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Salt water ear drops - do's and do-nots's

Posted , 4 users are following.

s45279
s45279

Hello

I have read that you can make a solution of water and salt, and place a few drops of this salt water solution into you ear to get rid of ear wax.

And some say you shouldn't do this as it can cause problems.

But you can make & put a few drops of a garlic and mustard oil mix into the ears.

So why is it Ok to do the one but not the other?

Thanks

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Olizzieo
    Olizzieo s45279

    Posted

    I have never heard an ENT suggest either of those mixtures and I expect that is because you shouldn't be putting solids in your ear.  Garlic, mustard and salt are solids that when dried out leave debris so I'm not sure where you have heard about these but I wouldn't use any of them. ENTs often say place olive oil in your ear to soften wax so that is what I would recommend. There are other very good sprays and drops that you can buy from a chemist that aren't as thick as olive oil so won't combine with the wax to block your ear up as easily.

  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee s45279

    Posted

    Agree with Olizzieo. Dont mess around with your ears by putting these home made mixtures in your ears...they will cause more problems and possibly irritation which could lead to infection.

    The only thing I have ever heard from an ENT consultant to help soften wax is a few drops of warm olive oil,and then leave for at least 24 hours before showering out. Dont poke cotton buds in your ears. Just wipe the outer ear with a clean tissue. Use separate tissues for each ear.

  • pizza_man
    pizza_man s45279

    Posted

    The proper mix is half warmwater and hydrogen peroxide. some folks have used garlic oil for ear infections, though not to clear on that one.
  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee s45279

    Posted

    Do not use hydrogen peroxide and water to get rid of ear wax...it will do nothing with the wax and could set up irritation. I repeat...warmed [do not overheat] olive oil dripped off a teaspoon is the only home remedy for earwax. If it is impacted then you may need professional syringing or microsuction.

    Diluted hydrogen peroxide is only suitable for an ear infection and it should be diagnosed first to establish the type of infection.

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