Earwax plugs in the ears: how to remove them correctly. Before proceeding with the removal of the wax plug in the ear canal, each person should

Sulfur plug can dramatically reduce hearing acuity. Therefore, it is worth knowing what methods you can independently remove the cork from the ear, and which ones are better to refuse.

The content of the article:

Quite often, an otolaryngologist hears complaints from patients about hearing loss. As a rule, the most common problem that leads to this effect is the formation of cerumen in the ear. No one can be immune from such trouble. That is why it is useful for everyone to know what causes it to appear and what methods are there to remove it.

Every second person at least once in his life faced such a problem when hearing deteriorates sharply, as a critical amount of sulfur accumulates in the ear canal. The most effective and safest method is to seek help from an experienced specialist, but this is not always possible, so you need to determine ways that will help you quickly and independently solve the problem, but do not harm your own health.

Why do ear plugs appear?

The first group includes the formation of a large amount of sulfur. Too frequent use of various cleansing procedures can provoke a pathologically active process of sulfur formation. Of course, no one has canceled daily hygiene procedures, but improper care of the auricle can cause a completely opposite result.

In cases where a cotton swab is used too often to clean the ears, there is a risk of damaging the delicate and very thin skin that covers the ear canal. To heal the irritated area, the body begins to increase the production of sulfur. Therefore, the more actively the ears are cleaned, the greater the amount of sulfuric mass is pushed into the ear canal. After the sulfur is behind the isthmus, it begins to gradually accumulate. And the daily conduct of such cleaning procedures only compresses this mass, as a result of which it becomes heavier and denser. There is a blockage of the ear canal with a sulfur plug.

A variety of diseases can also provoke an increased production of earwax. Cause severe irritation of the skin in the ear canal eczema, otitis media, dermatitis, as well as other previously transferred pathologies, including too thorough mechanical cleaning of the ears.

Another serious problem that causes the formation of cerumen is the specific anatomy of the ear - if the ear canal is very narrow and twists a lot. As a result, sulfur masses cannot leave the ear on their own.

Signs of a blockage in the ear

A rather large amount of sulfuric mass may accumulate, but the general state of health will remain good. The appearance of unpleasant sensations occurs after a complete blockage of the ear canal with a sulfur plug has formed.

As a rule, discomfort begins to be felt after bathing, because as a result of exposure to water, an increase in the volume of sulfuric mass occurs. Therefore, the ear almost completely loses the ability to hear and perceive the sounds of the environment normally.

In some cases, deafness is accompanied by a slight noise in the ear, nausea, severe headache, dizziness, and a feeling of bursting congestion. A certain part of patients begin to suffer because they hear an echo of their own voice in their ear.

Few people know, but as a result of the accumulation of a large amount of sulfur in the ear, there is a risk of developing heart problems. If the sulfur plug is located close to the surface of the eardrum, irritating pressure on the nerve endings begins.

If the sulfur clot is detected too late, a severe inflammatory reaction may develop.

How to remove sulfur plug at home?

Hydrogen peroxide for ear cleansing

First of all, you need to remember that only 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean the ears. This tool is the safest, as it has a relatively low concentration, and will not have a negative effect on the delicate skin of the external auditory canal.

If you need to remove sulfur, you need to use a pipette to drip a few drops of hydrogen peroxide (3-5 drops) into the ear canal. You need to lie on your side so that the sore ear is on top.

After the remedy is instilled, you need to carefully listen to your own feelings. A hissing or burning sensation may be felt in the ear, but do not worry, as this is a completely natural reaction to the medicine.

If the burning sensation does not stop for a long time and causes severe discomfort, it is necessary to tilt your head down so that the peroxide flows out of the ear. After that, you should try to visit a doctor.

In the case when no discomfort occurs, you need to wait about 15 minutes, then roll over on your side so that the remaining hydrogen peroxide flows out. The tool will flow out of the ear canal along with parts of the softened cerumen.

Then the ear should be gently wiped with gauze or cotton turunda. As a rule, it will be possible to completely get rid of the sulfur tube after several such procedures in 2-3 days.

Vaseline oil can be used instead of hydrogen peroxide. However, it is not recommended to use this method of cleaning the ears too often. It is important to remember that in moderation, sulfur acts as a protective film.

Ear cleansers

Cerumenolytic drugs are the latest word in scientific medical developments. They contain unique active ingredients that have the ability to dissolve compressed sulfur directly in the ear canal.

This medicinal group includes drops of Remo-Vax and A-Cerumen. These products contain active ingredients that prevent an increase in surface tension, do not allow the sulfur plug to swell, while they penetrate directly into the center of the sulfur clot and dissolve it from the inside.

Before using such products, you must carefully read the attached instructions, as you need to correctly determine the dosage of the drug. Then the liquid is instilled directly into the affected ear and left for a couple of minutes. After the specified period of time, you need to wash off the remnants of the drug with saline.

Such special preparations, designed to remove ear plugs, can also be used to treat children. These funds have practically no contraindications. However, their use should be abandoned when:

• individual intolerance to individual components that are part of the drug;
• with perforation of the tympanic membrane.

Cleaning the ear with blowing

If during cleaning even slight pain or a strong feeling of discomfort appears, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist as soon as possible.

At the heart of blowing the ear canal is the penetration directly into the ear of a jet of air under pressure through the Eustachian tube. The easiest way to remove cerumen plug is the Valsalva self-purging procedure:

• you need to take a deep breath and hold your breath;
• then the lips are tightly closed and the wings of the nose are pressed against the nasal septum with fingers;
• is exhaled with effort.

Other methods of removing sulfur plugs with air can be used (for example, the Toynbee experiment, the Politzer experiment), but they can only be carried out by an experienced specialist in a medical institution.

