Sulfur plugs often occur in people of any age. It must be removed from the ear canal, otherwise, in addition to hearing loss, other complications of the pathology will begin to develop. In addition to medical methods for removing a lump of compacted wax by washing the ear canal, using a vacuum device or a special instrument, there are also a number of medications that help with the problem. It is best, of course, to visit a doctor if there is a problem, but, as a last resort, you can try to use these medications yourself, but only taking into account all the contraindications.
Normally, wax, which is produced in the ear to cleanse the ear canal of bacteria, viruses, dust and foreign bodies, is itself released when a person chews, yawns or talks. If this process is disrupted, the secretion begins to accumulate in the ear cavity and is gradually compacted, which ultimately leads to the formation of a dense lump that completely blocks the canal and causes hearing loss and discomfort in the ear. The main reason for the development of a plug is improper ear hygiene, when cotton swabs or matches wrapped in cotton are used. They only push the secretion into the depths of the ear and compact it there, making its natural release impossible.
How to remove a cork at home
Removing ear plugs at home is a last resort, which can be resorted to only if there is no way to visit a doctor. If, after several attempts, a positive result has not been achieved, treatment on your own must be stopped and you must find an opportunity to contact an otolaryngologist.
There are three ways to remove a lump of wax from your ear yourself:
- washing the ear canal using an antiseptic solution and a syringe without a needle;
- phytocandles for sulfur plugs - they create a vacuum effect and thanks to this, like a vacuum cleaner, they pull out the plug;
- drops from earwax plugs - a special composition allows you to soften and dissolve the plug, after which it will be removed from the ear.
If these procedures are carried out carefully, they cannot cause harm. Unfortunately, if the plug is very dense, it may not be possible to remove it using home remedies. This phenomenon is most often observed if the lump is in the ear cavity for a very long time, or if it consists not of compacted wax, but of crumpled desquamated epithelial cells. In the latter case, the formation is tightly connected to the walls of the ear canal, and therefore removal of such a lump is possible only by a doctor using local anesthesia and further antiseptic treatment of damage to the ear mucosa.
Prevention
Carrying out regular preventative measures will minimize the likelihood of wax plugs. It is necessary to keep the ear canals clean and regularly remove secretions. Cotton swabs should not be used. Such household items can compact wax and clog the ear canal, damage the upper layers of the epidermis and cause inflammation.
Cosmetic cotton swabs are most often used after water procedures: washing hair, washing in the shower, taking a bath. A cotton swab is not able to dry the ears, but warm boric alcohol accelerates the evaporation of water. It is enough to drop 4-5 drops of the product into each passage, then lower your head and dry your ears with a towel, napkin or cotton sponge, wrapping the material around your little finger.
A cosmetic cotton swab can be used for delicate cleaning; you can wipe only the outer part of the ear canal, without going deeper than 4 mm. The vestibule should be cleaned using gentle circular movements.
If you suspect an ear plug, the right decision would be to visit the hospital. Specialists from the Diamed medical institution will perform an otoscopy, assess the condition of the canal, and, if necessary, remove the ear plug. Such procedures are safe, performed in a comfortable environment, and do not cause complications.
Drops
Drops for removing wax plugs from the ears are the gentlest and safest remedy for people of any age. There are medications even for children from birth. The only limitation to the use of such a remedy is the violation of the integrity of the eardrum. There are several of the most popular drugs that are extremely easy to use and effective in most cases. When an accumulation of wax appears in the ear, you should pay attention to the following compounds:
- Remo-Vax - these drops are capable of dissolving even fairly hard caked plugs that are not susceptible to other drops. In this case, the plug is released in parts without any damage to the ear tissue. Using the drug is completely painless and does not cause any discomfort. The main composition of the drops is penetrants, which quickly dissolve dead skin particles in the plug and dilute the sulfur. The drug also contains substances that help to thoroughly moisturize the ear canal and wash out particles of plug from it. There are no aggressive components or antibiotics in the drug, which makes it safe and mild;
- Vaxol - these drops not only help dissolve the wax plug, but also prevent its reappearance. The main composition of the drug is medical olive oil, which not only softens and removes the plug, but also moisturizes the ear canal, and also softens the tissue, restoring the proper functioning of the glands that produce sulfur. It will take at least 5 days to use such drops for a traffic jam. For prevention, it is enough to use the product 2-3 times a week. One bottle of the drug is enough for 200 instillations;
- A-Cerumen - drops that carefully remove plugs and are suitable even for small children. For adults, this medicine will also be useful if a lump of sulfur appears. Dissolution of the foreign body occurs due to the presence of surfactants in the composition. The drug also has a moisturizing and softening effect. Using the product, like other drops, is easy.
It will take some time to remove the plug using drops. The cork cannot be removed with drops in one day. On average, it takes from 2 to 5 days to achieve a therapeutic effect. Every day, once or twice a day, depending on the instructions, drops are placed in the ear and left for 3 minutes or more, in accordance with the instructions for the drug. During this time, the patient should lie on his side with the blocked ear facing upward. After the required time has passed, you should apply a piece of clean cotton wool to your ear and stand up, tilting your head towards the dripped ear. Drops containing parts of the dissolved plug will flow out. Several such procedures will help clean the ear canal completely. If you are prone to the formation of traffic jams, it is useful to use drops for prevention. Often, drops in the ear to dissolve wax plugs can also be prescribed to care for the ears of infants.
Methods for removing an ear plug
You need to know that you can safely get rid of a “clog” in your ear only in a medical facility. The specialist will examine the ear canal, study the patient’s complaints and be able to make a diagnosis. When examining an organ, doctors use a light source (flashlight) and a special funnel.
