Ear Wax Problem

[kaw69]

Hi
I have a problem with ear wax build up in both ears, when I lie on one side with one ear in a pillow, after a while I can feel some of the wax melting and I can "squish" it with my finger.
I can also turn over and repeat the same again with the other ear.
Can I get an over the counter ointment to dissolve the wax or have I got to go to the doctors to have them syringed.
TIA

[jim360]

The over-the-counter stuff is usually pretty effective, if at times a bit slow. I'd recommend trying the 5% bicarbonate solution. But you might also want to see your doctor first all the same, just in case there is, say, pain, or if the wax is already soft enough for syringing. Which is much quicker!

How's your hearing, by the way?

[Sqad]

Yes, I agree with jim...Waxsol is something similar or you could use hydrogen peroxide. All can be bought over the counter.

[yogi-bear]

Some olive oil in both ears should relieve the discomfort and doctors will not syringe until you've softened the wax and at least where he can see the eardrum, so thats a start.....otherwise Otex is good to clear it, and then the doctor can decide if its necessary for syringing at a later stage.....sometimes can do more harm than good.

Good luck, kaw :-)

[toalisi]

I'm with yogi on this.

Use Otex to soften the wax & then get the practice nurse to
syringe your ear.

[delboy3]

I use Earex Advance - I know it works cos I can hear it "fizzing" in my ears. Use this for a few days then get your ears washed out (which I love, cos it tickles!)

[kaw69]

There is no discomfort but if I go swimming and spend a long time underwater I usually have a "squishing" noise in my ears as if there is water between my wax and eardrum

[kaw69]

I like the sound of your advice Delboy as I would like to feel that something is working

[kaw69]

I forgot to ask how do I get them washed out?

[delboy3]

Go to your GP and ask for an ear wash / ear irrigation / syringing (tick as appropriate) - usually a nurse will gently do this for you with a warm water gadget. There is no pain, honestly! I couldn't believe what came out the first time I had it done...

[whiskeryron]

Use Otex for a few days as has been suggested then make appointment for practice nurse to irrigate both ears. Last time I had mine done she removed enough wax for Tussauds to build a new model.

[kaw69]

Thanks to all
I will try the Otex and then syringing with the nurse.
Might be a little difficult as I haven`t been to the surgery for about 20 years and then when I went they had difficulty finding my records.
But I live in hope that all surgeries are up to date with patients records.