Should You Use Hydrogen Peroxide in Your Ears?
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
Jake Newby is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue...
Key Takeaways
- Most health experts recommend leaving your earwax alone, as the ears are designed to be self-cleaning.
- Hydrogen peroxide can be a safe option to remove excess earwax – which can trap water in your ear, but only in certain situations and with proper use.
- However, Using too much hydrogen peroxide in ears – or using it too often – can irritate delicate skin inside the ear canal.
- Talk to your primary care provider before attempting to clean your ears with any solution. To get the full scope of your ear health, your PCP may refer you to an Ears, Nose and Throat specialist.
Did you know that cotton swabs were not invented to rid your ears of earwax, yet the vast majority of adults in the United States use them for precisely that purpose?
Taking matters into our own ears can sometimes lead to more harm than good – whether that be with cotton swabs or by placing hydrogen peroxide in your ear. Let’s look at how to safely remove earwax, and whether hydrogen peroxide or any other cleaning tool or solution belongs in your routine.
What happens if you never clean your ears?
This may sound surprising, but by and large, health experts recommend leaving your earwax alone, as the ears are designed to be self-cleaning. Earwax – known clinically as “cerumen” is produced within the ear canal and naturally migrates from deeper inside to outside, according to Harvard Health. It plays an important role in our bodily function by trapping debris, preventing infection and keeping the ear canal lubricated. Over time, natural jaw movements like chewing help push wax out of the ear on its own.
Since this is a productive process, most people don’t need to clean their ears at all. When you do notice wax, it’s often already on its way out. So, which circumstances call for a cleaning solution?
Can you put hydrogen peroxide in your ear?
Hydrogen peroxide can be a safe option to remove excess earwax – which can trap water in your ear, according to the Cleveland Clinic – but only in certain situations and with proper use. Many over-the-counter ear drops contain a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, typically under 3%. These solutions work by releasing oxygen, which creates a fizzing action that softens, loosens, dissolves and breaks down earwax, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Medical experts say it can be effective for occasional buildup. However, it can still be risky. Using too much hydrogen peroxide in ears – or using it too often – can irritate delicate skin inside the ear canal. It’s important to note that specific hydrogen peroxide solution made directly for cleaning your ears is available over the counter. It contains a different solution that may be more gentle on the ears.
Either way, talk to your primary care provider (PCP) before attempting to clean your ears with any solution. It's important to get the full scope of your ear health before turning to chemicals. To do this, your PCP may refer you to an Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist.
Always avoid chemicals if you have an ear infection, a history of ear infections or ear surgeries, a perforated eardrum or ear tubes, as it can cause harm and pain in these instances.
If you are cleared by your PCP/ENT specialist to use hydrogen peroxide to remove mild buildup from your ears, be sure to use it sparingly. Here are the steps to take:
- Fill an ear dropper until it is half full of hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply it to the affected ear.
- Let it sit briefly while it bubbles and fizzes.
- Tilt your head to let it drain out.
The MD Anderson Cancer Center recommends using this method before a shower, so agents won’t get on your clothes and any remaining solution can rinse away easily.
Hydrogen peroxide can be a helpful, short-term solution for softening earwax, but it’s not something most people need regularly, so be sure to avoid frequent or daily use and remember.
Why cotton swabs are not a solution
Despite their name, cotton swabs (like Q-tips) weren’t designed to clean inside your ears — and doctors advise against using them that way. Instead of removing wax, they often push it deeper into the ear canal, according to research, increasing the risk of impaction or even damaging the eardrum.
Overall, if you feel like you need to lend your body an assist in cleaning out your ears, it’s best to stick to cleaning only your outer ear with a damp cloth and letting your body handle the rest.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Continue reading:
