Graft in ear Pay attention to cotton buds

Graft in the ear? Cotton swabs hurt more than they use

05/15/2012

Many say they do something good for their ears when they thoroughly clean their ears once a week with cotton swabs. But they are a long way off: Repeated use of cotton swabs prevents the process of self-cleaning and leads to blockages rather than cleansing - this is indicated by the "HNOnet-NRW", an association of established ENT doctors in North Rhine-Westphalia. These in turn often lead to ear wax plugs, which sometimes lead to hearing loss, pressure feelings, earache, itching, ear noise and dizziness.

In the outer part of the ear canal there are sebaceous glands and hair follicles, whose yellowish secretions together with dead skin scales form earwax. This serves as a protective film for the sensitive skin in the ear canal and has a bactericidal effect. In a graft earwax accumulates and narrows the external auditory canal. On contact with water, these accumulations swell and may then completely block the ear canal. „Under no circumstances try to remove the wax plug with a sharp object! The risk of injuring the eardrum or ear canal is simply too great“, warns Uso Walter, ear, nose and throat doctor and CEO of HNOnet-NRW. „Instead, try to rinse gently with lukewarm water to dissolve the plug.“ Does not work this necessarily an ENT doctor, who then makes an ear flush. In most cases, it is possible to solve the graft with a targeted jet of water from a special ear syringe. If he sits too tightly, the expert softens him up before the next flush with appropriate ear drops. In particularly stubborn cases, however, the malefactor can be removed only under visual inspection with a so-called ear curette or with a special ear vacuum cleaner.

Basically, to rely on the self-cleaning function of the ears and earwax not devaluate as annoying pollution. Most important rule: Do not clean further than with a cloth or a finger. „Who pushes cotton swabs too far into the ear, may cause irreparable damage. Dry ear canal skin can be cared for with a few drops of olive oil every few days“, clarifies Walter. However, some people are prone to more earwax production. A regular visit to the ENT specialist, who professionally cleans the ear can help. (Pm)