Home care for cerumen impaction includes:
- Ear wax removal kit
- Ear drops that dissolve ear wax
- Bulb syringe:
To remove earwax:
- You may irrigate the ear with a rubber bulb syringe from an ear wax removal kit.
- Nonprescription eardrops soften and dissolve ear wax. Use the eardrops one hour before irrigating the ear with a bulb syringe.
- Keep your head upright while you irrigate the ear. Grasp the external ear and gently pull upward and back.
- Using the bulb syringe, gently direct a stream of lukewarm water into the ear canal. Tip the head and allow the water to drain from the ear. Do not suction the ear canal; this can cause damage to the eardrum. Stop the procedure and see your doctor if you have pain during irrigation. Do not use a water jet irrigator such as a Waterpik.
- If unsuccessful, use the eardrops again. Wait 20 to 30 minutes before irrigating the ear again.
- After the wax is removed, dry the ear with a towel.
Remember:
- Never irrigate your ear if you have an earache.
- Never irrigate water into the ear if there is a hole in the eardrum or tubes in the ears.
- Clean the ears with a washcloth only: do not put cotton swabs into the ear canal.
