The ear is a very delicate part of the body that doesn’t need much intervention when it is healthy. It happens that, at times, you may feel stuffy, sore, or upset. Some prefer to place substances, such as hydrogen peroxide when presenting these symptoms before consulting a doctor. In these cases, a more severe problem can be generated.
Hydrogen peroxide is a substance similar to water, but it has more oxygen than this; Depending on its concentration, it can have different effects both on the skin and on more internal areas of the body, which is why it is necessary to know them well before use.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we answer the question: “is it bad to put hydrogen peroxide in your ear?” And in addition, you will find beneficial information about its effects, when you should NOT put this substance in the ear or when you could, and when it is recommended that you consult a specialist.
Table of Contents
Why can it bother the ear?
When deciding whether to put hydrogen peroxide in your ear or not, it is essential to determine what it feels like and what may be causing discomfort in this sensitive organ:
- Pain: earache can be mainly due to three causes: external otitis (from contact with water), otitis media (from a cold, usually), and problems in the jaw joint. In no case of earache, it is advisable to use hydrogen peroxide, as it will not improve the situation and may make it worse. So if you suffer from earache, it is best to see a doctor.
- Plugged ear: if it is something abrupt, it can be due to sudden hearing loss or wax in the ear canal. On the other hand, if it is gradual, it may be due more to a chronic problem in the ear. In all these cases, the specialist can help you determine the cause and possible solutions.
- Itching in the ear: the most common cause is problems in the jaw joint (or TMJ). There are also a few cases due to allergy or eczema. There is no reason why hydrogen peroxide can improve this symptom. Therefore, it is better to avoid its use.
- Noises in the ear: either due to problems in the ear itself or secondary to widespread diseases (such as high blood pressure or diabetes), hydrogen peroxide will not improve tinnitus or tinnitus.
What is hydrogen peroxide in the ear for?
Hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide contains an extra oxygen atom compared to regular water. It has different properties that make it useful in many areas. It is used at an industrial level in high concentrations (50% and more). In medium concentrations (30-35%), it is used for aesthetic purposes and in the food industry; in both cases, it must be handled very carefully. In low concentrations (3-5%), hydrogen peroxide is commonly found in pharmacies and is used medicinally and domestically, the latter being the one referred to in this article.
When oxygen is released, a characteristic foam is produced when its cleaning and bactericidal power are obtained. It is widely used in wound disinfection, teeth whitening, and even in-ear cleaning, but the latter should be restricted to specific cases.
The hydrogen peroxide placed directly in the outer ear generates foam and heat by releasing the oxygen present in the said substance. This can be beneficial in case you want to remove or soften the wax present in the external auditory canal, recovering, in this way, the hearing loss due to the interposition of a plug. This should be attempted only once and taken into account when it is dangerous to pour hydrogen peroxide into the ear, which we will explain in more detail in the next section.
Hydrogen peroxide in the ear: is it dangerous?
Next, we mention the cases in which it is NOT convenient to pour hydrogen peroxide in the ear since it can generate more problems:
- History of ear pain or infection.
- Having had a cold before hearing loss or currently having a cold.
- I was having a discharge or fluid leaking from the ear.
- Having suffered trauma, blows, injury from swabs or other objects inside the ear.
- I am suffering from a skin allergy.
If one or more of these points are not respected, the ear can be damaged, even seriously, for which it is recommended that if after having tried once to pour hydrogen peroxide in the previously healthy ear, it did not improve, or if it suffers For any of the other conditions, it is essential to turn to the ENT specialist or your trusted doctor.
On the other hand, if the desired effect has been obtained after using it once, it is advisable not to repeat its use on subsequent occasions since hydrogen peroxide is very irritating to the delicate skin of the ear canal and can cause skin lesions.
How to remove a wax plug in the ear with hydrogen peroxide
Therefore, as we have mentioned, hydrogen peroxide can only be used in the ear if you want to soften the earwax before removing a wax plug in the ear. However, in this case, it is crucial to use hydrogen peroxide in the ear correctly to avoid damaging this delicate organ. The steps to follow are as follows:
- Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide in equal parts with boiled water. It is essential to wait until the water is warm to proceed with the application.
- Apply 2 or 3 drops two or three times a day the days before removing the wax plug. The doctor must indicate the number of days it should be applied.
- When applying the drops, you must remain with your head resting on the opposite side, and you must move the ear a little to promote the effect of the slides.
- You must stop the treatment immediately if you notice any pain in the ear. Likewise, it is not recommended that you insert cotton or cotton buds in the ears after the treatment.
In the following video, you can see other home remedies to remove a wax plug in the ear.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Is it wrong to pour hydrogen peroxide in your ear? we recommend that you enter our category of Ear, nose, and throat.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.