You’ve seen it on Tiktok. You’ve seen it on Facebook. This little miracle worker had gone viral back in 2019 and has garnered a huge cult following because of how convenient and cost effective they are.
But how exactly do ear candles work?
The ear wax candle supposedly melts your ear wax. The candle then creates a vacuum then viola! Your ear wax miraculously comes up to the surface and into the ear candle.
“Ear candles are often advertised as a home alternative to getting your ears cleaned by an ENT doctor.”
But despite numerous testimonials by social media users, Ear candling has been found ineffective and potentially dangerous. Researchers have debunked multiple claims and have shown solid proof that ear candles, in fact, do not clear your ears at all.
If anything, it causes further damage. To better understand how risky it is to use an ear candle, here are a few side effects
Pushes your ear wax deeper
Unless you are being treated by a doctor, you should absolutely avoid sticking anything inside your ear canal, even cotton buds. This will only push your ear wax deeper into your ear canal.
This also compresses your built up wax and makes it harder for your ear to naturally excrete it. This will only cause you to suffer hearing problems in the long run.
Ruptures your eardrum
Studies have found that the “vacuum” of an ear candle is not enough to pull out the earwax. In addition, the gooey, crusty remnants of whatever was taken out during candling is actually from the ear candle itself.
It has been proven that ear candles don’t produce any suction. Even if they did have the capability of creating a large amount of suction power, it would only rupture your eardrum.
Even if the ear candle causes minimal damage to your ear, it can be the reason for your hearing loss. Continued use of an ear candle, with frequent ear canal penetration,
Burns your skin.
Normally, hot wax (depending on the temperature) does not scald the thicker parts of your skin. The face and ears, however, have a very thin layer of skin and thus are extremely sensitive to anything beyond normal body temperature.
Hot wax from the candle can cause painful burns on your face and scalp. Even with plates and protective coverings, wax can still drip down the candle and into the ear.
Adds more blockage
As the candle burns, it can leave wax inside your ear canal. If you’re already suffering from earwax blockage, this is just exacerbating the problem. Some people actually experience worsening ear aches after getting their ears candled.
Puncturing your eardrum.
If the candle is pushed in too far or hot wax drips into the ear, it can cause damage to your eardrum and leave you with serious hearing problems. Chances are if a home remedy involves putting foreign objects like candles in your ear, it’s a bad idea. You should never stick anything into your ear canal.
If you have fallen victim to the ear candling trend and are suffering from any of these symptoms, it is highly advisable that you consult your nearest ENT doctor.
You can contact Hearing Solutions for an appointment via our Facebook page or message us at 0932 788 1168.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-safety/ear-candling
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/what-is-ear-candling
