Wax ear candles: instructions for use

The presence of sulfur in the human hearing organs serves to protect them from the penetration of microbes, dirt and dust particles. This substance is produced in a normal manner by special glands, but in the presence of certain factors, the secretion accumulates in increased quantities and causes the formation of plugs. The presence of the latter provokes hearing impairment and can lead to inflammation of the middle ear. Ear plug suppositories, a special form of medication sold in pharmacies, help effectively combat this problem.

Ear candles: description

Candles for sulfur plugs are made in two main versions - in the form of sticks and funnels.

The first variety contains:

• plant esters;
• medicinal herbs;
• beeswax.

Ear candle sticks containing essential oils generally have a fabric base impregnated with wax. They are distinguished by their ability to burn for a long time, creating a vacuum in the ear canal. Such medications belong to the category of herbal medicines and exhibit analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Herbal sticks are created by adding dried and crushed medicinal plants combined with wax or paraffin. These products also have a fabric base impregnated with a medicinal composition. When an ear candle burns and melts, the plugs soften, medicinal substances are released, pain and inflammation are relieved, and pathogens are destroyed.

Some tube-shaped preparations have a wax base. Such products not only help soften plugs in the ear canals, but also help fight harmful bacteria, inflammation, and accelerate wound healing.

Funnel candles are made similarly to sticks - they have a fabric structure impregnated with wax and herbal ingredients. These products can burn for a long time and form a vacuum environment in the ear canal. Such products soften the structure of sulfur plugs, reduce existing inflammatory processes, relieve pain and swelling.

What is the action of the product?

Phytosuppositories are an effective method for complex therapy of ear diseases. You can make them yourself, but most often, ready-made herbal funnels are used, which are purchased in pharmacy chains. These are thin tubes, the basis of which is cotton fabric.

It is pre-impregnated with beeswax. Sometimes phytocandles also contain other ingredients, for example, essential oils: cinnamon, sage, eucalyptus, lavender, coniferous plants, extracts from medicinal plants.

What is the operating principle of this product? The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the slow combustion of the tube, transferring heat to the inflamed area. Since the heat is released slowly, the therapeutic effect is gentle.

Also, during combustion, a vacuum appears in the ear canal, which contributes to a kind of massaging of the tympanic cavity. The result is an improvement in the outflow of contents, elimination of swelling, and regulation of the circulation of blood fluid.

Thus, phytocandles help restore deteriorated sound perception and get rid of the disease.

Painful sensations after using such a product are significantly reduced, spasm is eliminated, and the severity of the pathological process is reduced.

It also additionally relieves difficulty breathing and eliminates swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.

Indications for the use of ear candles

Indications for the use of ear suppositories:

• Copious accumulations of wax in the ear canals.
• Acute viral (bacterial) processes in the upper respiratory tract.
• ENT pathologies accompanied by inflammation, ear pain, and headache.
• Varieties of otitis media that occur without discharge of pus.
• Eustachitis, pharyngitis.

• Adenoiditis, tonsillitis in chronic form.
• Vasomotor rhinitis, which causes congestion of the ear canals.
• Regular headaches, insomnia.
• Inflammation of the nasal sinuses that has become chronic.
• Acoustic neuritis.

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Symptoms of ear otosclerosis, treatment with and without surgery, folk remedies, prognosis

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This form of medication is also indicated in case of a decrease in the intensity of ear noise that occurs against the background of Meniere's disease or sensorineural hearing loss.

Ear candles are prescribed to patients of any age. The use of such drugs in children becomes possible only in the absence of fear of fire.

Price for ear candles

Phytosuppositories can be bought at a pharmacy, online store, or online pharmacy. Depending on the region of the country, prices for goods will differ by several rubles. Most sales points in St. Petersburg and Moscow offer a home delivery service for candles. You do not need a doctor's prescription to purchase ear sticks. Before use, it is recommended to check the integrity of the product and compliance with the packaging presented on the official website of ear cleaning candles.

Features of application for removing wax plugs

Removing large accumulations of sulfur secretion using suppositories is highly effective, but is carried out only if there are medical indications, after a preliminary examination of the hearing organs by an otolaryngologist. It is not recommended to use suppositories on your own - this can result in harm to your own health.