Ear candles for wax removal

The high efficiency of this tool is due to the optimal interaction of vacuum and soft heat. It is this environment that is formed inside the ear canal during the process of burning a candle. As a result, the dense sulfuric mass begins to melt gradually and gradually moves along the ear canal towards the exit.

During the burning of a candle, other pleasant effects will be observed:

• stress is relieved;
• activation of blood microcirculation in the ear begins;
• sleep improves and the problem of insomnia is eliminated;
• breathing through the nose is greatly facilitated.

A small amount of cream is squeezed onto the fingers and a light massage of the auricle is performed. Then you need to lie on your side so that the sore ear is on top, and put a napkin on it. A small hole is made in the ear canal area. The upper part of the candle is set on fire with a match, and the lower part is applied to the ear canal.

After the candle burns down to a certain mark, it must be removed and extinguished by placing it in a glass of water. Using a cotton swab, the ear canal is cleaned, then closed with a cotton swab for 15 minutes.

Regular cleaning of the ears will help to avoid such a problem as the formation of wax plug. But, if this happened, and you couldn’t remove it yourself, you need to seek help from a doctor to prevent the development of more serious hearing problems.

Learn more about removing earwax from the ear in this video:

Complications of otitis media, in turn, are divided into complications of otitis externa, otitis media and otitis media.

Complications of otitis media

Prevention of the formation of sulfur plugs

To prevent the formation of sulfur plugs, it is necessary:

• properly clean the ears;
• avoid getting moisture in the ears;
• avoid being in dusty environments;
• try less often to resort to the use of headphones and telephone headsets;
• avoid otitis, and if they occur, treat as soon as possible and efficiently.

In addition, it should be noted that proper cleaning of the ears involves the removal of sulfur masses only around the entrance to the external auditory canal. A deeper insertion of the cotton swab pushes the sulfur deeper into the canal, also provoking the formation of a plug.

Finally, the frequency of ear cleaning should not exceed twice a week. More frequent cleaning leads to irritation of the ceruminous glands of the external auditory canal and the formation of more earwax.

Avoiding moisture in the ears
Any household moisture ( showering, swimming in open water, etc.), which enters the external auditory canal, is obviously contaminated with microbes. Microbes, in contact with living tissue, cause harm to it, to which the body responds with an inflammatory reaction. The inflammatory reaction leads to the formation of sulfur plugs according to the above mechanism.

Avoiding dusty environments
Sulfur, in the form in which people imagine it, for the most part consists of dust particles. In this regard, it is easy to guess that dust appears in the sulfur from the external environment, and the secret of the ceruminous glands in the wall of the external auditory canal is designed to capture and remove it from the ear in a natural way.

There is a certain dependence of the intensity of the work of the ceruminous glands on the degree of environmental pollution. According to this dependence, an increase in environmental pollution reflexively leads to an increase in the secretion of these glands. In other words, the more dust in the environment, the more sulfur is formed in the ears.

Reduced use of headphones and mobile headsets
The fact that the use of headphones leads to hearing loss is well known and repeatedly confirmed both in the laboratory and clinically. However, not many people know that headphones also lead to excess wax formation and plugging. Firstly, they form a closed space in the external auditory canal, which leads to a local increase in humidity and, as a result, to an increase in the likelihood of otitis externa. Secondly, the headphones themselves, especially the vacuum type of attachment, penetrate deep enough into the external auditory canal, mechanically irritating its walls and also leading to otitis media. With otitis, the rate of sulfur formation accelerates, and the sulfur itself becomes denser due to increasing edema.

Avoidance of otitis and their timely treatment
Since otitis is a factor that directly leads to the formation of sulfur plugs, it is strongly recommended to treat this disease as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to prevent its transition to a chronic form. Chronic otitis externa is characterized by a narrowing of the external auditory canal, leading to difficulty in self-evacuation of sulfuric masses.

Is it possible to use hydrogen peroxide, boric acid, as well as sunflower and other types of oils to remove sulfur plug?

In order to fight this disease, people invented various medicines, some of which helped, some did not help, and the rest harmed. Thus, experience in the treatment of sulfuric plugs gradually accumulated, some of which have survived to this day. In this regard, it is not worth taking folk methods of treatment lightly, especially considering the fact that they laid the foundation for most modern pharmacological preparations.

Most natural preparations have been investigated, and the mechanism of their therapeutic action has been studied. Based on the information received, new synthetic drugs were created, the effectiveness of which is several times higher than folk remedies, and side effects, respectively, are lower. However, these funds can not be bought in all pharmacies, and their cost may be quite large for the average patient. Old-fashioned methods of treating sulfur plugs are still relevant to this day, since these medicines can be made independently or purchased at a low price.

Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an affordable drug sold in any pharmacy. This drug quite effectively helps with sulfuric plug, due to some features of its action. It has a local antiseptic effect, that is, it destroys microbes upon contact with them. In addition, hydrogen peroxide, upon contact with living tissue, releases a large amount of foam. Upon contact with sulfur plugs, foam is also released, since it is largely composed of biochemical compounds. The foam not only softens the cork, but also mechanically separates it into small lumps, which are gradually released from the ear on their own.

It is important to add that the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide solution should be approximately equal to body temperature, that is, 36 - 38 degrees. At lower temperatures, reflex bradycardia may develop ( decrease in heart rate) and headache due to eardrum irritation. A higher temperature of the solution is dangerous because it can cause a burn of the delicate epithelium that covers the eardrum.

Burying hydrogen peroxide into the ears should be 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops. Duration of application should not exceed 5 days. If after this period the cork is not released, then you should seek help from a specialist, that is, an ENT doctor.

However, due to the same mechanism of action, hydrogen peroxide cannot be used in cases where there are objective direct or indirect signs of a violation of the integrity of the skin inside the external auditory canal.