To remove earwax and get rid of congestion, doctors in modern clinics use two methods:
- “Wet” is a common technique in which a syringe or a nozzle from an ENT combine is inserted into the ear canal, into which liquid is supplied under pressure. The conglomerate is washed out.
- “Dry” - the doctor works with a tiny hook, grabbing and pulling out lumps in parts. The procedure is carried out without wetting the canal. It is necessary to constantly monitor the process, act with extreme caution and have high qualifications. Any sudden movement can damage the eardrum.
Phytocandles or funnels
This medicine for wax plugs can be bought at a pharmacy. When used correctly, it will not cause any discomfort and will not only remove the plug from the ear, but will also prevent the development of inflammation, and will also have a calming effect on the nervous system. The funnel, which is also called a candle, during the combustion process will create the necessary draft to remove the plug and will warm up the sore ear. It is useful to use this remedy not only for traffic jams, but also for inflammation, when heating is allowed. Candles can improve the health of the ear, but only if there is no purulent process, damage to the ear canal, damage to the integrity of the eardrum, otitis, fungal infection or allergy to wax.
The patient lies on his side with the ear in which the plug is located facing up. They cover his head with a cloth so that only his ear is exposed. A phyto-funnel (phyto-candle) is inserted into the auditory canal with its narrow end and set on fire. The cut should burn to the level marked on it by the manufacturer. They extinguish it in water, preventing it from burning any more. If you unwrap the rest of the candle, you will see an elongated plug in it. Thanks to the heat, the wax softens well, and the vacuum effect removes it from the ear canal. This procedure also helps improve nasal breathing, which is useful for viral infections.
How to understand that there is a wax plug in the ear, and how to get rid of it?
Earwax is an excessive accumulation of secretion from the sulfur glands, which leads to blockage of the ear canal.
The process of earwax formation itself is a physiologically normal condition. But when the amount of sulfur produced increases significantly, this leads to various unpleasant symptoms. This problem most often occurs in children, people who use hearing aids, and who do not clean their ears properly. It is impossible to get rid of wax plugs on your own; in this case, you only need to consult a doctor.
Hydrogen peroxide
In most cases, hydrogen peroxide can even cope with a dense plug, which requires strong softening, which a phytocandle is not capable of. The use of this remedy may not be very pleasant, as it often causes discomfort and burning, but it is effective and helps prevent infection. In addition to a 3% peroxide solution, cotton wool is required for the procedure.
The patient lies on his side with the blocked ear up and pours a few drops of peroxide into it. It is required to remain in this position for a quarter of an hour. This time is enough to dissolve the plug. During this process, hissing and foam formation occur. It is also possible that severe deafness may occur, which should not frighten you - your hearing will return after the plug is removed. When the effect of the peroxide ends, the patient, applying cotton wool to his ear, turns over to the other side and allows the liquid to flow out. If the plug is not completely removed, then the antiseptic is refilled. The sulfur plug and peroxide usually come out quickly after this.
Allowed self-medication
The pathological condition of the ear canal causes discomfort in the patient, so many try to be treated at home. Incorrect treatment will not help get rid of the problem, but can cause additional negative effects. When using cotton swabs, toothpicks, matches and other long thin objects, serious complications can develop. The secretion of the sulfur glands does not come out, but is pushed even deeper. As a result, the problem worsens and unpleasant symptoms intensify.
If there is no fever or pain, you can try to get rid of the plug without visiting the hospital. To dissolve it, medicinal drops and pharmaceutical solutions are used. “A-Cerumen” or “Remo-vax”, 3% hydrogen peroxide are popular remedies that can help in this situation. They should be used strictly according to the instructions. Pharmacists can offer herbal suppositories or herbal funnels, however, these drugs can aggravate the process and their use is not recommended.
Washing
The procedure is carried out using a large-volume syringe, as well as saline or antiseptic solution. The second option is better, as it will prevent inflammation from occurring due to infection. As an antiseptic solution for washing, it is best to use a weak solution of manganese or a solution of furatsilin, prepared at the rate of 2 tablets per 1 liter of water.
Before washing the ear, wipe it with chlorhexidine. After this, bending over the sink with the affected ear down, pour liquid into it in small portions. There should be no pain during this procedure. When it appears, rinsing is stopped immediately. If it is not possible to wash the cork three times, stop trying to remove it on your own.
Symptoms
The clinical picture of wax plug can be asymptomatic for a long time and appear only when the external auditory canal is completely closed. Symptoms of this condition include:
- hearing loss, noise and congestion in the ears;
- headache, dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting not associated with food intake;
- pain in the ear area;
- dry cough;
- in severe cases, cardiac dysfunction and epileptic seizures are possible.
Treatment of inflammation
Having determined why there is no wax in the ears, treatment is prescribed immediately.
Having identified the symptoms and causes of inflammation and lack of sulfur, it is necessary to begin treatment.
However, it is worth knowing that gland dysfunction can be caused by staphylococcus or ear fungus. It is for this reason that it is first necessary to undergo examination and examination by an ENT doctor.
In this case, the patient is prescribed specialized antibiotics and antifungal medications. In addition, the patient should use anti-inflammatory medications to prevent recurrence of the disease.
To alleviate the patient's general condition, emollient ointments are prescribed.
In addition, the patient is prescribed local treatment and physiotherapeutic procedures. Diagnostics of cells and skin in general is also prescribed.
In more severe cases, such as tumors, surgery is prescribed.
Keep in mind that if the patient has a congenital problem of lack of discharge, do not ignore it . In this case, the patient is prescribed daily emollient ointments. They will help the hearing organ work without disturbances and compensate for the lack of secretions.
The selection of the product is carried out exclusively by a qualified doctor.
