't have or use a needle). i think its use is for feeding small animals or in feeding people who have a tube into their stomach. Although it doesn't have a needle it does have a long spout or tip.

My procedure is to sit in the bathtub and while soaking i place the tip of the syringe, filled with the warm bath water, at the opening of the ear canal and depress the plunger. i do this about 20 times per ear and find that it works wonders in removing earwax buildup and improving my hearing ability.

[doc_steve]

:-O Please, please, please! Ignore the last answer!

Dont ever squirt anything into your ear unless prescribed by your GP or a specialist. The pressure by forcing liquid into your ear can cause more damage than poking about with a cotton bud!

As mention previousley, there are lots of things available from your chemist that can be sprayed on and help loosen/dissolve the dried wax, this is by far the best and safest way.