Direct signs of damage to the integrity of the external auditory canal are:

• outflow of blood from the external auditory canal;
• liquor flow ( cerebrospinal fluid) from the external auditory canal;
• outflow of pus from the external auditory canal.

• bursting and throbbing pain in the ear ( associated otitis media(ear infection));
• previous attempts to remove the sulfur plug with objects not intended for this purpose ( matches, hairpins, ballpoint pen paste, keys, etc.).

Boric acid
Boric acid, like hydrogen peroxide, is a local antiseptic. For instillation into the ears with a sulfur plug, a 3% solution of this substance is used. Upon contact with the cork, it softens. As the cork softens, it swells and in some cases changes shape, which usually leads to partial or complete release of the cork. The contact of boric acid with the walls of the external auditory canal is accompanied by a feeling of warming in the ear, as well as a local antiseptic effect. In other words, this medicine destroys microbes in the ear, preventing the occurrence of an inflammatory reaction.

If the skin of the external auditory canal is damaged, the use of boric acid can lead to pain. However, the low concentration of the active substance in the solution does not cause serious organic damage, which can occur in the case of hydrogen peroxide. The temperature of the solution should be approximately equal to the temperature of the body, as in the previous case.

Boric acid is instilled into the ears 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops. The duration of treatment on average takes 3-5 days. Longer treatment rarely causes complications, but its usefulness is questionable. If the cork is not resolved within the above period, then the chosen method is considered ineffective, and it is worth contacting a specialist to remove the cork.

Vegetable and other types of oils
Oily substances can be successfully used to remove sulfur plugs. Like water-based substances, they impregnate the sulfuric plug, leading to its deformation and partial or complete exit from the external auditory canal. Oiled skin greatly facilitates the natural release of sulfur. In addition, there is an opinion that some types of oils have a moderate local anti-inflammatory effect.

Oils for instillation into the ears can be purchased at the pharmacy in a ready-to-use form, as well as prepared in your own kitchen from oils bought in a store or on the market.

Ready-to-use oils include:

• corn oil;
• Vaseline oil;
• almond oil;
• Peach oil;
• camphor oil;
• peanut butter, etc.

• sunflower oil;
• olive oil.

The method of using oils is the same as in previous cases - 2-3 times a day, for 3-5 days. If the cork does not come out, then you need to stop self-medication and consult a doctor.

What is the prognosis for sulfur plug?

Due to its nature, a sulfur plug can be in a person’s ear for a long time, absolutely not manifesting itself and not disturbing him. Only with complete blockage of the external auditory canal, some unpleasant sensations arise, such as ear congestion, noise in the ear, hum, throbbing pain, etc. Blockage of the external auditory canal with a stopper often occurs under the influence of such environmental factors as atmospheric pressure drops and increased humidity. The type of activity and habits can also increase the occurrence of sulfur plugs. Thus, work in dusty, noisy conditions, as well as the use of headphones and a mobile headset, leads to a reflex increase in the amount of sulfur formed, and, accordingly, to an increase in the frequency of traffic jams.

The main cause of complications leading to a worse prognosis of this condition is the inflammatory process. The inflammatory focus is initially formed in the space between the sulfur plug and the eardrum. Since this space is closed, fluid soon accumulates in it, pressing on the eardrum and causing a feeling of stuffiness in the ear. Over time, pathogenic microbes multiply in this space, affecting surrounding tissues. The inflammatory reaction in this case aims to limit the spread of microbes to the deeper parts of the ear.

Typically, otitis externa and otitis media inflammation of the external auditory canal and structures of the tympanic cavity) causes such severe pain that the patient tries to see a doctor as soon as possible and begin treatment. Simply removing the cerumen plug and instilling an antiseptic solution into the ear is, in most cases, enough to stop the inflammation and prevent serious complications from developing. However, when the inflammation develops too rapidly or is treated late, it spreads to the entire cavity of the middle ear and the structures of the inner ear. Suppuration of the above areas is especially dangerous because it can lead to partial or complete deafness. From the tympanic cavity along the nerve fibers, pus can spread into the cranium, causing meningitis ( inflammation of the dura mater of the brain) and meningoencephalitis ( inflammation of the hard shell and tissues of the brain itself). The latter complications are difficult to treat and often lead to the death of the patient.

However, fortunately, such complications are extremely rare. For the most part, this is because patients are unable to endure the pain of the intensity that often accompanies acute otitis media. In addition, modern medicines and medical instrumental manipulations can successfully cure even severe purulent otitis media, preventing the pathological process from penetrating the brain.

Summarizing the above, it should be noted that sulfur plugs are not a serious illness and their prognosis is mostly favorable. However, this condition should not be taken lightly, because with improper and untimely treatment, it can become complicated, leading to irreversible changes in the ear as an organ of hearing and balance. The most correct and effective treatment can only be provided by a specialist in diseases of the ear, throat and nose, that is, an otorhinolaryngologist ( ENT).

How dangerous is sulfur plug?

Sulfur plugs can be found in the ears of almost every second inhabitant of the globe. 90% of the time they do not manifest themselves in any way, being, so to speak, in a passive state. However, under certain circumstances, sulfuric plugs sharply increase in size or shift in such a way that they clog the external auditory canal.

Among the factors leading to blockage of the external auditory canal with sulfur include:

• high atmospheric humidity or direct moisture in the ears;
• sudden changes in atmospheric pressure;
• improper ear hygiene;
• elderly age;
• high density of hair in the ears;
• work in conditions of high dust content;
• frequent use of headphones and a mobile headset.

Mechanical complications include all conditions in which the sulfur plug compresses the eardrum. Due to compression, symptoms such as local pain, distant pain appear ( pain at a distance from the immediate focus), nausea and dizziness. Also, due to the fact that the tympanic membrane is abundantly innervated by fibers of the autonomic nervous system, some patients experience a change in heart rate, alternating constipation with diarrhea, and other autonomic disorders.

