Does Olive Oil Help Ear Wax Fall Out?

Long considered an old wives’ tale, the at-home treatment of olive oil for ear wax is back in vogue. We take a look at what to do and what not to do when it comes to ear wax, and how a simple home treatment may be the answer.

Ear Wax Build-up

It’s important to remember that earwax is there to clean and protect our ears. Much of the time, the wax does not cause us any problems. And whilst it is OK to wash away the flaky wax in your outer ear, the wax in your middle and inner ear should be largely left alone, unless a build-up starts to cause you issues. A wax blockage, also known as compacted wax, can affect your hearing and even your balance. When this happens, a common mistake is to use a cotton bud to try and clean out your ear. This can actually push the wax further into your ear. In fact, cotton buds should be avoided completely.

How to Use Olive Oil

Luckily, a so-called old wives’ tale can come to the rescue, in the form of olive oil. Simply drop two or three droplets of olive oil into your ear. Do this twice a day for a few days. In many cases, this will dislodge the wax, and it will fall out of its own accord, typically when you’re lying down.

When Olive Oil Doesn’t Work

For those with seriously compacted ear wax, olive oil may not do the job, in which case it’s time to visit a professional. Professional ear wax specialists use procedures such as manual extraction, irrigation and micro-suction to safely clear a blockage. If you’re looking for ear wax removal Bristol, get in touch with specialists such as earwax.co.uk/ear-wax-removal-near-me/bristol who can clear your ear safely.

Using olive oil to clear an ear wax blockage can be a safe and simple way to treat the issue at home. Avoid the use of cotton buds and get in touch with a specialist if the olive oil fails to budge it.