Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on "Healthwatch," we've been talking about allergies. While we're talking about problems that stuff up your head or give you a runny nose, let's turn our attention to the ears.
When your ears feel stuffy or itchy, which often happens during hay fever season, it's natural to want to clean them out, but doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say to keep the cotton swabs away from your ears. For one thing, they can cause eardrum damage. For another, wax is actually good for your ears.
Dr. Ravi N. Samy, a UT Southwestern ear, nose and throat specialist, says wax keeps the ear moist and protects it from infection.
If you have to clean your ears, use a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to loosen wax. If your ears itch, put in a few drops of mineral oil or baby oil using a medicine dropper. Don't put anything in your ear if you have a perforated eardrum or an ear infection.
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March 2005
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