Ear candling, also known as ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a popular alternative remedy that some people use to remove earwax and other impurities from the inner ear. This technique involves placing a hollow, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal and lighting the opposite end. Advocates claim that the heat from the burning candle creates suction, drawing out earwax and other debris. However, despite its popularity, ear candling is widely considered unsafe and ineffective by medical professionals and organizations.
Ear candles are typically about 10 inches long, hollow, and tapered. They are usually made of fabric soaked in wax or a mixture of substances, often paraffin and beeswax, soy wax or other materials. To perform ear candling, a person lies on their side with the ear facing upwards. The pointed end of the candle is inserted into the ear hole, creating a seal. A square or circle made of paper, tin foil, or plastic acts as a cover to prevent hot wax from dripping onto the face, neck, or hair. The candle is then lit and allowed to burn for 10-20 minutes, until only 3 to 4 inches remain. During this time, the burned part of the fabric is supposed to be trimmed to prevent it from contaminating the tube.
Manufacturers claim that the debris inside the ear candle after the procedure contains impurities removed from the patient’s ear. Ear candling allegedly treats many conditions, including earache, earwax, tinnitus, sinus infections, sore throat, vertigo, stress, colds and flus, headaches and migraines, improves mental clarity, purifying the blood, improving lymphatic circulation, clearing the eyes and improving vision, reducing pain related to jaw aches and temporomandibular disorders, reducing tension and stress. However, the sheer number of conditions implies that the treatment is a panacea. It is not.
Despite claims of its benefits, there isn't any consistent or widely accepted evidence that ear candling is effective. Research consistently debunks claims that this practice can remove earwax. Studies show that patients do not experience a reduction in earwax levels after treatment. In fact, some studies have found an increase in wax in the ear canal after candling due to wax deposited by the candles themselves. Tympanometric measurements in an ear canal model demonstrated that ear candles do not produce negative pressure.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology published updated clinical practice guidelines for earwax removal in 2017, stating, “Ear candling or ear coning is NOT a safe option for earwax removal. Research shows that ear candling does NOT create a vacuum to suck earwax from the ear.”
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Furthermore, the "impurities" found inside the candle after burning are likely just a mixture of burned wax and fabric, regardless of whether the candle was placed in an ear. This debris shows up when a candle is burned regardless of whether it’s been placed in an ear.
At the same time, there is plenty of data to suggest that it is dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration has issued multiple warnings to consumers not to use ear candling. The FDA notes that children and babies are at increased risk of injuries and complications from ear candles.
The most common injuries from the technique are burns, perforated eardrums and worsening of impacted cerumen. Hot wax, for instance, can enter the ear canal and damage it. Ear candling can also cause damage to other parts of the body. Burns to the face, head and neck are common due to the precarious location of hot materials so close to the body. There’s also the risk of burns due to accidental fires.
The FDA has received reports of people who experienced these negative effects from using ear candles:
Complications of ear candling can be severe. Ultimately, ear candling increases the patient’s likelihood of hearing loss and damage to the eardrum. Damage done to the ear during the procedure can increase a patient’s likelihood of developing secondary ear infections.
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In a 2016 study, a 16-year-old boy who practiced ear candling for allergies started to experience pain in his ear and reduced hearing. A physician had to remove multiple pieces of candle debris from his eardrum. In a study published in the Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, scientists noted the experience of a 33-year-old woman who came to an ear clinic because of pain inside her ear. After doctors examined her, they found a yellowish mass in the ear canal. She mentioned that she had recently undergone an ear candling procedure at a massage center. Doctors determined that the mass was formed from candle wax that had dropped into her ear. When they removed it, the woman’s symptoms went away.
Although many people dislike earwax, it is actually a self-cleansing, lubricating, and antibacterial substance for the ear canal. People without enough earwax often have dry, itchy ears. Earwax helps control the pH of the ear canal, and it also helps collect debris. Your ears are supposed to have wax. It’s there for a reason.
Earwax naturally works its way out of the ear canal during motions such as chewing or swallowing. Once on the outside of the ear canal, earwax dries up and flakes away.
Earwax can build up in the ear canal. This most often occurs when a person has been digging their finger into their ear and pushing wax deeper into the canal. Anything a person puts in their ear, from cotton swabs to paper clips, can contribute to earwax buildup.
Symptoms of an earwax blockage include:
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If you experience symptoms of earwax buildup, there are safer and more effective methods for removal than ear candling:
It is important to avoid using cotton swabs, as they can push earwax further into the ear canal and exacerbate the problem. You can gently clean the outer ear with a damp washcloth and then pat dry with a towel, but never try to clean your ears by sticking anything in the ear canal.
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