Complications of sulfuric plug, mediated by the inflammatory process, as a rule, have some staging. This staging lies in the fact that the inflammatory process originates first in a small closed space between the cork and the tympanic membrane, and then spreads to the middle and inner ear. In the above space, liquid gradually accumulates. For the microbes in it, ideal conditions are created in order to multiply uncontrollably - moisture, heat and nutrients obtained from the sulfur itself and the epithelium of the external auditory canal. As the number of microbes grows, their destructive effect on surrounding tissues also increases. In response to the aggressive actions of microbes, the body responds with an accumulation of leukocytes in the focus of infection, which, having absorbed the microbe, digest it and often die after that. The accumulation of dead leukocytes with microbes inside them macroscopically ( visible to the naked eye) is pus. Thus, the further inflammation penetrates, the more dangerous it is considered.

In connection with the foregoing, according to the severity of the inflammatory process and the degree of its progression, there are:

• otitis externa ( ear infection);
• otitis media;
• otitis media.

Complications of otitis externa are:

• chronic external otitis;
• stenosis of the external auditory canal.

Stenosis of the external auditory canal
A rare complication that develops, as a rule, after repeated acute purulent external otitis, accompanied by the formation of numerous adhesions ( connective tissue strands). Over time, adhesions tighten, leading to deformation and narrowing of the lumen of the external auditory canal.

Complications of otitis media are:

• tympanosclerosis;
• perforation of the eardrum;
• fistula formation;
• adhesive otitis media;
• conductive hearing loss.

Perforation of the tympanic membrane
Perforation of the tympanic membrane occurs simultaneously, when purulent masses corrode its thickness and penetrate into the tympanic cavity under pressure.

Formation of a fistula
The tympanic cavity normally communicates with the oral cavity through the Eustachian tube. With inflammation, the lumen of these tubes narrows. This mechanism is a physiological barrier to the spread of inflammation from one cavity to another. Thus, the pus accumulating in the tympanic cavity gradually increases the pressure inside it. It cannot go on like this indefinitely, and sooner or later the pus begins to look for a way out through weak points. The outcome is considered relatively favorable when a fistula tract is formed that goes out. At the same time, pain and temperature decrease sharply, and a chronic focus of infection persists for a long time in the tympanic cavity. With an unfavorable outcome, pus penetrates the structures of the inner ear or brain.

Adhesive otitis media
The consequences of purulent inflammation inside the eardrum are numerous adhesions. They are formed randomly, often squeezing the auditory ossicles and leading to their immobility.

Conductive hearing loss
Conductive ( conductive) hearing loss is a pathological condition in which hearing loss occurs due to a violation of the conversion of sound vibrations into mechanical movements of the auditory ossicles and further conduction of these movements to the window of the vestibule ( inner ear structure). The main causes of conductive hearing loss are tympanosclerosis and adhesive otitis media.

Complications of internal otitis are:

• adhesive internal otitis;
• sensorineural hearing loss;
• neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve;
• otogenic meningitis and meningoencephalitis.

Adhesive otitis media
Adhesive internal otitis media, like adhesive otitis media, develops as a result of suppuration of the corresponding cavity. With otitis media, inflammation develops in the tympanic cavity, and with internal otitis media - in the vestibule of the cochlea, the cochlea itself or in the semicircular arches. After the inflammation subsides, connective tissue constrictions are formed outside the above organs or in their cavity, deforming these organs. The more pronounced the adhesive process, the lower the ability of the organ of Corti to perceive sounds.

Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by hearing loss due to violations of the integrity of the nerves that transmit sensory impulses from the ear to the brain, pathological processes in the auditory analyzer area in the brain, and damage to the sensory part of the auditory analyzer ( Organ of Corti) located in the cochlea. The main causes of sensorineural hearing loss are vestibulocochlear neuritis, cerebral stroke, multiple sclerosis, and adhesive otitis media.

Neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve
This pathological condition is characterized by the transition of the inflammatory process to the perineural ( surrounding nerve) space of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Otogenic meningitis and meningoencephalitis
This complication is perhaps the most dangerous of all of the above, since it can lead to the death of the patient, even with proper treatment. If meningitis or meningoencephalitis can be cured, then these pathologies always leave behind serious morphological disorders, leading to mental retardation and mental disorders.

Summarizing the above, we can conclude that, in principle, sulfur plug is a fairly simple pathological condition that is easily treatable. Complications, especially the more severe ones, are more casuistry than the rule. However, it is also not worth taking this pathology lightly, so as not to fall into the number of those very unfortunate exceptions.

How effective are phytocandles in removing sulfur plug?

Phytocandles are hollow tubes from 20 to 30 cm long. A layer of various essential oils and wax is applied to their inner surface. The most common oils include sea buckthorn, clove, eucalyptus, olive, cocoa butter, vaseline oil with the addition of chamomile, celandine and other herbs. The frame of the tube consists of a slow-burning substance. One side of the tube is equipped with a narrow tip and foil for placement in the ear. Also on all phytocandles there is a mark, upon reaching which the flame must be extinguished.

These drugs can only be used with the help of a second person who controls the combustion process. To install a candle, the patient is invited to lie on his side, substituting a small pillow under his head. A napkin or cardboard is placed on the ear, which is on top, often supplied with candles. In the center of a napkin or cardboard, a hole is made with a diameter equal to the diameter of the candle. Then the candle itself is placed in this hole, the narrowed edge of which is inserted into the external auditory meatus. Insert the candle into the ear very carefully, without pressing it. After that, the candle is ignited from the free end and slowly burns out. Upon reaching the limit mark, the candle is first removed and then extinguished ( in this order, in order to avoid falling ashes on the cheek or temple). With a sulfur plug, such manipulations are done no more than 1 time in 3 days. If after two or three attempts it is not possible to remove the plug, then you should seek further help from an ENT doctor.

