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The Pharmacist Answers Podcast

Ear Wax Removal

Your health is probably one of the most important things to you. Yet it can be one of the most complicated things to understand. Our bodies are meant to work a certain way, but when they don't, we may never be 100% sure why or what to do about it - even after seeing a healthcare professional.

The Pharmacist Answers Podcast is hosted by Cynthia Hendrix, PharmD. On the Podcast, you can learn the basics of body parts and organ groups, get a glimpse of how disease processes work, and learn some practical steps to take in your own flesh and blood relationships with healthcare providers.

Everyone's health story is different. No one is truly a "textbook case". You need someone who sees your uniqueness and help you gain the knowledge and confidence to have conversations, ask questions, and make decisions that are right for YOU!

*The Podcast started out as live conversations on Periscope.

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Ear Wax Removal

Aug 17, 2015

Ear Wax Basics

Ear wax is produced by your ear to keep junk out and away from your ear drum - like a slimey booby-trap.

Allergens and other things that go in your ears (like water, especially dirty water, like lake water) causes the production of ear wax to increase to the point it can become a problem.

When you swim under water, the deeper you go, the harder the pressure of that water pushing down on you gets, including the pressure of the water pushing in your ear. This pressure can smoosh wax up against your eardrum.

A quick tip to get water out of your ear - use a capful of rubbing alcohol. Alcohol evaporates quickly at room temperature, so when it mixes with the tiny amount of water in your ear, it helps that water evaporate faster.

Three Steps Ear Wax Removal (or maybe four)

1. Debrox (Carbamide Peroxide) - This is an OTC drop that helps dissolve ear wax if you have ear wax buildup. It can also soften an impaction (glob of wax smooshed against ear drum).

2. Take a hot shower. Ear wax - just like other waxes - when it gets warm, it will soften.

3. Irrigation with an ear bulb

1. Fill sink up with comfortably warm water.

2. Fill bulb with water.

3. Point affected ear down towards sink.

4. Put tip of bulb in your ear.

5. Squeeze water into ear and let water and wax drain back out.

4. Use a capful of alcohol to dry water droplets left over (optional)

NO EAR CANDLES!!