Ear
Candling
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Does Ear Candling Really Remove Ear Wax?
An ear candle is a candle, usually hollow, that
is believed by some to help remove ear wax. The practice
is also known as auricular candling or coning, or simply
ear candling, and it is controversial.
Proponents believe there are numerous benefits
to ear candling: that impurities are removed from the
inner ear and even the brain itself. There have been
claims that ear candling can relieve sinus pressure and
pain, stop tinnitus or ringing in the
ear, and reduce vertigo.
There are reports that forms of ear candling
have been used by Asian cultures and Native Americans for
centuries, especially in the Hopi Tribe. In 1995,
the Tribal Council denounced such reports as untrue.
Nonetheless, there are a number of ear candles available
commercially, and the mystique of ear candling for
ear wax removal has grown in the last decade.
Some doctors believe that using an ear candle is
ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Nonetheless,
some people say it works well.
Ear candling
technique
Here's how ear candling is done.
A candle is placed in the ear canal. The wick of
the candle (at the other end, of course) is then lit
allowed to burn for a short time. Theoretically, this
creates a vacuum at the bottom which softens ear wax and
sucks the wax toward the opening of the ear.
Many medical authorities, however, doubt the
value of ear candling because they say the vacuum needed
to pull wax from the ear canal would have to be so strong
that it would probably damage or rupture the eardrum in
the process.
While ear candling certainly has adherents,
some doctors call it "hocus pocus.". One research team
reported that it could not detect any vacuum at all when
it tested ear candling, and in fact, ear candling
deposited more debris in the ear than it
removed.
Is Ear Candling
Dangerous?
Doctors also warn that hot candle wax can
accidentally burn the external ear and the skin around
it. If any wax gets into the ear canal itself, it
can damage anything it touches and be especially
difficult to remove if it cools.
Someone who becomes inattentive might even set
their hair or clothing on fire.
Whether or not to use emplay ear candling
for ear wax removal or not is a personal decision. But consumers
should thoroughly investigate any claims by any company
before making a purchase.
Ear candles that are offered commercially
usually cost between $2.00 and $10.00.
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