Ear candles are hollow cones typically made from a fabric tube soaked in beeswax or paraffin. This product is promoted under the idea of thermal-auricular therapy to address ear-related issues. While commercially available online and in some health stores, major health organizations have raised significant concerns regarding their safety and effectiveness. This article explores the process and claims of ear candling, contrasting them with scientific findings and detailing the documented health risks.
Understanding the Ear Candling Process
Ear candling involves the user lying on their side while the tapered end of the hollow candle is gently placed into the outer ear canal. The opposite end of the candle is then lit and allowed to burn for a set period. Proponents claim the heat creates a gentle, negative pressure or vacuum within the ear canal. This alleged vacuum supposedly draws out excess earwax, known as cerumen, and other impurities or toxins from the inner ear. When the candle is extinguished, a dark, waxy residue is often visible inside the cone, which is presented as the removed earwax and debris.
Why Scientific Evidence Contradicts the Claims
Scientific testing consistently demonstrates that the claims about ear candling are physically implausible. The heat generated by the burning candle is insufficient to create any measurable negative pressure or vacuum inside the ear canal. Studies confirm that ear candling does not draw out cerumen; in fact, no earwax is removed from the ear during the procedure. The dark, waxy substance found inside the used candle is actually a byproduct of the burning candle itself. This residue consists of burned candle wax, fabric, and soot, which gives the false appearance of extracted earwax and debris.
Documented Health Dangers
Ear candling poses several clear and documented physical risks to the ear and surrounding areas. The most common danger is burns to the face, outer ear, ear canal, and eardrum from the open flame or hot dripping wax. Candle wax can also drip down the hollow tube and into the ear canal, creating a new earwax blockage that often requires professional medical removal. More serious injuries include perforation of the eardrum, which can lead to hearing loss and secondary infections. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers against using ear candles, stating they pose a health hazard.
Medically Approved Methods for Ear Hygiene
For individuals concerned about earwax buildup, several safe, medically approved methods exist for managing ear hygiene. Over-the-counter ear drops, often containing mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide, can be used to soften and break down earwax. These softening agents, called cerumenolytics, allow the body’s natural cleaning process to remove the wax more easily. If at-home methods are not effective, a healthcare provider can perform a professional cleaning. This may involve ear irrigation, using a gentle stream of warm water to flush out the wax, or microsuction, which safely removes the wax using a small suction device.