How to Use Olive Oil to Clear Earwax

If you’re dealing with excess wax build-up in your ears, the quickest way to remove it is to use an ear syringe. An ear syringe is a small, funnel-shaped device that you can use to flush out your ear canal with water or another liquid. Olive oil is a popular choice for ear syringing because it’s a natural lubricant that can help soften the wax so that it’s easier to remove. Plus, it can help soothe any irritation in the ear canal.

Some people use olive oil as a home remedy to remove earwax. People with ear infections have been known to benefit from warm olive oil drops being placed in their ears. Here are some good resources to help you answer any common questions you may have about olive oil and its uses in ears. It is generally safe to use olive oil in small amounts in the ear.

According to a 2010 study, olive oil was more effective than placebo, but less effective than a doctor’s eardrop. It is never a good idea to put olive oil in the ears of a person who has a ruptured eardrum. When you inject olive oil into your ear, you may experience itching, ear infections, dizziness, and skin irritation. It should not be attempted by anyone who has an allergy to olives or olive oil. If you use hot olive oil, do not use it on a child.

Ear Wax

Generally, the human ear is self-cleaning and requires no intervention to keep it clean. The ear produces ear wax, also called cerumen, as a natural defense mechanism to protect the ear from dirt and debris. The ear wax also provides lubrication to keep the ear from feeling dry and itchy. The ear wax gradually moves from the ear canal to the opening of the ear, where it dries up and falls out.

The ear is made up of three structures: an external structure, a middle structure, and an inner structure. Cerumen is a waxy oil produced by the hair follicles and glands lining the ear canal.

When ear wax dries and falls out, you can either wash it or remove it. Using cotton swabs to clean the ear canal is not a good idea. The body naturally lubricates, protects, and coats the ear’s lining. If you are unable to remove excess wax or have discomfort, you should consult a healthcare professional.

When removing ear wax you want to be safe and not damage your ear. There are two common ways of removing wax safely:

Ear drops: Over-the-counter ear drops are a common and safe way to soften earwax so that it can be easily removed. Follow the instructions on the label.
Ear irrigation: This involves flushing the ear with water or a saline solution. This method should only be done by a medical professional as it can be harmful if done incorrectly.

Does Olive Oil Work?

The limited research available has found that using a small amount of olive oil in the ears is most likely safe. However, it has yet to be proven to be effective at helping with earwax or ear infections. Research indicates that olive oil is not as successful at breaking up excess earwax as over-the-counter ear drops.

Symptoms of an earwax buildup include a feeling of fullness inside the ear, pain, tinnitus, and partial hearing loss. Olive oil can soften hardened earwax and allow it to be removed from the ear more easily. It’s important to note that olive oil does not dissolve earwax. A 2013 study followed people who placed a drop of olive oil in one ear every day for 24 weeks.

Researchers found that the participants who used olive oil daily developed more earwax in the treated ear than in the ear that was not treated. In fact, participants experienced 99.5% more earwax in the ear treated with olive oil than the other ear. However, spraying olive oil into the ear before a physician-performed irrigation appeared to help remove the earwax more easily.

A 2020 review also found that putting warm olive oil into the ear before doctor irrigation was effective at softening the wax before the procedure. Ear irrigation involves flushing the ear with warm water and sometimes removing excess wax by hand.

It’s important to note that many of the reviewed studies were very small, and more research is required before it’s safe to draw conclusions about using olive oil to treat earwax. Olive oil has been proven to have antimicrobial properties, but it is not clear if it can kill the bacteria that lead to ear infections.

Is It Okay To Put Olive Oil In Your Ear?

There’s no definitive answer to this question since opinions will vary from person to person. Some people may swear by using olive oil as a home remedy for earaches, while others may find that it doesn’t work for them or makes their symptoms worse. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to try putting olive oil in your ear.

If you do decide to go ahead with it, make sure you use a sterile, high-quality olive oil and apply it very carefully so that you don’t end up with any oil in your ear canal. If you have allergies, it is recommended that you avoid using oils like nut oils because they can cause hives.

Ear wax is more commonly found in certain people and can cause health problems in some people. Those who are prone to it should consult with a doctor to determine whether or not professional removal is required. If you are the average person, olive oil or cooking oil is best.

