"It Feels Good to Dig with a Cotton Swab, But..." Habitual Ear Cleaning Can Be Risky [Health Issue]

[The Financial News] A warning has been issued against the habit of cleaning ears with ear picks or cotton swabs. Such actions can negatively impact ear health and should be avoided.
Many people clean their ears to remove earwax or moisture. Some do it out of habit, enjoying the peculiar sense of relief it brings, while others believe that pushing a cotton swab deep inside the ear is the only way to get rid of discomfort.
However, not many realize that this habit can actually harm ear health.

On the 5th, Sunwoo Woong-sang, a professor at Gachon University Gil Hospital's Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), emphasized, "The ear is a delicate and sensitive organ. If there are no particular symptoms, the best way to care for it is to avoid unnecessary stimulation."
Professor Sunwoo further explained, "Earwax is not just waste; it acts as a barrier that protects the ear canal skin from bacteria and dust. It creates a mildly acidic environment (pH about 6.1) and contains antimicrobial substances such as lysozyme and saturated fatty acids, which inhibit microbial growth."
He added, "Most earwax is naturally expelled from the ear, so there is no need to forcibly remove it. In fact, repeatedly using cotton swabs or ear picks can cause serious problems for ear health."
Storing cotton swabs or ear picks in humid places like bathrooms increases the risk of bacterial or fungal contamination. Using contaminated tools in the ear can introduce bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or fungi directly into the ear canal, potentially causing Otitis externa or fungal infections.
Professor Sunwoo also stressed, "The tympanic membrane is less than 0.1 mm thick and can be easily damaged by even slight pressure. Inserting an ear pick too deeply can cause bleeding, perforation of the tympanic membrane, or, in severe cases, progress to Otitis media. Extra caution is needed."

bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter