Doctor Warns People to Stop Using Cotton Buds in Ears

Many people use cotton buds to clean their ears, but doctors are warning that this habit is unsafe. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, has said that putting cotton buds inside the ear can cause serious harm. He shared this warning in a recent post and explained why cleaning the ears this way is dangerous.

The doctor said that our ears are self-cleaning. This means they do not need cotton buds or any tools to remove wax. Earwax may look unpleasant, but it is actually important. It protects the ear canal from dust, dirt, and bacteria. Over time, the wax moves out of the ear naturally. When someone uses a cotton bud, it does not remove the wax. Instead, it pushes the wax deeper inside the ear. This can block the ear, cause pain, and may even lead to infection.

Dr Sethi shared that using cotton buds can damage the ear. Sometimes the ear canal can get scratched, which can be painful. In more serious cases, the eardrum can get injured. If the eardrum gets hurt, a person may experience ringing, sharp pain, or hearing loss. The doctor said that this short-term feeling of cleaning is not worth the long-term risk.

He also pointed to a medical study published in 2017. The study found that more than 70 percent of ear injuries reported in emergency rooms were caused by cotton buds. This shows that many people think they are cleaning their ears safely, but they are actually harming them.

The doctor advised that people should stop using cotton buds to clean the ear canal. If someone feels that they have too much wax, they should visit a doctor. A doctor can remove the wax safely with proper tools. The doctor also reminded people that the label on cotton bud packaging clearly says, “Do not insert into the ear canal,” but many still ignore it.

This message is important for everyone to understand. Keeping ears clean does not require cotton buds or any special ear cleaning product. The ear is made to take care of itself. It is better to trust the body’s natural process rather than taking risks that may cause injury or long-term hearing problems.