Whether to relieve an itch or discomfort, or to clean their ears daily, many people use cotton swabs. However, it is also common to see warnings about the product’s lack of efficiency or even dangers. After all, can you use a cotton swab or not?
To use a cotton swab or not? that is the question
According to audiologist Ariane Gonçalves, from the AudioFisa clinic, hearing specialist and author of the book Uncomplicating Hearing Loss, cotton swabs can be useful for removing wax visible on the outside of the ear.
“However, they are not recommended for insertion into the ear canal, as they can push the wax further in, cause damage to the eardrum or even lead to infections. Therefore, its use for internal ear cleaning is not recommended”, highlights the specialist.
How to clean your ears?
According to her, the best way to clean your ears is through external methods, such as gently cleaning with a damp towel around the ear. “Earwax naturally migrates out of the ear canal, so it is enough to clean it when it is visible on the outside. It is important to avoid using sharp objects or cotton swabs into the ear”, highlights the audiologist.
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