This is why cotton earbuds should be abandoned

According to guidelines issued by the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the Foundation for Head and Neck Surgery, experts advise against the use of cotton-tipped earphones. For the reasons cited by d. Robert Schmirling, in Harvard Health Magazine, as follows:

1 – Not necessary

The ear is self-cleaning, no routine cleaning with swabs in the ear is needed to remove or prevent earwax buildup. Earwax is produced inside the ear canal and naturally moves from the inside out. But there are exceptions, as some people produce an above average amount of ear wax, and for others (especially the elderly) it becomes harder and drier than usual, even in these cases inserting a tampon inside the ear is not an adequate solution.

2 – It can be harmful

Inserting a cotton ball (or something else) into the ear can damage the ear canal or eardrum or push the earwax away into the canal, making it more difficult to remove. This can cause pressure on the ear and hearing problems. Worse still, the lumps of wax that are pushed close to the eardrum can cause painful infections in the ear.

3 – Earwax is not bad

Earwax is the medical term “earwax” and exists for good reasons:

A natural moisturizer that prevents the skin inside the ear from becoming too dry.

■ Traps dirt and dust before they reach the depth of the channel.

■ Absorbs dead cells and skin impurities.

It prevents bacteria and other infectious organisms from reaching the inner ear.

Some people produce more earwax, while others produce less, so the composition of earwax varies with race, age, environment, and even diet, while there appears to be another factor associated with ear pollution, but it’s not a reflection of dirt. In fact, it’s a sign of normal, healthy ears.

What do you do if the wax turns into “glue”?

The buildup of ear wax can cause symptoms. When this happens, doctors call it “gum” and recommend using over-the-counter ear drops that can soften the gum and make it faint more easily (with gentle irrigation, for example, while showering).

Or a healthcare professional can look inside the ear and use specially designed tools to remove earwax.

Although the cotton swab companies have put a warning on the package: “Do not insert the swab into the ear canal. “Getting into the ear canal can cause an infection.”

Many people are used to using it in this harmful way, it can be a habit, an imitation or nobody reads the labels of the products they use. But it’s time to put an end to this bad habit.