Does Anyone Ever Use Ear Candles?

Updated on November 11, 2013
J.N. asks from Lafayette Hill, PA
16 answers

Hi we occasionally use ear candles. I used them on my two younder children recently for the first time. Both kids have impacted ear wax ..more in more ear then the other ear. How often do you use them? My one child had about 8 small impacted balls of wax in his one ear. My other child had a massive piece of wax in ear.

I am prone to ears problems..sinus issues. occasional wax issues with myself...just wondering if anyone else uses them.

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I always use a hydrogen peroxide/water solution in the ear canal to clear up any ear wax buildup. A few drops in, wait several minutes, and flush out in the shower. It's very effective. I have done this with my kids, also and was amazed at the wax that came out!
I don't know about those ear candles- I've heard they can dangerous and are not known to be that effective. I would afraid to use them on myself or my kids.

2 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Impacted wax should be removed by an ENT. The last thing you want to do is damage the ear drum.

We use Debrox every once in awhile. Works like a charm.

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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I'm glad people below are confirming my belief that they are a gimmick. Hydrogen peroxide and/or ear-cleaning kits from the pharmacy are probably your best bet. In severe cases, wax can be removed by a doctor.

I'm wondering if all this stuff that is coming out of your kids' ears could be from the candle itself, because the whole ear candle thing makes no sense.

4 moms found this helpful

V.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

My husband had a terrible issue with his ears being stopped up/closed up once after a head cold. He is an air traffic controller, so he HAS to be able to hear perfectly or he MUST use sick leave. He couldn't hear.

He was desperate and we tried an ear candle, once. It did absolutely nothing, and we almost caught the house on fire in the process. I have read since then that they are a total waste and danger, not just dangerous to your home but dripping hot wax into your ear, as well. And they have been thoroughly debunked as having any actual value therapeutically. The stuff you see in the bottom? You can get the exact same thing burning it by itself not stuck in an ear.

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D.M.

answers from Chicago on

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3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

They are quack medicine and very dangerous.
They are more likely to drip wax into the ear and candle wax will burn at first while melted then harden and be very difficult to remove (sometimes surgery is required to remove it).

1) - they don't work - they can't work
2) - they create problems
3) - there are better much safer ways to remove ear wax

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candlin...

http://www.webmd.com/fda/stay-away-ear-candles

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-42844259/fda-takes...

I use this all the time on myself and son - uses warm water with a little peroxide in it - it works and it's what they do at the doctors office to remove ear wax.

http://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Washer-Bottle-Doctor-Easy/...

2 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

What does the Pediatrician recommend?
Did you ask him/her?
I would.
Did the Pediatrician actually say, your kids have impacted ear wax?

My son has lots of ear wax.
It does not affect him nor cause any health problems nor affect his hearing.
The Pediatrician knows and says it is not a problem, for him.
And at no time, should anyone or anything be poked in his ear, to get it out... unless it is done by our Pediatrician.
And no Q-tips etc. to clean his ear.
And our Pediatrician, using medical tools, gets the ear wax out of my son's ears. All done, by the Doctor. Only.
Ears are self-cleaning. But in my son's case, he produces lots of ear wax, but it is not a problem.

Here is a link for info:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0010389/

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M.K.

answers from Columbus on

Have you talked with your doctor about the wax problem?

I've read that ear candles are dangerous and ineffective. Doctors have also told me the same thing.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

I just tried them yesterday for the first time. They did absolutely nothing! What a waste of money. I'm going to try the hydrogen peroxide from now on.

Updated

I just tried them yesterday for the first time. They did absolutely nothing! What a waste of money. I'm going to try the hydrogen peroxide from now on.

Updated

I just tried them yesterday for the first time. They did absolutely nothing! What a waste of money. I'm going to try the hydrogen peroxide from now on.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have tried them, praised them, then discovered it was a crock. The stuff is from the candle itself. A friend used them and had had to go to the doctor to have the ball of candle wax removed from his ear. If you are unsure, ask your PED.

Further, wax is not really suppose to be removed from the ear. It is produced by the body and meant to keep dirt from entering the ear drum. Wax is meant to fall out of the ear, therefore, you should only be swabbing what comes to the surface. Look it up for yourself.

However, I can't stand the feeling of dirty ears and remove it from my ears and my daughters ears.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.F.

answers from Fargo on

I have used them and will never use them again! I had ear pain for a long time after using ear candles.

1 mom found this helpful

A.H.

answers from Louisville on

My husband and I have used ear candles for ten years and have never had any problems with them.

1 mom found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

My hubs is prone to ear infections.
I would be on the phone all of the time trying to get an ENT appt.
We tried war candles.
He hasn't been to an ENT since.
We had no issue with dripping, burning, etc.
Should be done by a responsible adult, following directions exactly.
Coincidence?

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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

i have wanted to try them but i have heard that sometimes the hot wax can drip and burn the skin. I dont know because i have never used them but i have heard they work!

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B.1.

answers from New York on

I used these candles for many years now. Never a problem, only one time when I srepped into the shower and got water in them. Note it says not to shower after doing it, I just forgot. No problems though. But that's just my experiences.

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S.T.

answers from Houston on

Use debrox. Then when it has been in the ear about 10 mins, rub in front of the ear like crazy, then let it sit a bit longer. Then get the ear bulb and flush it really well. Gets loads out

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