Dr. Rajat Kesharwani

Avoid using ear buds to clean the ear, it is dangerous. The ear canal is akin to a curved tube closed at one end by a thin paper-like membrane (ear drum). The ear canal is narrow in the middle. Hence, complete cleaning of the ear with ear bud is not possible. Moreover, while cleaning with ear buds one is not able to see how it is going inside and where the ear bud is striking. An attempt at cleaning with an ear bud will remove the wax partially only and may also cause injury to the canal wall. The rest of the wax will be pushed more inside and will block the ear. The injury to canal wall may cause swelling or pain or both. It is also prone to accidental damage to the ear drum. Always get the ear wax cleaned by an expert.