The mechanism of action of phytocandles is associated with the creation of negative pressure in the tube due to the burning of one of its ends. Thus, the resulting draft unobtrusively sucks out sulfur, which is eventually deposited on the walls of the candle. In addition, when burning a candle, thick smoke is formed, which settles in the external auditory meatus. The smoke contains combustion products of essential oils, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and reduce the severity of sulfur plug manifestations.

In order to assess how effective phytocandles are, it is necessary to compare their advantages and disadvantages.

Comparative characteristics of phytocandles

Can the ear hurt after removing the cerumen plug?

Also, patients may complain that as long as the cork was in the ear, they did not feel pain, but a few hours after its removal, the pain began to increase. This scenario is typical for a situation where inflammation in the space between the cork and the eardrum has just occurred immediately before the removal of the cork. In this case, the cause of the emerging otitis externa ( inflammation of the external ear) is eliminated, and otitis media progresses on its own.

As stated above, pain is a consequence of the inflammatory process. The connection between the sulfur plug and the inflammatory process is as follows. For a long time, the cork forms in the ear without causing any sensations. In other words, such a plug is conditionally in a passive state. However, under the influence of such factors as moisture, changes in atmospheric pressure, high dust content of the environment, the sulfuric plug sharply increases in size and completely seals the external auditory canal.

Thus, a small enclosed space often forms behind the weed plug, a quarter and a half milliliter in volume. Over time, fluid accumulates in this space. For microbes located in it, the main conditions for reproduction are formed - heat, high humidity and a nutrient medium, which is the secret of the sebaceous and ceruminous glands, as well as the epithelium itself. Thus, in a short time, the population of microbes increases to a level at which they become able to damage the surrounding tissues and cause an inflammatory process. In the deployment of the inflammatory process, a wide variety of immune cells are involved, which cause swelling, redness and local pain reaction.

The pains are usually sharp, throbbing in nature. The intensity of pain varies, from mild to severe, excruciating. With a high intensity of pain, symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc. often overlap. The appearance of discharge from the ear, such as blood or pus, is an unfavorable prognostic sign that requires an immediate return visit to the doctor. Typically, such complications require the appointment of broad-spectrum antibiotics locally and systemically.

The key to the disappearance of pain is to reduce the inflammatory process. For this purpose, ear drops with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic effects are used. Often antibiotics are also included in the composition of the drops.

These drugs include:

• otipax;
• anauran;
• otoph;
• dexon;
• tsipromed;
• normax;
• sofradex, etc.

Does it hurt to wash your ear with a sulfuric plug?

Pain when washing the external auditory canal can occur for the following reasons:

• external or otitis media;
• tight application of the syringe tip when washing the ear;
• uncomfortable temperature of the ear wash solution.

Sealing the syringe tip when rinsing the ear
Quite often, patients with severe pain in the ear / ears that have arisen after washing them at home are admitted to the emergency departments of hospitals. When examining these patients, it is found that the pain is caused by perforation or severe deformation of one or both eardrums. As a rule, such conditions are the result of non-compliance with the correct technique of washing the ears.

Numerous articles on wax plugs indicate the correct sequence for rinsing the ears at home. One of the prerequisites is loose attachment of the syringe tip to the entrance to the external auditory canal. This part allows the fluid entering the ear to exit unhindered, piece by piece washing away the fragments of the cerumen plug. However, some patients, seeking to wash the cerumen plug in one procedure, insist that the person assisting them in carrying out this manipulation put the syringe tightly to the ear and press on the plunger. This creates positive pressure in the ear, sufficient to perforate the eardrum at its weakest point and cause microbes to enter the middle ear cavity ( tympanic cavity). Surely it is not worth explaining that both the very moment of the rupture of the eardrum, and the inflammation that follows this cause severe pain.

Uncomfortable temperature of the earwash solution
The above rules for washing the ear at home mention that the temperature of the solution used with antiseptics should be comfortable, that is, in the range from 36 to 40 degrees. A colder liquid, upon contact with the tympanic membrane, can cause reflex headaches, as well as a change in heart rate, due to irritation of the autonomic nerve fibers that abundantly innervat it. Hotter liquid can cause a thermal burn, which also causes severe pain and deformity of the eardrum.

How effective are folk methods for extracting sulfuric cork?

Traditional methods of treatment are in many ways similar to traditional methods used in medicine today. This similarity is quite logical and is simply explained by the fact that modern medicine takes its roots in the depths of centuries-old folk wisdom. However, traditional medicine, unlike traditional medicine, does not stand still, but moves in step with scientific discoveries. Medicines are becoming more effective, more stable, cleaning methods are more perfect. Thanks to the calculations of physiologists and the use of highly sensitive and high-precision measuring equipment, drug regimens become more effective. The process of creating drugs is automated and practically eliminates the subjective factor and the flaws associated with it.

Comparing folk and traditional methods of treating sulfur plugs, it should be noted that both are based on instillation of ears with solutions of antiseptics, anesthetics ( painkillers) and antibiotics, as well as various methods of washing the external auditory canal.

Among folk drops in the ears are distinguished:

• almond oil;
• juice of an onion baked in the husk;
• boiled sunflower oil;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• baking soda solution, etc.

• washing the ears with ordinary syringes;
• rinsing the ears with a shower hose without a nozzle;
• burning hollow wax candles of one's own preparation, one end in the ear, etc.

The most common complications of alternative methods of treatment are:

• inflammation;
• allergic reactions;
• chemical or thermal burn;
• perforation of the tympanic membrane, etc.

