As humans, we're creatures of habit, meaning most of us already have a daily morning routine that we probably don't plan to change anytime soon. We brush our teeth, we shower and we clean our ears with a cotton swab. We know it's hard, but cleaning your ears with a cotton swab is a part of your routine that you should definitely consider giving up. Wondering how dangerous this habit can be? Here are five reasons you might want to stop cleaning your ears with cotton swabs.
Your ears are self-cleaning
It may be hard to believe that your wax-coated ears are already clean, but it's true. Unless your glands are producing excessive amounts of wax, you probably don't need to do much in the way of cleaning. Earwax is actually called cerumen. Made by your ears, this ear cleaning solution keeps them clean by trapping loose dust and debris so they don't get deeper into your ear canal. As you talk, chew and yawn all day, contaminated earwax moves down and out of the ear canal, where it can be easily wiped off with a washcloth.
Ear wax keeps your ears healthy
Ceramics are not only good for keeping dust and dirt out of your ears. It contains a mixture of long-chain fatty acids, enzymes, cholesterol, sebum, dead skin cells and other chemicals that help protect the ear from various factors. Cerumen is antimicrobial, meaning it protects your ears from viral, fungal and bacterial infections. In addition, the acidity hinders the growth of fungi and bacteria, the odor repels insects and keeps your ear canal lubricated and hydrated.
Using cotton swabs can cause hearing loss
This habit can lead to partial or total hearing loss. When you insert a cotton swab into the ear canal, contaminated, old earwax is pushed further into the canal, where it is compromised and causes hearing loss. If you do this every day, it is possible that the wax has been pushed so deep into your ear that it touches your eardrum, causing severe blockage, pain or a rupture.
You can injure yourself
According to research, many children end up in emergency rooms with cotton swab injuries. Despite the study being done in children, the authors noted that it is risky to use cotton swabs for all age groups. The most common injuries were part of the swab getting stuck in the ear canal and a perforated eardrum.
You can dry out your ears
As mentioned earlier, earwax keeps your ears healthy and lubricated. Removing too much wax can leave your ears dry, itchy, and irritated. You are also more prone to infections and anyone who has had an ear infection can tell you why you don't want that.
