Washing the ear with hydrogen peroxide is a frequently used cleaning method, but it involves a series of risks often related to certain ear conditions and incorrect dosage. While it can be a useful solution, hydrogen peroxide must be handled carefully to ensure that it helps rather than hurts. It is important to underline that hydrogen peroxide should not be used without prior consultation with a hearing care specialist.
Cleaning the ears with hydrogen peroxide is a common method to remove excess earwax in the ear canal. Often people use either special over-the-counter drops or a mixture composed partly of warm water (96.8° F) and hydrogen peroxide, which is injected with a syringe inside the ear canal. However, as previously mentioned, home use is not recommended because the maneuver, if not performed correctly, can cause damage to both the ear canal and the eardrum.
Due to the production of atomic oxygen, hydrogen peroxide has disinfecting properties. Since oxygen is produced during the application, it only kills pathogens that live in anaerobic conditions. The belief that hydrogen peroxide in the ear can address any infection is wrong. The use of hydrogen peroxide to clean the ears can involve certain risks, many of which link to particular ear conditions or incorrect use. Products with a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide that are not sufficiently diluted can lead to:
In individuals who are hearing aid users, or are experiencing an ear infection, or suffer from a damaged eardrum, the use of hydrogren peroxide can be even more harmful and is therefore absolutely not recommended. Ask a doctor before use if you have:
Ear cleaning with hydrogen peroxide can be carried out using special over-the-counter drops, applied inside the ear canal, or with a syringe of at least 100 ml equipped with a special nozzle to irrigate the ear canal with a mixture of warm water and hydrogen peroxide. The correct maneuver involves:
Before carrying out this series of steps, always ask your doctor for their opinion on whether this is a safe course of action for your situation.
Some people use hydrogen peroxide in the ear to prevent ear infections, as a few drops of hydrogen peroxide can cleanse the ear of dangerous bacteria that could infect it.
While it can be a useful solution, hydrogen peroxide must be handled carefully to ensure that it helps rather than hurts. This procedure shouldn’t be repeated too frequently and only in small doses; hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation, pain and inflammation to the sensitive skin and parts of the ear, especially in concentrations above 10%.
Regular cleaning of the ear helps prevent infections and the accumulation of bacteria and viruses, as well as earwax. While cleaning with hydrogen peroxide can be carried out independently is not recommended, especially when experiencing ear conditions such as infections or lesions of the ear canal and the tympanic membrane.
