Many people consider using cotton swabs to clean their ears to be safe and common practice.
However, this simple procedure can have unexpected consequences for the health of your ear canal and hearing.
Risk of damage to the ear canal
Using cotton swabs to clean your ears can cause damage to the ear canal.
Cotton swabs, despite their softness, can injure the skin inside the ear, causing microcracks and irritation.
Frequent use can lead to inflammation and even infections, as damaged skin becomes vulnerable to bacteria.
Removal of the ear's natural protection
Earwax serves an important function: it protects the ears from dust, dirt and microorganisms.
Excessive use of cotton swabs removes this protective layer, increasing the risk of infection.
It is important to remember that ears are self-cleaning and intervention is often counterproductive.
Formation of sulfur plugs
When a cotton swab goes deep into the ear canal, it can push wax inside, creating wax plugs.
These plugs can cause discomfort, ear congestion, and in some cases even temporary hearing loss.
The problem is also that removing earwax on your own can make the situation worse and damage the eardrum.
Alternative methods of ear care
To avoid negative consequences, it is better to use safe ear care methods.
Doctors recommend rinsing the ears with special solutions or using soft ear drops that promote natural cleaning of the ears.
