is it safe to use qtips for my ears?
397044
It is not recommended to use a Q-tip (or anything else for that matter) to remove the wax from the ear canal because:\n\n1. There is a risk of damaging the skin of the ear canal, which in turn can predispose the ear canal to infections.\n\n2. The wax maintains an acidic pH and thereby prevents bacterial growth, besides also preventing the inner parts of the ear from bacteria/dust etc. due to its sticky nature.\n\n3. If one pokes the Q-tip too deep, there is always the chance of damaging the tympanic membrane (the ear drum).
1039012
the water that gets trapped in your ear is really bad.. normally your ear works its magic and the water drips out, but if you cant get it out use an alcohol solution that will rinse the ear and then evaporate\n\nNEVER use a Qtip.. cause you can seriously hurt your inner ear
788346
Breathe dont stop - Q Tip
1146380
If they are blocked with earwax, then you can go to your local drugstore and buy stuff called Debrox - it's drops that you put in your ears that break up the wax. Just follow the directions on the bottle. If they're just "plugged up" from changes in pressure or sinus drainage, then pinch your nose and puff out your cheeks and then swallow to equalize the pressure. Whatever you do, DO NOT use Q-tips, because they'll just make it worse and could rupture your eardrum, resulting in hearing loss or even deafness. Hope this helps!
737831
Moisture in the ear can promote ear infections. Clean water from a shower is usually okay, but beware of bath or pool water.\n\nSo where is an ear, nose, and throat doctor pointing out the perils of having squeaky clean ear canals? Ear wax is there for a reason, and if you keep your ears constantly clean of it you will open yourself up to all sorts of ear infections and such. Not to mention the dangers of jamming things in your ears to clean it out... there is a reason Q-Tips say "Do not insert into ear canal" on the package...
442328
If you feel more comfortable that way, why not? I recommend you get some earplugs instead of cotton -- they will work better and are safer. You can buy them at big drugstores, in the safety equipment section. They are cheap.
843096
I have my ears pierce twice and it doesn't hurt that much. You will feel  a pinch for a few seconds that's all.
892300
Take a decongestant to start off with. Try to take them for a day or so to see if it help clear it out. As for the popping, you could try buying one of the ear canal cleaning kits to get everything out of there. The qtips just push it farther in and can also cause damage to your ear drum. The wax is supposed to naturally work its way out.  That said, I still use qtips, but I only clean around the very outer part of the ear canal and very carefully at that. If you feel any pain or the popping continues, see a doctor.
677566
well u can clean the outside part of your ear with ear-buds(q tips) but its wise not to probe further inside...it cleans by itself.. the dirt and all usually comes out while u are chewing or talking... but if you really can't resist the urge then,..... its your ears, do as u please. Ahem!, have u heard the song by lenny kravitz which goes like, "once u dig in, u find it comming thru the otherside..." lol
147484
I would not recommend it, it could damage your ears.  Many stores have drops that you can put in your ears and use an ear syringe to remove the soften wax.\n\nYou can also try a couple of drops of olive oil (but don’t use too much) to soften the wax.
142183
first try jumping up and down with your head cocked to the side so your ear pointed at the floor....next put some rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip and and rub it in each ear ... let it set and then use the other end the dry your ear...it safe i done this hudreds of times
96509
What? hahaha.. NO. It may cause your eardrum to be irritated, but it cannot in any way cause brain damage. Please slap whoever told you that!
34007
Some people have soft earwax, while others have hard, firm earwax. It can get irritating if it accumulates in the ear. You may hear a ringing sound, feel pressure in the ear, or have decreased hearing. I suggest you put 3 drops of baby or mineral oil in the affected ear while lying sideways (the affected ear is facing upwards). Rub the oil in the ear for 2-3 mins. then stand up. Let the oil flow out of the ear. Do this for a week. This will soften the earwax and it will move out slowly. Avoid using Q-tips as they will push the earwax further inside the ear. If the earwax is persistent, you may have to go to a doctor who will flush out the earwax using water and a tube that he inserts into the ear.
49965
The ear canal is shaped somewhat like an hourglass. The skin on the outer part of the canal has special glands that produce earwax. The purpose of this natural wax is to repel water and to trap dust and sand particles. Usually a small amount of wax accumulates, and then dries up and falls out of the ear canal caring with it unwanted particles. Ear wax is helpful in normal amounts and serves to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent. The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection.\n\nMost of the time the ear canals are self-cleaning, that is, there is a slow and orderly migration of ear canal skin from the eardrum to the outer opening. Old earwax is constantly being transported from the deeper areas of the ear canal to the opening where it usually dries, flakes, and falls out.\n\nJust to Help, please, do not use Q-tips, I mean Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear! Wax is not formed in the deep part of the ear canal near the eardrum, but only in the outer part of the canal. So when a patient has wax pushed up against the eardrum, it is often because he has been probing his ear with such things as Q-Tips.
8248
A remedy my mother used that seemed to work was to have me lay on my side and pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in my ear.  Then, after letting it sit for a couple of minutes, dab up the peroxide with tissue.  Poking Q-tips or anything else in your ear when it's inflamed will only make it worse.  I'm sure most would say visiting a doctor might be the best thing to do and in the interest of full disclosure, I'm not a doctor.  Good luck.  Hope your ear feels better soon!
109550
You may be pushing the Q Tip in too far.  It is dangerous to use stuff like that to clear your ears with, as if you do go in too far you can perforate/break your eardrum.  You could even push the wax in further causing more problems.  Believe me, as someone who is hard of hearing, you don't want to go down that road...it's no joke truly.\n\nIf you need to loosen earwax use warm olive oil and if that doesn't work, arrange to have your ears syringed by a doctor or nurse.  If you are still having problems now, then I truly think you should seek medical advice.\n\nPlease take care...you cannot replace your hearing. (hearing aids are no substitute for natural hearing)
327791
You may have an ear infection