Earwax Buildup

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• After removing the blockage, the doctor may advise you to remove earwax at home with wax-softening ear drops that you can buy without a prescription.
• To insert the ear drops:
  • Lie down with the affected ear pointed toward the ceiling.
  • Put 2 or 3 drops into the ear, plug it with cotton, and wait 20 minutes.
  • Using a soft rubber bulb syringe, squirt warm water gently into the ear canal several times to wash out the earwax.
• Do not try to remove earwax with a stick or cotton swab. This can damage the eardrum or cause an infection in the ear canal.
• If you work in a dusty area, wear earplugs to help keep your ear canals clean.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You continue to have pain in your ear.
• You develop a high temperature.