Olive Oil Dissolves Earwax

Olive oil, as a softener to hardened earwax, allows it to be removed more easily from the ear. It is important to note that olive oil does not dissolve earwax. In 2020, a review of ear-mold cases found that putting warm olive oil in the ear before doctor irrigation softened the wax before the procedure.

Olive oil is one of the oldest ways to remove ear wax that has blocked an ear.

A small amount of earwax on the outer third of the ear canal serves as a healthy barrier against infection, lubricates the canal, prevents dust and dirt from entering the ear, and is an important part of maintaining proper ear canal hygiene.

READ MORE: Ear Infections In Adults

How To Put Olive Oil In Your Ear

Always check with your doctor before starting a new health regimen. If you’d like to try using olive oil to remove excess earwax, be mindful that this treatment has not been medically proven. To place a drop of olive oil into your ear, fill a clean eyedropper with olive oil. This will help control the amount of olive oil used.

Lie on the opposite side of the affected ear, and gently squeeze one drop into your ear. It may help to gently pull your outer ear up and back to open your ear canal. Then lightly massage your ear to work the olive oil into the hardened wax. Once you have cleaned out your ears, dry them thoroughly with a clean towel. A hair dryer set to the warm (not hot) setting may help as well.

Try this process once per week for one to two weeks. If you don’t notice any improvement or if you experience side effects, see your doctor. The use of olive oil in small amounts is generally safe in the ear. It is not a good idea for people with ruptured eardrums to put olive oil, other substances, or cosmetics into their ears.

One of the most common side effects of rinsing the ears with olive oil is itching, ear infections, dizziness, and skin irritation. Olive oil is a well-known cooking oil found in a Mediterranean diet, and it is one of the most commonly consumed cooking oils. In addition, it can be used to treat ear infections as well as remove ear wax. Using olive oil in the ear can aid in the removal of hardened ear wax by softens it and makes it easier to remove.

The glands in the entrance of your ear canal secrete wax to lubricate and protect your skin. Although a buildup of wax can make your hearing sound less clear, you are unlikely to need to remove it. Some people believe that using olive oil in their ears to treat ear pain caused by an infection is a natural way to fight infections.

Because olive oil softens and loosens hardened earwax, it is easier to remove from the ear canal. Make sure to use room temperature or olive oil with a slightly warmed core to avoid burning the delicate skin in your ear. A 2013 study found that people who put olive oil drops into their ears every day had significantly more wax in their treated ears than those who did not.

How Long Does It Take For Olive Oil To Clear Ear Wax?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it can vary depending on the individual. However, some people find that olive oil can help to clear ear wax within a few days to a week. You should avoid using olive oil to treat hearing problems. Olive oil softens ear wax, which is correct, but the wax sludge produced by the process will not end up in an average canal.

Cotton buds or Q-Tips should never go inside your ears unless you want to push anything in further. Ear wax, is a natural phenomenon, provides lubrication and protection for your ear. Excessive wax can be removed using microsuction, which is a safe and effective procedure.

Can I Put Oil In My Ear If It Hurts?

If your ear hurts, you may be tempted to put oil in it in an attempt to alleviate the pain. However, this is generally not a good idea. While a few drops of oil may not cause any harm, there is a risk of pushing the wax further into your ear, which could cause more pain and potentially damage your ear. It is usually best to see a doctor if you are experiencing pain in your ear.

How Safe Is It?

It appears that placing a small amount of olive oil into your ears is safe in most cases.

Side effects of using olive oil in the ear are rare, but they may include itching, dizziness, skin irritation, and inflammation of the outer ear canal.

If you are concerned that you have a ruptured eardrum, do not place any liquid, including olive oil, in your ear. Rather, see your doctor right away.

Symptoms of a ruptured eardrum include ear pain, drainage, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and weakness of the facial muscles. The discharge associated with a ruptured eardrum may be clear, bloody, or filled with pus.

When to Call a Doctor

Check with your doctor before starting a new olive oil regimen in your ears. Your doctor may have more effective tools for removing earwax or treating ear infections. Your primary care doctor or an otolaryngologist (also called an ear, nose, and throat, or ENT, doctor) can help you treat a buildup of earwax by irrigating the ear canal in their office and removing the wax with special tools.

If you wear hearing aids, see your doctor every three to six months to check your ears for excess earwax. Call your doctor if you develop symptoms of a ruptured eardrum such as pain or discharge. Any hearing loss should also be reported to your doctor right away.