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A member asked:

Can use of cotton swabs to clean our ears lead to problems?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewis answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Cleaning ears: Using cotton swabs to ear canals can lead to perforated ear drum or inflammation of the ear canal (otitis externa). Better to use an otc ear wax removal product (follow instructions) or see your pcp if you have wax build-up problems.

Answered 10/18/2016

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Related Questions

A member asked:

I cleaned my husbands ear with peroxide and a cotton swab. Then his ear started bleeding. It has stopped but there is a cut and is clogged?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Excessive usage of cotton swabs has lead to discharge of white creamy smelly fluid out of my ear.How can I get rid of this discharge?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Is Hydrogen peroxide bad or harmful to use while cleaning ears with cotton swabs? I do it a lot I need a way to get ear wax out

6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I was cleaning ear with cotton swab about 48 hours ago. Now ear feels swollen and like there is fluid in my ear. Do I need to see a doctor or will it go away? Pain is not severe but it is noticeable?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Cleaning ear and clogged by cotton swab,cant hear and little bleed.doctor clean ear still cant hear?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

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