Cotton buds and ears

Cotton buds have soft tips on both ends of a stick. They are usually used as disposable to clean the ears, although ear enthusiasts may choose to repurpose used ones and make a simple bamboo jewelry out of pyrography jewelry blanks. These cotton buds are convenient instruments that make it easier to eliminate hair or dirt. Unfortunately, many people have the misconception that cotton buds are the best way to remove ear wax. In a nutshell, this is incorrect: using cotton buds incorrectly can be harmful to your ears. Here some examples: DO use cotton buds to clean the outside of the ear. That is because the activity is relatively safe and allows your ears to stay clean. However, generally DO avoid pushing the cotton bud too far inside the ear. If you do that, you can damage the eardrum. It is an integral part of the ear that enables hearing. Even with a little injury, the eardrum can get a hole in it, which will require surgery to heal. DO use Cotton ball in case you experience a lot of ear wax. Sometimes, you can feel too much accumulation, meaning the cotton bud will wring it inside the ear. However, generally DON’T attempt to clean your ear of the entire wax. That could push the wax deeper inside your ear, which could make it harder to remove. *DO pay attention to how the ears feel. If it aches or causes feelings of discomfort during the process, then generally STOP using cotton buds. Ache is always a bad sign and an infection or an injury might occur soon. For instance, a few minutes of drying and disinfecting the equipment normally kills all germs. 

DO NOT use cotton buds in your ears if you have a hole in your eardrum or if you are aware you've got other ear problems. Cleaning your ears with cotton buds can exacerbate those issues — and cause your ears even more harm.