Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the history and purpose of cotton buds?
Is using cotton buds bad for your ears? Thanks for asking. Polish-American man Leo Gerstenczang is credited with inventing the humble cotton bud in the 1920s, and the item has since gone on to be used for many different purposes, having originally been thought up as a baby hygiene product.
YouGov research from 2019 found that 62% of Brits use cotton buds to clean their ears, and 22% of us only use them for that purpose. That's particularly true for men, given women are more likely to use them for touching up nail polish mistakes or applying makeup. But you may well have heard warnings that cotton buds can be bad for you.
2019 also saw the unlikely case of a man who developed a severe bacterial infection which spread to the lining of his brain after the tip of a cotton bud got stuck inside his ear.
Chapter 2: Why are cotton buds potentially harmful for ear health?
He ended up having a seizure and had to be treated at University Hospital Coventry, according to LiveScience.com. So what's the reality then? And should you stop using cotton buds altogether?
Chapter 3: What are the natural functions of earwax?
What about my dirty ears?
First and foremost, it's important to understand that earwax isn't really dirty at all.
Chapter 4: What are the recommended safe methods for cleaning ears?
It's a mix of oily substances and minerals which are found naturally in our ear canals. It actually helps transmit sound to our eardrums. Think of it as a natural self-cleaning mechanism for your ears, acting as both a lubricant and a filter to trap dust and dead skin cells.
But of course many people find the sight of yellowy-browny earwax deposits unappealing and resort to using cotton swabs to remove them. The problem is that more often than not, instead of being removed, the earwax simply gets pushed deeper into the ear canal.
Chapter 5: What should I do if I have an earwax build-up?
That can lead to earwax build-ups forming and gradually impairing your hearing. Using cotton buds incorrectly can also cause damage to your eardrum and in rare cases lead to infections like the example we talked about a moment ago.
Are there any safe ways to clean the ears then?
Well, if you really feel like you need to use cotton buds, you could gently clean the outer parts of your ear and the visible part of the ear canal, but you absolutely must avoid pushing the swab inside. Other options include rinsing your ears with a gentle, low-pressure stream of warm water when showering. When you're done, simply pat the entrance of your ears with a clean towel to dry them.
Avoid using a damp cloth as that could potentially harbour bacteria and fungi, and never push the fabric inside your ear. You can also find bamboo ear cleaners, known as oraculis, in organic stores and pharmacies. They're eco-friendly and can last for years with proper care. Just remember to wash them with soap occasionally and use them gently.
What should I do if I've got an earwax build-up which just won't go away? The NHS advises using drops of olive or almond oil over a period of a few days in order to soften the lumps of earwax so that they eventually fall out. Check out their website for full details. If that fails, it's best to see your GP or an ENT doctor rather than continuing to try yourself.
Accumulated earwax can lead to sudden hearing loss, dizziness and even ear infections as water may become trapped behind the build-up. There you have it. Now you know whether using cotton buds is bad for your ears. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines.
Listen along and you will really know for sure.
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