Using hydrogen peroxide for ear wax removal is a common home remedy, and even many medical professionals recommend it to clean the ears. Earwax, also called cerumen, prevents foreign contaminants like dust and micro-organisms from entering the ear canal, but an excessive buildup can cause discomfort and hearing loss. Do not use hydrogen peroxide to remove ear wax if you have ear pain or if there is fluid coming from the ear. In these cases, it is best to consult a medical professional. People with sensitive skin should not use this home remedy because it can cause skin irritation.
When using hydrogen peroxide in the ears, use a 3% solution, commonly available from any drugstore. The hydrogen peroxide will work on its own, but sometimes oil is added to loosen the wax further. Baby oil or olive oil work well for this purpose. An eye dropper makes it easier to administer the hydrogen peroxide and oil to the ear.
Tilt the head while standing up, or lie down exposing the ear to be treated. The oil, if used, should be added first. Using the eyedropper, place two to three drops of oil in the ear and wait a couple of minutes before putting the hydrogen peroxide in. Put two to three drops of hydrogen peroxide into the ear using the eyedropper. It will bubble and fizz quite noisily.
Keep the head still until the fizzing stops, which will usually take a few minutes. Then tilt or turn your head, making sure that all the liquid is allowed to drain from the ear. Wipe the outside of the ear clean using a cotton ball. Gently squirt warm water into the treated ear with a syringe or bulb aspirator to help clean out the wax. Never use sharp objects to clean the ear.
It is sometimes necessary to repeat this procedure, especially if there is impacted ear wax in the ear canal. You can use the hydrogen peroxide twice a day for up to three to four days, if necessary, to loosen and clean out all the wax. A cotton ball can be placed in the ear between treatments to prevent the liquid from draining out onto the clothing. If there is hardened wax in the ear canal, it is best to talk to a healthcare professional rather than using this procedure. There is a risk of ear and jaw pain after using hydrogen peroxide for ear wax removal, and it is not a good idea to use this treatment right before flying.