Do you use Q-Tips?

[Tinijocaro]

Wax works it's way out naturally in most cases. I take a kleenex and my finger and just get anything that may be near the edge. Some earwax is beneficial for the ear canal.

"We wax our tables and we wax our cars in order to protect the surface. That is exactly one of the functions of earwax (cerumen). A waxy surface repels water -- it will bead up and the water will not adhere. Another protective function of earwax is preventing infection. Earwax is acidic, and bacteria does not thrive in an acid environment. If you take out the wax, you change the acidity of the ear canal lining and you are asking for an infection. If you take out earwax every few days, or even after every shower, your body will just make more and more. Why? Because it is supposed to be there. You should no more remove all of the saliva from your mouth, or the tears from your eyes, than remove the wax from your ears.

Ears are self-cleaning (just like the eyes or nose). By gravity and body heat, the wax will gradually make it to the opening where you can wipe if off with a washcloth or rinse it away in the shower. That is all you really need to do with earwax. "

 

[ddp9000]

I've been using q-tips my entire life... no problems yet!

 

[MichelleVW]

I said above that I do not use them for my ears, but I also don't have any weird feeling after a shower or any indication that I NEED to use them in my ears. I wonder if I am less waxy than those who use them? Or maybe its one of those things that perpetuates itself...the more you use, the more you need to use, that kind of thing?

Same here, I just got out of the shower and I don't feel any water in my ears.

 

[LadyKay]

I do use them, however...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/02/05/qc-coroner-report-cottonswab0205.html?ref=rss

 

[Momvic5]

every.day.of.my.life

 

[Robmom]

I have used them all my life every few days. I don't put it in too far, just enough to remove the little bit of wax that is there. I have never had a problem with pushing wax in further. I use safety ones for my DS.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I said above that I do not use them for my ears, but I also don't have any weird feeling after a shower or any indication that I NEED to use them in my ears. I wonder if I am less waxy than those who use them? Or maybe its one of those things that perpetuates itself...the more you use, the more you need to use, that kind of thing?

How do you keep water out of your ears when you shower? Or maybe some people just feel the water in their ears more? I'm not perpetuating anything by using Q-tips...I was just at the Dr's and don't have any wax issues, and I never did. I see very little wax on a Q-tip after use...it's the water from the shower that it's soaking up. My ears aren't more waxy than non-Q-tippers.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I use them. I have allergies and my ears get so itchy inside, I have to scratch them or I'll go nuts!

I've never had a problem, but I'm careful with them.

 

[si-am]

No. Every doctor I've ever visited has said it's a bad idea.

 

[mtemm]

How do you keep water out of your ears when you shower? Or maybe some people just feel the water in their ears more? I'm not perpetuating anything by using Q-tips...I was just at the Dr's and don't have any wax issues, and I never did. I see very little wax on a Q-tip after use...it's the water from the shower that it's soaking up. My ears aren't more waxy than non-Q-tippers.

honestly I don't feel water in my ears when I shower or after I get out. maybe ears vary?

not saying you perpetuate it, just was wondering outloud if that might be a reason. but maybe its as simple as different anatomical ear designs?

 

[Cat0727]

I only use them for makeup, nails, etc. Never in my ears. You speak to any audiologist about it and they'll all say it's a no-no. I clean my ears with a tissue over my finger after i get out of the shower. Works just fine.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Makeup and ears, not really to clean them but to scratch because I get weird itchy allergy ears every once in a while like Liberty Belle. I also make them into a fan shape to clean out DS's ears with a swirling motion, he gets a buildup that been an issue his whole life but this seems to work for him so far.

 

[indimom]

Every day, my entire life. I have a thing about ear wax. EEWWW.
I can't miss a day or my ears itch and it drives me nuts.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

Every day, my entire life. I have a thing about ear wax. EEWWW.
I can't miss a day or my ears itch and it drives me nuts.

I'm the same way. I'm really OCD about my ears being clean.

 

[dislaney]

I use q-tips everyday too! I know your really not supposed to but I can't stand the feeling when I don't. I've never had to have the wax removed by the doctor but I do have a family member who gets that done regularly. I know they don't use q-tips.

 

[Kellydelly]

I do use them in my ears, and I do agree that maybe I feel the need to stick one in there because I have been doing it so long my inner ears are now very sensitive to water, air, etc. Maybe it is a self-perpetuated need or feeling. I am surprised nobody brought up the tickle factor . It feels good to stick a q-tip in there! It has to be a real q-tip, cheap store brands with plastic sticks do not work.

 

[MomofKatie]

How do you keep water out of your ears when you shower?

I always lean my head back and look at the ceiling when rinsing my hair. When not washing my hair, I keep my head free of the spray. I never get water in my ears from the shower.

I do use a Q Tip every once in a while, but try not to put it inside the ear canal- I have had wax impaction problems in the past. Just around the outside of the ear.

 

[desertgirl]

I use them, but not for my ears. I am an artist and use them to pick up excess paint or a mistake. I go through a lot!

 

[Maridw]

I have used them for years. I use them when I get out of the shower or when my ear starts to itch. I have never had a problem with wax buildup. I rarely have ear aches or ear infections.

My best friend never uses Q-tips in her ears and has always had trouble with ear wax buildup. She constantly has ear problems.

I agree that they have to be the actual Q-tip brand. The others don't have enough cotton on the ends.