The topic category is Family Matters. The subject of this entry is earwax which is definitely a personal matter because it is in your ears and in the ears of your family.

Growing up in the Philippines, it was driven by my elders that earwax was bad and should be removed. They used hairpins, bamboo sticks, cotton balls or matches with a cotton ball attached. Those would be used to dig in your ear and remove the earwax. They felt that the earwax was responsible for my not listening well.

Well, that was wrong on many levels. I could hear just fine. Whether they thought I was listening had more to do if what they said made sense or not. From a medical standpoint, you don’t use hairpins, bamboo sticks, cotton balls, Q-tips, and especially matches to dig earwax out. The reason is the earwax is normally produced by the body to protect your ear from dust, dirt, and insects. It normally goes out of the ear. Using objects has a tendency to push the earwax into the ear canal causing more problems.

Some like to use ear candles but hot wax inside of your ear carries plenty of risks with it. There are a few liquids one should use to remove earwax such as sterile water, sterile saline solution, sometimes high-pressure water, carbamide peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide. It is recommended that you do a quick rinse with rubbing alcohol to dry out any remaining water to prevent other issues.

However, excess earwax buildup can be prevented. Food allergies that are common to consuming too much dairy or the majority of the diet the Bible say is bad which causes issues with your earwax as well. Taking things such as krill oil to improve the amount of omega-3 in your system can also assist in balancing out how your body should be working.

Prevention is always less expensive than running to the doctor.

What one should remember is earwax in a normal amount has a purpose and isn’t disgusting or should be attacked with hairpins or mini-torches in the form of cotton balls on a match. Balance is always called for between traditional methods and human knowledge. That balance is called a strong application of common sense. God made us the way we are for a reason. Some may have a few defects but no need to make it worse with bad choices.

Thank you,

Anah

photo credits: http://www.drawingcoach.com/

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