9 effective ways to remove ear wax

Not hearing properly or have blocked ears with no flu? Before you rush to hospital in a panic, it could be due to excessive wax believe it or not.

Brown, grey, reddish orange or even yellowish in color, your ear canal produces a waxy oil called cerumen, which is more commonly known as earwax. It protects the ears from bacteria and external agents that can harm it when they go in by keeping it clean and lubricated. However, excessive wax build up can lead to infections as well as blockage.

Unless your hearing is impaired and you exhibit other serious symptoms there is no need to worry. Do not use cotton swabs or other sharp objects to remove the excessive wax. This makes it worse by pushing the wax deeper instead.

Instead, try these solutions that can be done in the comfort of your home. However, you need to be absolutely sure that your eardrum is intact. In simple terms, ensure you have a perforation (hole) or a tube in your eardrum.

One of the recommended solutions, it softens the wax and makes it easy to get rid of. Mix a teaspoon of salt in half a cup of water at body temperature until it dissolves. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and squeeze few drops into the ear. Lean on the opposite side for the water to go in then after a few minutes lean the opposite way for the water and wax to trickle down.

Dropping a few drops of warm water directly into your ear carefully helps get rid of excess earwax. The water will make it easy to remove.

Just like the salt solution, mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide with water. Put drops in the ear and tilt your head in the opposite direction. Leave for a few minutes then wipe using a cloth.

This will help dissolve the ear wax. Mix equal parts and pour a few drops. Tilt your head for it to enter and wait for a few minutes then tilt your head in the opposite direction and wipe. The alcohol will act as a drying agent while the vinegar will fight bacteria and fungi preventing infections.

If you have food grade oliveoil, pour a few drops into your ear for fast results. Not only is it antiseptic in nature but it reduces the risk of ear infection.

Due to its antiseptic nature, it removes wax effectively. Mix half a tea spoon in a half a glass of warm water then pour a few drops inside the ear and let it stay for few minutes. Tilt your head for it to come out.

Use a dropper and pour a few drops. Let it sit for a few minutes then tilt your head to remove the melted wax.

Soak a cotton ball in baby oil and pour a few drops directly in to the ear. Tilt your head for a few minutes then tilt in the opposite direction for it to drain.

Get rid of wax internally by consuming foods such as avocado, fish and walnuts that are rich in omega-3.