![Ear candles: This is what you should definitely consider when cleaning your ears (Photo: Colourbox/Kzenon) Ear candles: This is what you should definitely consider when cleaning your ears](https://images.utopia.de/T-dJBFuE4jWnGkJ74P1I_SebtVHOYDkQYUAi0_P49pI/rt:fill/w:640/h:300/g:ce/plain/2022/03/ohrenkerzen-colourboxkzenon-220302.jpg)
Do you want to use ear candles to clean your ears? Then please do so with caution and never alone! Find out here how ear candles work and what risks there are when using them.
Ear candles are thin, hollow sticks measuring 20 to 30 centimeters long. They are made of beeswax, essential oils, herbs and cotton. In the lower part of the ear candle there is a piece of aluminum or a filter that is designed to prevent hot wax from dripping into the ear canal. Important: Never buy ear candles without this safety filter!
Ear candles are designed to remove earwax from the ears. They are now also frequently used in wellness treatments.
How should ear candles be used?
This is how the candles work:
- The candle is placed in the ear and lit.
- The rising heat in the ear candle creates a negative pressure, which is said to draw the earwax out of the ears.
- Ear candles are also supposed to equalize the pressure in the ears. Many people find this very relaxing, which is why ear candles are also supposed to help reduce stress.
You should NOT use ear candles if:
-
Inflammation in the ear,
-
Fungal infections in the ear,
-
acute ear pain
- or an eardrum injury.
No experiments: use ear candles correctly
You should never use ear candles if you are alone. A second person should help you or at least observe the process to be on the safe side. Here’s how to do it:
- Lie on your side.
- Insert the ear candle vertically into the ear.
- To be on the safe side, you can place a small towel, preferably a damp one, around the ear. This should catch any ash that might fall.
- Rotate the ear candle into your ear with gentle pressure so that it stands upright and seals the ear canal airtight.
- Light the ear candle. Warm smoke will now enter your ear.
- Allow the ear candle to burn completely. It will usually stop burning on its own.
Important: As a precaution, have a glass of water ready, because ear candles can only be extinguished with water.
Leaderboard: The best natural cosmetics manufacturers
![i+m i+m-logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2019/05/iplusmlogo1280x1200-300x281.gif)
5.0
9
DetailAvocadostore**
![Urtekram Urtekram Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2021/04/urtekram-nordic-beauty-black-logo-220307-650x650px-300x300.png)
5.0
6
DetailEcco Verde**
![Weleda Weleda-Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2018/04/weleda-logo-20190222-1280x1200-300x281.jpg)
5.0
6
DetailAvocadostore**
![Dr. Hauschka Dr. Hauschka-Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2018/04/naturkosmetik-hersteller-z-dr-hauschka-180607-640x600-300x281.jpg)
4.7
6
DetailDr. Hauschka**
![Alterra Alterra-Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2018/04/naturkosmetik-hersteller-z-alterra-180405-640x600-300x281.jpg)
4.6
7
DetailsAmazon**
![Lavera Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2018/04/naturkosmetik-hersteller-z-lavera-180405-640x600-300x281.jpg)
4.4
9
DetailAvocadostore**
![Alverde Alverde-Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2018/04/naturkosmetik-hersteller-z-alverde-180405-640x600-300x281.jpg)
3.8
8th
DetailsAmazon**
![Logona Logona-Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2018/04/naturkosmetik-hersteller-z-logona-180405-640x600-300x281.jpg)
2.2
10
DetailBioNaturel**
![Sante Sante-Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2019/06/sante-logo-z-600x640-1-300x281.jpg)
2.0
13
DetailBioNaturel**
![Speick Speick-Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2018/04/naturkosmetik-hersteller-z-speick-180405-640x600-300x281.jpg)
5.0
4
DetailAvocadostore**
![Martina Gebhardt Natural Cosmetics Martina Gebhardt Natural Cosmetics Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2020/02/martina-gebhardt-z-200205-640x600-300x282.png)
5.0
3
DetailAvocadostore**
![Butterfly Butterfly Logo](https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2019/05/farfallalogoz190504farfalla-300x281.jpg)
4.8
5
DetailAvocadostore**
Why you shouldn’t use ear candles
Although ear candles are said to have positive effects, experts are critical of their use. The negative pressure of the ear candle, for example, is too low to effectively remove earwax from the ear, explains Dr. Dirk Heinrich from the professional association of ENT doctors to Apotheken-Umschau. Physically, it is “not at all possible” to remove anything from the ear using the negative pressure of the ear candles.
The doctor is not only doubtful about how they work. He considers their use to be “dangerous” and “strictly advises against it”. Hot wax and ash from ear candles can get into the ear canal and cause irreparable damage there, as well as in the middle ear, the auricle or the face. For example, a hole in the eardrum is possible – an injury that will not heal on its own and will require surgery, as Heinrich explains.
According to the expert, anyone who has problems with blocked ears should consult an ENT doctor.
If you want to clean your ears of light earwax or dirt, you can read about your options in this article: Cleaning your ears: This is how you should remove earwax.
Read more on Techzle\.com:
-
Home remedy for earache: onions help
- Inhalation for colds and coughs: What you need to pay attention to with salt water and oils
- Relaxation techniques: These 4 exercises slow down
Edited by Nora Braatz
** marked with ** or orange underlined Links to sources are partly affiliate links: If you buy here, you are actively supporting Techzle\.com, because we then receive a small part of the sales proceeds. .