Cleaning your ears sounds like a no-brainer, right? But you can injure your ear canal or eardrum if you don’t do it correctly. Here’s how to do it safely:
■ Wipe the outer ear with a washcloth. Do not put anything into your ear smaller than your elbow. Don’t use Q-tips or sharp, pointed objects to clean your ears. These objects may cause injury.
■ Ask your doctor about methods that allow you to safely remove small amounts of ear wax at home (with hydrogen peroxide or ear-wax drops, which are available at your pharmacy). If you have a build-up of wax that is blocking your hearing, see your doctor to have it removed.
■ If you experience itching or pain in your ears, see your doctor.
— Source: Cleveland Clinic