‘I know that you’re all doing it’: Content creator suggests using Q-tips with oil for earwax removal; ENT calls it a dangerous misconception

Her suggested workaround? “Don’t put a dry Q-tip in your ear. Coat it with an oil. You can use any kind of oil, really, even just an olive oil, but just put a tiny, tiny amount on. Then use the oil to grab the wax out. It will pull the wax so that you don’t have to stick it in and grab the wax. Let the oil be the lubricant that does the heavy lifting.” 

But is it ever advisable to use cotton swabs to clear wax at home?

Dr Sumit Kumar Gaur, senior consultant ENT at Apollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, tells indianexpress.com, “From a medical and surgical perspective, it is never advisable to use cotton swabs, with or without oil, to clean your ear canals. The most common misconception is that you are ‘cleaning’ your ears, but what you are actually doing is defeating the ear’s sophisticated, natural self-cleaning mechanism. The skin inside your ear canal migrates outward, like a tiny conveyor belt, carrying wax and debris with it.”

He adds that when you insert a cotton swab, you act as a ramrod, pushing the majority of the wax deeper into the bony, sensitive part of the ear canal, right up against the eardrum. This can lead to cerumen impaction, causing hearing loss, pain, tinnitus (ringing), and dizziness.

Could applying oil to a Q-tip reduce the risks?

Dr Gaur says, “Adding oil to the tip of a cotton swab is a fundamentally flawed concept that does not reduce the primary risks and may even introduce new ones. The idea that oil acts as a ‘lubricant’ misses the point entirely. The danger isn’t friction; it’s the piston-like mechanical force you apply, pushing wax deeper.”

While using oil drops alone (without a swab) is a recognised medical practice for softening hardened wax (a process called cerumenolysis), Dr Gaur mentions that applying it with a swab is an unsafe and ineffective delivery method. “You are combining a dangerous tool with a substance that, on its own, can be helpful. It’s a classic example of a ‘health hack’ that demonstrates a critical misunderstanding of ear anatomy and physiology.”

What are the safest methods for managing earwax buildup?

For individuals who struggle with recurrent, symptomatic earwax buildup, Dr Gaur says the safest and most effective strategies involve softening the wax or seeking professional removal.

• Over-the-Counter Softening Drops: The first step you can safely try at home is using cerumenolytic (wax-softening) drops. Look for products containing carbamide peroxide or other clinically recognised softening agents. 
• Professional Removal: If drops do not resolve the issue, or if you have significant symptoms, you must see a healthcare professional. They have several safe methods performed under direct visualisation:

1. Micro-suction: An ENT specialist uses a microscope for a magnified view and a gentle, medical-grade suction device to precisely remove the wax.
2. Manual Instrumentation: Specialised tools, such as a fine, angled curette or forceps, are used to carefully extract the wax plug while looking directly into the ear canal.
3. Irrigation: This involves gently flushing the ear canal with sterile, warm water to remove the wax. This is done carefully to control pressure and avoid injury.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.