Ear Candles May Cause Injuries
The Dangers of Ear Candling and Safer Ways to Remove Earwax
Jul 14, 2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has attempted regulation of ear candles since 1996 after numerous reported ear candling injuries. Safety and effectiveness of ear candles has not been verified by any controlled scientific studies and the American Academy of Otolaryngology does not recommend their use.
What is an ear candle?
An ear candle is a hollow tube that is open at one end and pointed at the other end and is ten to fifteen inches long. Ear candles are usually made of fabric with paraffin or beeswax.
While a person lies on one side with the offending ear pointed up, another person places the ear candle in the ear so that the candle is perpendicular to the floor. The person’s face and hair is covered with a protective cover such as a towel or plate to catch any dripping wax. The candle is lit and allowed to burn for approximately fifteen minutes while the ear candle theoretically creates a vacuum that removes earwax. Proponents of ear candles might suggest that you cut the remaining candle open to see the removed toxins and earwax, but tests have shown that this is usually no more than melted candle wax.
Earwax Basics
Cerumen, or earwax, is one of nature’s natural defenses and has been shown to defend against bacteria and viruses. It is produced in the outer third of the ear, so wax that is pushed against the eardrum usually occurs as the result of people attempting to remove earwax with items such as cotton swabs, hair pins, and other objects.
Earwax will normally dry and exit the ear on its own. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends not removing earwax unless it is causing problems. Symptoms of cerumen impaction, a buildup of earwax, may include:
- Ear pain
- Feeling of fullness in the ear
- Feeling that the ear is “plugged”
- Partial hearing loss that may worsen
- Ringing or noise in the ear, also called tinnitus
- Itching in the ear
- Discharge
- Odor
- Coughing
Risks of Ear Candles
Several risks and injuries have been associated with ear candles, including:
- Burns – these burns can occur if sparks from the candle ignite nearby surfaces. The protective covering for the face and hair can also ignite if it is flammable.
- Melting wax can enter the person’s ear and obstruct the ear canal.
- Perforation of membranes in the ear can also result with ear candling.
Safer Ways to Remove Ear Wax
If you are having problems with your ears, visit your healthcare provider for an examination. Healthcare providers can assess the ear with special equipment. The healthcare provider may remove troubling earwax at that time if she feels that it is safe to do so, and this may enable her to assess structures that were hidden behind the wax. If you have ongoing earwax problems or wear hearing aids, you may wish to see your healthcare provider once or twice a year for an assessment and routine cleaning. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you try clearing earwax yourself by a technique called ear syringing. Kits for ear irrigation can often be found in pharmacies.
Ear Syringing
- Soften the wax with a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or over-the-counter wax softeners, or your doctor may recommend the use of detergent drops, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
- Wait about 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse the ear with warm water or saline using a bulb syringe. (Warming a solution before instilling it in the ear can help prevent dizziness, but the solution should not be too warm.)
- Hold a small basin under the ear to catch the liquid and earwax as it exits the ear.
Who Should Avoid Self-Treatment?
Self-treatment is not without risks. Certain populations might increase their risk for infection by performing ear syringing. Avoid self-treatment for removal of ear wax if you have any of the following:
- Diabetes
- Perforated eardrum
- Tube in eardrum
- Weakened immune system
- Myringotomy
- Chronic otitis media
If ear syringing is not an option, the physician may manually remove the cerumen with a vacuum device or a curette.
The Safest Approach to Earwax
Some people attempt to remove earwax with an ear candle and may cause more damage than good. Ear candles, although hailed by some, have the potential to cause burns and may damage the ear or surrounding areas and could result in permanent damage. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends not removing earwax unless it is problematic. Consult your healthcare provider before attempting self-removal of earwax. The healthcare provider may suggest ear syringing to remove earwax with problematic symptoms or may attempt removal of the cerumen in the office.
Sources:
American Academy of Otolaryngology Web Site
Cerumen Impaction Health Article (Healthline Web Site)
“Ear Candling” by J. Walter Kutz, Jr. and Jose N. Fayad, (2008-09, Ear, Nose & Throat Journal)
“Now Hear This!” (1999-11, Medical Update)
"The Facts on Earwax" (2009-06, American Fitness)
This article is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider if you have questions about your ears or ear candles.
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