See the picture below showing the supposed results of an ear candling session. Those who perform ear candling will often cut open the candle and show you the wax and debris they have removed from your ear canal at the end of the session. Health Canada has officially stated they are against ear candles and consider the product ineffective and potentially dangerous. There have even been some instances of injury (burns, ear drum perforation) associated with ear candling. In some cases, the procedure actually will leave deposits of candle wax in the ear canal, compounding the wax problem. Research has consistently shown that ear candling is in no way effective in removing ear wax. Since ear candling has become a popular thing to do, there have been several studies performed to determine if it is a legitimate means to clean out one’s ear. The long answer is: no, I would definitely not recommend it. The short answer is: no, I would not recommend it. In my practice, I have had several clients say they have tried it and they will often ask if it is something I would recommend to those who have frequent issues with ear wax. It has become a popular procedure that is now offered by many spas or alternative medicine therapists. ![]() The theory behind it is that as the candle burns down it creates the “chimney effect”, a negative pressure within the candle and ear canal that sucks debris out of the ear and into the hollow inside of the candle. This article outlines perfectly my feelings on ear candling, and I’ve posted the bulk of the article below:įor those who are not familiar with the practice of ear candling (aka ear coning, aka thermal-auricular therapy), it is a procedure where a lit, hollow beeswax candle is placed at the entrance of your ear canal for the purposes of removing ear wax and other debris from the canal. This makes them more prone to blockages.īy practicing ear candling instead of seeking medical attention, people might also allow underlying infections and other conditions requiring proper treatment to worsen.We often get asked about ear candling, and as an audiologist, it makes me cringe each time I hear that someone is considering ear candling. Such risks increase greatly when children are involved, as they tend to move around during the procedure, which can allow hot wax or ash to fall outside the protection of the covering.Ĭhildren also have much smaller ear canals than adults. developing otitis externa (swimmer’s ear).burning the face, neck, eardrum, middle ear, or ear canal from hot wax or ash.Some of the potential risks and side effects include: Major health authorities such as the FDA have warned of the dangers of ear candles for several years. Share on Pinterest The open flame and melting wax from an ear candle pose a number of health risks. a feeling of the ear being plugged or full.Anything a person puts in their ear, from cotton swabs to paper clips, can contribute to earwax buildup. This most often occurs when a person has been digging their finger into their ear and pushing wax deeper into the canal. Once on the outside of the ear canal, earwax dries up and flakes away.Įarwax can build up in the ear canal. ![]() People without enough earwax often have dry, itchy ears.Įarwax naturally works its way out of the ear canal during motions such as chewing or swallowing. However, these claims do not make much sense, and there is currently no research or evidence to show that ear candles do what people claim they do.Īlthough many people dislike earwax, it is actually a self-cleansing, lubricating, and antibacterial substance for the ear canal. This suction pulls impurities and wax out of the ear canal. reducing pain related to jaw aches and temporomandibular disordersĮar candle makers and supporters claim that the lit candle creates enough warmth to generate suction. ![]()
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