Los Angeles, CA
A 23-year-old male asked:
is there anything safe that dissolves ear wax?
4 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Christopher Schmidt answered
Facial Plastic Surgery 37 years experience
No: No there isn't.
4737 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Susan Reynolds answered
Internal Medicine 36 years experience
Mineral oil: Mineral oil or a mixture of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% warm water.
4737 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Franklyn Gergits answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 29 years experience
Ear wax: Hello. Unfortunately there isn't any products than can be safely used in the ear that dissolves ear wax. Debrox has a wax softening agent with a peroxide solution that aids in removal.
4735 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Louis Gallia answered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 45 years experience
Guidelines: http://www.entnet.org/content/earwax-and-care
2143 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
Does having earwax in your ear affect the pitch of sounds?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Dennis Diaz answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 38 years experience
No: If ear wax is occluding the ear canal it can affect the volume of sound but not the pitch.
6378 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
What do I do about ear wax?
3 doctor answers • 27 doctors weighed in
Dr. Arti Jain answered
Pediatrics 25 years experience
Do not use Q tips!: Ear wax protects and moisturises the skin of the ear canal, fights infections and protects the ear drum. Washing your hair regularly is enough to keep the ear canals clean, just wipe the outside with a wash cloth. If there is production of excess wax or impaction your doctor can prescribe a medication or remove it with a curette or ear wash. Don't use q-tips as it just impacts the wax more.
6150 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Patrick Melder commented
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 27 years experience
The ear has a natural way to clean itself. The skin and wax combine and shed/migrate out through the ear canal. See my other answer below.
Dec 15, 2011
CA
A 36-year-old member asked:
Are there effective natural treatments for ear wax impaction?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. April Hartman answered
Pediatrics 26 years experience
Ear Wax: There are several over the counter ear wax removal formulations that will soften the wax so it runs out. In my office we often use a liquid stool softner like ducolax or colace (docusate sodium). We put several drops in the ear and this softens and loosens the wax so that it is easy to remove. Wax can be protective also so unless its causing a problem its best to leave it alone.
5982 viewsAnswered Apr 9, 2019
A 33-year-old member asked:
Are there practical ways to reduce the odds of ear wax impaction?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gregory Mosolf answered
Pediatrics 25 years experience
No Q tips: Don't use q tips in your ear. Don't ever put anything in your ear. Cerumen impaction is created by pushing wax down in the ear with q tips. Some people have dry wax that tends to accumulate. If that is the case ear wax removal drops and flushing with water can help. Ear wax removal drops are over the counter (no prescription).
5982 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
If you don't notice ear wax coming out of your ears, where does it all go?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. David Astrachan answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 37 years experience
It still comes out: Everyone's wax is different. The wax always comes out, in your case your was may be nearly colorless and when it appears on the ear it just blends in. As a rule its always best to let the ear clean itself.
5864 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Mar 29, 2017
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.