Should You Opt for Hydrogen Peroxide To Clean Your Ear Wax?
Q&A with Organizational Pro Peter Walsh + Dermatologist Shares A…
Actor Hank Azaria + Freezer Meals + Artichokes 2 Ways with Rach
See Inside Barbara Corcoran's Stunning NY Apartment + It's Steak…
Donnie Wahlberg + Jenny McCarthy Say Rach Is Such a "Joy" + Look…
How to Make Chicken and Lobster Piccata | Richard Blais
Donnie Wahlberg Spills Details About NKOTB's First Ever Conventi…
The Best Moments From 17 Seasons of the Show Will Make You Laugh…
How to Make Crabby Carbonara | Rachael Ray
Rach Chats "Firsts" In Flashback From Our First Episode Ever In …
How to Make Apple-Cider Braised Pork Chop Sandwiches with Onion …
Rach's Chef Pals Say Goodbye to Show in Surprise Video Message
How to Make Tortilla with Potatoes, Piquillo Peppers and Mancheg…
How to Make Sesame Cookies | Buddy Valastro
Michelle Obama Toasts Rach's 17 Years on the Air With a Heartfel…
How to Make Spanakopipasta | Rachael Ray
Andrew McCarthy Teases Upcoming "Brat Pack" Reunion Special
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
How to Make Shrimp Burgers | Jacques Pepin
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Andrew McCarthy Chokes Up Discussing Emotional Trip to Spain wit…
We tasked best-selling author and physician Dr. Ian Smith with breaking down some of the most popular social media health trends: from chia seeds for weight loss to “nature cereal”. Here, he explains whether or not it’s safe to use hydrogen peroxide to clean out your ears.
Trend: Pour hydrogen peroxide into your ear canal to help resolve earwax buildup
Dr. Ian Says: Don't do this
"We all know that hydrogen peroxide works for cuts, scrapes, those kinds of things, but you have to be very careful with hydrogen peroxide because it could be very irritating. It can irritate your tempanic membrane, which is your eardrum and cause major problems," Dr. Ian explains.
Dr. Ian also wants you to know that ear wax is good. "The reason why the body has ear wax is to prevent certain types of irritants from getting into your inner ear," he adds.
So, if you want to get rid of some of your external ear wax that's closer to the outside, go into your shower and use warm water. Use nothing smaller than your finger because you don't want to reach into your membrane," Dr. Ian says.
"The one thing I want to say about Q-tips is that you have to be very careful. The recommendation is to use your finger. People tend to insert the Q-tip too far and they puncture their membranes. So, be very careful if you're going to use Q-tips," he explains.