A doctor has issued a warning against using cotton buds to clean ears, stating that the practice can cause more harm than good. Dr Kunal Sood, who shares health advice on social media, explained in a TikTok video that inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal often pushes wax deeper towards the eardrum, leading to build-up, muffled hearing, discomfort, or infection.
Dr Sood noted that ears have a natural self-cleaning system that moves wax outwards on its own. He emphasised that earwax is not dirt but plays a protective role by trapping debris, repelling water, and limiting bacterial growth. Removing it too aggressively can make the ear vulnerable.
The NHS advises that earwax typically falls out on its own. For build-up, they recommend using ear drops to soften wax or consulting a pharmacist. Some GP practices offer removal methods such as irrigation, microsuction, or manual removal, though these are not available everywhere.
Symptoms of earwax build-up include hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness. The NHS states that there is no evidence that ear candles or vacuums are effective for removal.
