Cleaning the inside of your ears with cotton swabs is not recommended. This habit can lead to serious consequences for ear health, including infections and even hearing loss due to the risk of eardrum injuries.
For many people, cotton swabs are a long-time companion of post-shower routines, used to remove moisture and give that “extra” cleaning touch. However, even though it may provide a sensation of relief, this practice is not recommended by otolaryngologists.
Earwax — also called cerumen — is a substance produced by the ceruminous and sebaceous glands in the outer ear. It is mainly composed of fatty acids and also contains shed skin cells.
Thanks to its composition, the primary function of earwax is to protect the ears from water entry, foreign particles, and the growth of pathogenic microorganisms inside the external auditory canal.
Some people produce more earwax than usual, and in certain situations, earwax may become more noticeable and create a feeling of clogged ears — especially after swimming or frequent exposure to seawater.
In these cases, moisture can soften the earwax slightly and create that familiar sensation of water trapped inside the ears — a feeling that many people also try to resolve with a cotton swab.
But do you know why cotton swabs are not recommended for cleaning your ears? Keep reading and I’ll explain everything in detail.
- Why shouldn’t you use cotton swabs?
- What are the risks of using cotton swabs?
- How to know if the ear was injured or if there is disease?
- What is the correct way to clean the ears?
Why shouldn’t you use cotton swabs?
As mentioned earlier, earwax is a waxy substance mainly composed of fatty acids (which give it a slightly sticky texture) and has a mildly acidic pH, creating an unfavorable environment for microorganism growth.
Earwax lines the portion of the ear canal exposed to the environment. The sticky texture traps particles, preventing them from entering the ear; the acidic pH inhibits infections; and the wax coating protects the skin from dehydration.
It’s also important to know that earwax is produced only in the outermost portion of the ear canal. The deeper regions do not produce wax.
Even if you feel you are removing earwax — especially because some appears on the cotton swab — you are actually pushing this protective layer further inward, closer to the eardrum.
So, if earwax functions as a protective barrier or filter, pushing it deeper into the ear is the opposite of what should happen.
What are the risks of using cotton swabs?
Cotton swabs can be useful for cleaning the outer ear only. Their shape helps remove dirt from the folds of the ear. However, they should be kept away from your ear canal.
The main risks of cotton swabs include:
- impacted earwax (harder to remove later)
- infections
- skin injuries
- damage to the eardrum
Impacted cerumen occurs when earwax is repeatedly pushed toward the eardrum. This can form blockages that impair hearing and increase discomfort, requiring professional removal by an ENT doctor.
Additionally, the skin inside the ear canal is sensitive, and friction from the swab can cause small injuries — a direct gateway for serious infections.
How to know if the ear was injured or if there is disease?
Significant ear injuries usually trigger immediate pain — this is the main warning sign. Persistent ear pain (lasting beyond a few minutes) raises the likelihood of injury. You should also watch for any blood coming from the ear after using cotton swabs.
However, not all injuries are visible or painful. Even tiny micro-lesions can allow infections to develop.
Ear canal blockage can also affect hearing and cause symptoms like tinnitus — the perception of sounds without an external source.
What is the correct way to clean the ears?
Daily hygiene should be done with a towel, cleaning the outer ear and its folds, including the concha — the entrance of the ear, which is roughly the size of the tip of a towel-wrapped finger.
That natural proportion establishes the ideal limit of how far you should clean: only where your finger can comfortably reach — no deeper.
If you experience symptoms like hearing loss, tinnitus or a feeling of blocked ear, consult an otolaryngologist or a neurotologist. They can diagnose the cause and, if necessary, safely perform ear cleaning.