Allergic reaction
Some people may have a high allergic sensitivity to some of the components of the drug.

The most common allergic reactions are caused by:

• flower pollen;
• spices;
• vinegar;
• chemical additives;
• citrus;
• strawberries;
• coffee;
• blackcurrant;
• mustard;
• brewer's yeast;
• mold and others.

Chemical or thermal burn
There is such an expression: “Only the measure is curative, everything else is poison.” In other words, even the best medicinal substances can have a negative impact on the health of the patient if they are used in the wrong concentration, according to the wrong scheme. It is with this fact that the lack of medicines prepared at home is connected. It is quite difficult to assess the concentration of a solution, infusion or decoction, especially if the patient is preparing it for the first time. Too high a concentration can cause chemical burns to the tissues of the ear, while a low concentration is unlikely to help.

The situation is similar with the temperatures of solutions instilled into the ears. Normally, it should be 36 - 40 degrees. Lower temperatures can cause unwanted autonomic reflexes, while higher temperatures can lead to thermal burns of the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane.

Perforation of the tympanic membrane
Perforation of the tympanic membrane can occur when the tip of the syringe is firmly attached to the entrance to the external auditory canal. When you press the syringe plunger in the external auditory canal, an increased pressure is sharply created, sufficient for the perforation of the eardrum to occur.

Summing up the above, it should be noted that folk medicines can be used without fear only if the prescription is received from a doctor, and this recipe contains all the nuances of its preparation. However, the need for folk recipes for extracting sulfuric plugs is not so great, since today there is a wide variety of drugs for the medical treatment of this condition, which are quite accessible to any patient.

Text: Tatyana Maratova

It is better not to try to remove the sulfur plug from the ear on your own, but to seek help from an otolaryngologist. Although, let's be realistic, rarely does anyone go to the doctor with an ear plug. So read on how you can remove wax from your ear at home. The only advice is to be extremely careful!

Why do we need sulfur in our ears

how remove wax plug from ear and why is she there? Earwax is needed to protect and lubricate the ear canals, without enough earwax, the ears will be too vulnerable to infection, damage, dryness and itching. Too much wax, however, can literally form a plug inside the ear canal, causing pain, tinnitus, and even partial hearing loss. In these cases, it may be necessary to remove the wax plug from the ear. As a rule, "blockages" from earwax are quite safe, and they can be quickly removed at home using pharmacy products.

Remove wax plug from ear with hydrogen peroxide

Here is a simple proven method. Prepare a solution of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide. One teaspoon of each ingredient is usually sufficient. Draw the peroxide solution into a clean pipette. Warm the pipette to body temperature by holding it in the palm of your hand for a few minutes. This step is very important - otherwise, the cold liquid in your ear may make you dizzy.

Tilt your head so that the ear from which you are going to remove the wax plug is pointing up. This will be easier to do if you are lying on the bed. Put three drops of peroxide solution into the affected ear, and pull the other ear up and back - this is necessary to straighten the ear canal, and the peroxide flows freely into it, reaching the accumulation of earwax. When you do this, you will feel that the peroxide solution has gone through the ear canal. The moment when it reaches the sulfur plug, you will know by the noise of the bubbles formed.

Wait a few minutes, and then apply a dry, clean towel to the ear from which you have just removed the wax plug. Tilt your head again so that the solution flows out of your ear onto the towel. Now take an ordinary plastic syringe, fill it with clean water and use it to wash out the remaining wax from the ear. You may have to repeat this unpleasant procedure several times, but it will definitely need to be done.

The appearance of a sulfur plug is a fairly common problem. For a long time, such an education does not make itself felt, so many patients seek help at later stages, complaining of hearing loss. In the absence of adequate treatment, unpleasant and even dangerous complications are possible. So what to do in such cases? How to remove an ear plug at home and is it worth it? What are the reasons for the formation of such education? What methods of treatment does modern medicine offer?

Ear plug - what is it?

The ear plug is a formation that is formed inside the auditory canal from substances secreted by specific glands. This structure consists of fats (including cholesterol), proteins, hyaluronic acid (this substance retains water), enzymes, dead epithelial cells of the auditory canal. The composition contains lysozyme and immunoglobulins - these substances provide protection against infections.

The main causes of the formation of traffic jams in the ears

Many people are interested in the question of how to remove an ear plug at home. But it is worth understanding that washing out does not always ensure recovery. Sometimes, if the cause is not eliminated, traffic jams can form again.

• The most common cause is improper ear hygiene. For example, you can push the formed sulfur even deeper into the ear canal or injure soft tissues with a hard object at hand.
• A common culprit for sulfur buildup is inflammation (common in children). Otitis and other diseases change the acidity of the environment and increase the viscosity of the secretions.
• The formation of plugs can also be associated with genetically determined features. For example, in some patients, sulfur is released much more, and sometimes it has a denser consistency. Risk factors include structural features of the ear canal (in some people it may be more tortuous), the presence of a large number of hairs that prevent discharge of secretions.
• Frequent water intrusion into the ear canal. Swimmers and divers often face this problem. Moisture, getting inside the ear, causes swelling of the ear plug. Such situations are dangerous, because moisture accumulates between the sulfur formation and the eardrum, which creates ideal conditions for the rapid reproduction of pathogenic bacteria.
• The formation of traffic jams is also facilitated by a long stay in conditions of atmospheric pressure drops.
• Risk factors include age, because in old age the ear secretion becomes more viscous, hair growth in the ear canal is activated, but patients often have problems with hygiene.
• Work associated with staying in a dusty workplace can also provoke the formation of a cork, because sulfur is a viscous substance, to which dust particles easily adhere.
• Risk factors include an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood, since such a pathology increases the amount of sulfur released and activates the growth of hair in the ears.
• Some skin conditions, including dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema, can affect the skin on the outer ear and ear canal, making wax removal difficult.

Varieties of sulfur plugs

Such formations can have a different structure, consistency and color:

• pasty plugs have a soft consistency and yellow color;
• plasticine-like are characterized by a denser consistency and a dark, brownish color;
• hard ear formations practically do not contain water (their color can be dark brown, sometimes even black);
• epidermal plugs are distinguished into a separate group, which consist of sulfur and particles of the epidermis and have a characteristic gray color.

The doctor makes a decision on how to get the ear plug, based on information about its consistency and composition. In this case, the features of the clinical picture and diagnostic data are extremely important.

Ear plug: symptoms in adults and children

Of course, many people are interested in the features of the clinical picture. So how does an ear plug show up? Symptoms in adults (as well as in children) do not appear immediately, because the sulfur formation grows gradually. As a rule, violations appear if the plug completely clogs the ear canal. Sometimes the symptoms are associated with water getting into the ear, because sulfur deposits swell from moisture.

First of all, there is a significant decrease in hearing, sometimes up to its complete loss. Many patients complain of intermittent noise in the ear, a constant feeling of congestion. Sometimes a person begins to listen to the echo of his own voice when talking. There may be a sensation of a foreign body in the ear - young children often try to pull something out.

In the event that the cork presses on the eardrum, other violations appear. The list of symptoms includes frequent yawning, dizziness, migraines. Some patients complain of nausea that occurs while traveling in transport. The formation of an ear plug can cause a violation of the cardiovascular system. The list of signs can be replenished with coughing fits and impaired coordination. This happens due to pressure on the nerve endings.

Diagnostic measures

Having found signs of an ear plug, you need to contact an otolaryngologist. Confirming the presence of education is quite simple - a standard otoscopy will be enough. The doctor examines the ear with a special metal funnel and a light device. If there is a need to examine the ear canal without removing the sulfuric plug, then a bellied probe is used.

Additional studies are carried out only if it is necessary to find out the cause of the formation of traffic jams.

Washing out earwax

How to clean your ears from sulfur plugs? Your doctor will tell you about this. In most cases, patients are advised to "wash out" sulfur deposits. The procedure does not take too long, it is painless, but still not very pleasant.

The patient sits on a chair, turning the affected ear towards the doctor. The patient's shoulder is covered with a protective film, after which a special tray is placed on it. For washing, a warm sterile solution is used. The procedure is carried out using a large syringe without a needle. Inserting the tip of the syringe, the doctor gently injects the solution along the upper wall of the ear canal - sulfur comes out along with the medicine for washing.

Ear drops and their features

In some cases, it is not possible to wash the formation out of the ear - first you need to soften the sulfur deposits. In such cases, special drops from sulfur plugs are used.

• Remo-Vax, which is available in the form of a solution, is considered quite effective. It contains allantoin, which helps to liquefy and wash out sulfur from the ear canal. By the way, the drug is widely used to prevent the formation of plugs in the ears.
• Another good medicine are drops "A-Cerumen". This drug actively dissolves sulfur accumulations, while maintaining the volume of the ear plug, preventing it from swelling and increasing.
• For washing and softening sulfur formations, Klin-Irs drops are used, which contain olive oil.
• Peroxide is widely used. The solution helps to get rid of ear plugs, but only if the sulfur formation is small and the patient does not suffer from dermatitis and other skin diseases.

You cannot use these drugs on your own. Softening ear plugs is a serious procedure and only a doctor can find the right medicine.

"Dry" cork removal

Not in all cases it is possible to wash out the cork. For example, with perforated otitis media, the use of drops and solutions is contraindicated, because the liquid through the damaged eardrum can enter other parts of the auditory analyzer, which is fraught with dangerous consequences, up to complete deafness. In such a situation, the doctor can carefully remove the sulfur formation using a special probe.

Sulfur plugs in the ears: how to remove it yourself?

It is not always possible to immediately consult a doctor. What to do if you have wax plugs in your ears? How to remove such accumulations on your own? To begin with, it’s worth saying that it’s not always worth trying to do something at home. Such a procedure is possible only if there is no fever and pain in the ear and we are talking about an adult.

A few days before the procedure, it is worth starting to soften the cork using a solution of hydrogen peroxide or special drops. To wash your ear, you will need a Janet syringe (you can use a regular 20 ml syringe). Boiled water can be used, but it is better to purchase sterile saline or furacilin solution from a pharmacy.

The auricle needs to be pulled up and back - this way you can straighten the ear canal. A jet of liquid should be directed to the upper wall of the ear canal. Be careful that the flow is not too strong. Remember that the procedure should not be accompanied by pain, if discomfort still appears, then you need to stop immediately. At one time, the effect cannot be achieved, but after several approaches it is quite possible to wash the cork.

If such manipulations do not bring results, then it is better to consult a doctor.

Possible Complications

In most cases, the problem responds well to treatment. But if you are interested in the question of how to remove an ear plug at home, then you should understand that improper washing is fraught with dangerous consequences. Inept manipulation can lead to damage to the integrity of the ear canal or perforation of the eardrum. Other complications include deafness and inflammation. Due to reflex effects, tachycardia and other cardiac arrhythmias may develop, up to a complete cardiac arrest.

Complications are possible even after proper removal of the sulfur plug. For example, some patients develop chronic otitis of the external auditory canal, stenosis of the external canal, inflammatory processes in other parts of the auditory analyzer. Some people complain of pain, itching and burning, which often spread to the head, neck and shoulders.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the reflex effects, in which there is a disruption in the functioning of distant organ systems. Their list includes chronic migraines, constipation, abdominal pain, heartburn, arrhythmias. According to statistics, such complications are rarely recorded. Nevertheless, if any deterioration occurs, it is worth contacting a specialist.

