Ear candles how do they work

Instead, they have received reports of people who experienced these negative effects from using ear candles:. Ear candling can be especially dangerous for small children. The FDA notes that children and babies are at increased risk of injuries and complications from ear candles. Although some people go through the process of ear candling without significant injury, the practice requires time and money. Ask your doctor about methods other than ear candling for removing wax buildup.

Often, your doctor can arrange a flushing that can remove earwax. If you need more than this, you might try the following:. If you have any other problems with your ears, you should make an appointment with an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in conditions of the ears, nose, and throat.

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List of Partners vendors. Best known as an alternative approach for earwax cerumen removal , ear candling involves placing a hollow, wax-covered candle in the ear. Proponents claim that lighting one end of the cone creates a suction that pulls earwax out of the ear.

Ear candles also called ear cones or auricular candles are hollow tubes that are approximately 10 inches long. They are made of cotton or linen that has been wound tightly into a cone shape, soaked in beeswax, paraffin, or soy wax, and allowed to harden.

During an ear candling session, you lie down on one side with the ear to be treated facing up. The pointed end of the ear candle is usually inserted into a hole in a paper or foil plate meant to catch any dripping wax and then into the external ear canal. The candle is lit at the opposite end and held as the healthcare provider trims away the burnt material while the candle is burning. After several minutes or when the candle stub is several inches from your head , the treatment ends and the ear candle stub is removed and extinguished.

The outer ear is wiped clean with a cotton ball or pad. According to advocates of ear candling, the hollow cones create a low-level vacuum that softens and draws earwax and impurities out of the ear and into the hollow candles. After the procedure, a dark, waxy substance is sometimes left in the hollow candle stub. Proponents claim that the waxy substance is earwax and other debris, however, critics of ear candling contend that the substance that remains after ear candling is a byproduct of the candles.

A study published in the journal Laryngoscope tested the theory and found ear candles did not produce a vacuum or negative pressure and that the waxy remains consisted of substances found in candle wax but not in ear wax. The study also found that ear candling did not result in the removal of earwax from the ear canal and even caused candle wax to be deposited in some ears.

Some proponents of ear candling claim that ear candling can treat sinusitis , sinus pain, tinnitus , vertigo , and otitis media. Other manufacturers claim that smoke from the burning candles dries out the ear canal and stimulates the body's natural excretion of wax and dead cells, pollen, mold, parasites, and other debris.

There is no evidence supporting these claims. Serious potential risks involved in ear candling include:. The most frequently reported adverse effect of ear candling is a burn, either from the candle flame or from the hot wax. In a case report published in Canadian Family Physician , a year old woman had pieces of candle wax in her ear, a perforation in her eardrum, and hearing loss after an ear candling session. The healthcare provider had spilled melted candle wax into her ear when attempting to remove the candle.

The authors of the case report concluded that ear candling "can do more harm than good and we recommend that GPs discourage its use. People with existing tympanic membrane perforation should not try ear candling. Children and babies are at increased risk of injuries and complications. Some healthcare providers use the paper or foil plate to catch dripping wax. Some also use a towel or cloth for additional protection against any dripping wax.

Even with these precautions, however, there are serious risks. There is also the risk that lit ear candles can start a fire. There is no evidence supporting the effectiveness of ear candling, and it can cause burns and damage to the ears and skin.

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology guidelines, based on the evidence, "Clinicians should recommend against ear candling for treating or preventing cerumen impaction. Schedule an Appointment Pay Online. What is Ear Candling? Earwax Candles, do They Work? Spoiler alert: No. What is Earwax Candling? Scientific research has never been able to prove any benefit involving earwax candling. Seriously, you may burn down your house.

Your ear can be badly burned. When melted candle wax goes into your ear, it can result in serious hearing problems and burns. This could permanently jeopardize your hearing in the most severe cases. Once the wax cools down it can clog your ear canal. You could wind up temporarily losing your hearing or even requiring surgery in extreme cases. The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.