Earwax Blockage: Care Instructions (2024)

FAQs

How to treat earwax blockage at home? ›

If your doctor recommends that you try to remove earwax at home: Soften and loosen the earwax with warm mineral oil. You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear two times a day for up to 5 days.

Earwax blockage that has no symptoms can sometimes clear on its own. However, if you have signs and symptoms of earwax blockage, talk to your health care provider. Signs and symptoms may signal another condition.

If left untreated, excessive earwax may cause earwax impaction symptoms to worsen. These symptoms might include hearing loss, ear irritation, tinnitus and other issues. A buildup of earwax might also make it difficult to see into your ear, which may result in potential issues going undiagnosed.

If the aim is to completely break down the wax, waxsol, peroxide 3% or a sodium bicarbonate solution (which can be prepared by your local pharmacist) is effective.

Earwax removal tips

Instead, soak a cotton ball and drip a few drops of plain water, a simple saline solution, or hydrogen peroxide into the ear with your head tilted so the opening of the ear is pointing up. Keep it in that position for a minute to allow gravity to pull the fluid down through the wax.

If ear cleaning drops don't work, the ears might need flushing with a bulb syringe, which are available at drug stores or grocery stores. You'll want to fill the syringe with warm water, place it near your ear opening, and carefully squeeze the bulb. The warm water will flood your ear and break up the wax.

Experts generally advise against removing earwax yourself. If your ears feel blocked, add drops of water with a cotton ball into it with your head tilted. Let it sit for a minute, then tilt your head back to relieve the blockage. You can get ear drops with a liquid substance called a cerumenolytic, over the counter.

Will impacted ear wax fix itself? The short answer is that it is unlikely. While it is true that our ears are self-cleaning, and wax should be carried out of the ear canal naturally, if your ear wax has built up to the point that it is symptomatic, and impacted, you may need a little more help.

Position yourself comfortably, either sitting or standing. Place your index and middle fingers behind your earlobe, near your ear's base. Apply gentle pressure and engage in slow, circular motions to help dislodge the earwax. While massaging, integrate some earlobe tugging.

Will my ear eventually unclog itself? ›

Your ears will most likely return to normal after a couple of days if air pressure is causing your blockage. If an ear infection is to blame for your clogged ears, you might have to wait until your body fights off the virus or bacteria at work (and, if it's the latter, antibiotics can really help).

Diagnosis and treatment for ear wax blockage

drops to soften the ear wax and help it to fall out on its own (this may take from a few days to a few weeks)

Once earwax naturally moves toward the opening of the ear canal, it typically falls out or washes away. Washing your hair is usually enough to remove the wax on your ear's surface. During a shower, a small amount of warm water enters the ear canal and loosens any wax accumulated there.

To treat ear wax blockage yourself, you can try over-the-counter ear wax removal drops. Tip your head so the ear points toward the ceiling. Using a dropper, fill the ear canal with liquid. Keep your head tipped for at least five minutes, then cover your ear with a towel and straighten your head so the liquid drips out.

If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.

Irrigating (gently rinsing) your ear canal can reduce the risk of earwax impaction. It involves using a rubber bulb syringe to squirt water or a saline solution into the ear canal. When the water or solution drains out of the ear, it also flushes out loose ear wax.