Effective preventive measures

Sometimes it is much easier to prevent the development of an ailment than later to be interested in the question of how to remove an ear plug at home. Proper hygiene is considered the best prevention. The ear cartilage can be washed daily with warm water, after which the external opening of the ear canal is gently blotted with a cotton swab. But it is recommended to clean the ears more thoroughly no more than 1-2 times a week. For this purpose, experts recommend using special cotton buds with a limiter, moving them not up and down, but in a circle.

Workers in dusty industries are advised to protect their ears. If you belong to the risk group (are in high humidity conditions, work among dust, often have to talk on the phone and use headphones), then periodically you need to use A-Cerumen ear drops for prevention.

To quickly cure cough, bronchitis, pneumonia and strengthen the immune system, you just need...

Many of us have experienced such a problem as hearing loss due to the formation of a large amount of sulfur in the ear canal.

Ear wax in humans is produced constantly and performs a protective function. It can grow in the ear quite slowly and not cause discomfort until its amount becomes critical and closes the ear canal.

It is safest and most effective to seek help from a specialist, but in some cases, you can resort to methods that will help you solve this problem yourself. Ear plug how to remove at home without harming health - everyone should know.

The main reasons for the formation of sulfur plug

A certain amount of sulfur is formed in the ear canal, which gradually accumulates and dries up, microbes, dust particles settle on it, after which it peels off on its own and comes out.

The removal of the sulfur plug occurs with the help of cartilage, which is mobile during speech and digestion of food, under such an influence, sulfur is pushed out spontaneously.

To understand whether it is possible to remove the ear plug yourself, you need to determine the reasons for its formation.

The main reasons for the formation of a plug in the ear canal are:

Symptoms indicating the formation of sulfur plug

As a rule, the formation of a sulfur plug in the ear canal is accompanied by characteristic symptoms:

• If the plug is small - there are no signs of its presence, if it covers more than 50% of the ear canal, hearing loss and a feeling of congestion.
• in my head hear the resonance of your voice, while extraneous noise seems to be slightly muffled.
• If the cork is large enough, it may appear severe headaches and dizziness.

You can get rid of ear plugs without special diagnostics, tests and complex procedures, except in severe cases. In most cases, a visit to an otolaryngologist is sufficient.

A specialist using a special tool will examine the ear canal. If there are complaints from the patient and a large amount of gray or yellow matter in the auricles, an accurate diagnosis is established.

An additional examination is necessary only in case of suspicion of any complications.

Possible complications associated with the presence of sulfur plug

Sulfur plug, like any disease, is easier to prevent than to treat. In fact, it is not dangerous, but if you do not get it in time, unpleasant consequences can arise.

It must be remembered that complications often arise not so much because of the presence of the sulfur plug itself, but because of its inaccurate or incorrect removal.

Complications caused by the presence of sulfur plug:

• Inflammation. In rare cases, aggressive rinsing of the ear canal can contribute to an inflammatory process that can lead to otitis media or hearing loss. This condition is accompanied by hearing loss and pain in the ear canal.
• Neuralgia. If the plug is large enough and deep enough, it can compress the auditory nerve, leading to headache, dizziness, reflex cough, nausea, and in rare cases, vomiting.
• Perforation of the tympanic membrane . Damage to the membrane occurs due to improper washing of the ear canal under the pressure of water or an attempt to pull out the cork with cotton swabs or tools.
• hearing loss . In severe cases, the ear plug causes severe inflammation of the ear canal, which can lead to partial hearing loss. In this case, hearing restoration is possible with long-term treatment.

Medical treatment

Despite the fact that the cork in the ears is visually noticeable, it is not recommended to remove it at home by any means at hand. Today, the pharmacy network presents an extensive range of medicines that can greatly facilitate the process of removing earwax from the ears on their own.

Before you clean the ear canal using medications, you need to consult with a competent specialist who will examine the ear canal and indicate how to dissolve your sulfuric plug. Sulfur plugs differ in their consistency, so various drugs are used to soften them.

Medications for effective removal of traffic jams:

Effective folk methods

Alternative methods for removing sulfur plugs can be quite effective, but they should be used with extreme caution. They are designed to quickly remove wax, but not to treat various ear diseases.

With prolonged pain in the ear, severe headaches, bloody and purulent discharge, any folk methods can be used only after consulting a specialist.

Folk remedies:

The presence of a sulfur plug can provoke quite serious complications.

In addition to frequent headaches and hearing loss, this condition significantly increases the risk of developing various inflammatory processes. Their treatment involves a fairly long therapy.

It is possible to avoid complications and negative consequences only with the timely elimination of this problem.

• Ignore the appearance of sulfur plugs;
• Clean ears, remove wax with cotton swabs and other items;
• In the presence of the first signs of complications, postpone a visit to the otolaryngologist.

Preventive measures

Prevention aimed at the formation of sulfur in the ear canals is not difficult. Timely treatment of ENT diseases and basic hygiene greatly reduce the risk of sulfur plugs.

If you clean your ears too vigorously, you can remove a large amount of sulfur, which is necessary for protective functions.

Here are some simple tips to help prevent congestion:

• Use cotton swabs to remove dirt only in the area of ​​the outer ear;
• Hygiene of the ear passages;
• When swimming in pools, ponds and rivers, protect your ears from water ingress. This serves as a preventive measure against the formation of sulfur plugs and infection;
• When swimming, limit the ingress of water into the ears, wear swimming caps or use cotton swabs in the ears;
• If the work is associated with industrial noise or dust, it is recommended to use protective headphones or earplugs;
• Avoid prolonged exposure to dry air or high humidity;
• Removal of contaminants of the outer and inner ear;
• Timely treatment of ENT diseases.