To eliminate sulfur plugs in children, there are special products that have reduced sizes and differ from adult medications in structure and structure.

Features of application

Like any medicine, phytosuppositories with beeswax have their own characteristics in use.

Treatment of otitis media

Cannot be used for purulent otitis media. The peculiarity of wax funnels is their warming effect, which, in the presence of pus, can aggravate the situation. Before use, you must be diagnosed by an otolaryngologist and make sure that ear suppositories for otitis media will not cause harm.

In children, treating ears with otitis media with beeswax should be done with extreme caution. A child's body is more sensitive than an adult. It is important to ensure that there are no allergic reactions or side effects. For otitis media, propolis therapy can be used if the child is not allergic to bee products.

Ear cleaning

For this purpose, it is better to use phytosuppositories with various additives. Reamed and Tentorium are good drugs that quickly relieve ear congestion, cleanse earwax and prevent its re-accumulation for a long period.

The effectiveness of wax suppositories in cleaning the ears lies in the creation of vibration waves. They literally push dust and dirt to the surface, gently cleaning the ear canal.

Removing traffic jams

Classic funnels without additives are suitable. Due to vibration waves and the thermal effect, the plug melts and subsequently easily comes out of the ear canal.

Instructions for use of candles

After your doctor prescribes ear suppositories, you must carefully prepare for the upcoming procedure. You should not use suppositories on your own to unblock the ear canals and eliminate other problems that arise in the hearing organs. All manipulations are performed together with an assistant (assistant).

Sequencing

During the session you must do the following:

1. Place the patient on his side with a small pillow under his head.
2. Lubricate the ear canal with baby cream.
3. Massage the auricle (avoiding intense movements).
4. Cover your ear with a napkin with a small hole.
5. Carefully place the product in the ear canal area.
6. Set fire to the outside of the suppository.

During therapy, the candle must be constantly held to avoid it falling out. It will take about 10 minutes for complete burning. If all actions are performed correctly, the patient will feel warmth and comfort during the session.

When the candle burns down to the existing mark, it is carefully removed using tweezers and extinguished in a container of water. After this, the ear is cleaned of sulfur masses using cotton swabs or flagella soaked in antiseptic. Then a cotton swab moistened with a small amount of alcohol or alcohol tincture of medicinal plants is inserted into the auricle and left to act for 15 minutes.

If the plug is also in the second ear, all manipulations are repeated in the described sequence.

It is recommended to clean the ears from wax seals in the evening, shortly before bed.

Necessary Precautions

During the procedure, you will need to constantly monitor the burning of the healing stick or funnel. The remainder of the suppository should not extend beyond the special mark. If this rule is not followed, home treatment may result in a burn wound.

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Causes and treatment of ear congestion, what to do at home if it doesn’t go away for a long time

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You should also avoid getting combustion products (ash, melted wax) into your ears. If these elements of the suppository nevertheless penetrate inside, it is necessary to carefully free the ear canal from them.

After removing the remains of the candle, it is useful to remain at rest for at least 20 minutes. For several hours following the session, you should not leave the room or be in drafts. On the day of the procedure, you should avoid washing your hair and prevent moisture from entering the hearing organs.

Adults should remember that if the procedure is performed on a child, you should not leave the little patient alone with a candle in his ear.

Frequency of procedures

The therapeutic effect obtained from the use of an ear suppository is maintained for two days. In the presence of dense sulfur formations, such drugs are used daily until positive results are obtained. It is important to take into account that if after 2-3 procedures there is no improvement, it is necessary to stop treatment measures and seek advice from a specialist.

A single use of ear suppositories is often sufficient to clear blocked ear canals. In order to prevent pathology, such drugs are recommended to be administered no more than twice every 30 days.

Indications and contraindications for the use of phytosuppositories

Indications for use:

• diseases of the ear, nose and throat, having an inflammatory cause, both acute and chronic. This may be rhinitis, otitis, tonsillitis or pharyngitis;
• inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis;
• wax plugs in the ears;
• ringing in the ear;
• migraine, vertigo, headache;
• nervous state, irritability;
• sleep problems.

The instructions for use warn that it is better not to self-medicate, even if reviews recommend using candles at home. How to use ear candles can be read below.

Mode of application. It is advisable to carry out treatment with such suppositories with an assistant. You need to prepare a special napkin or scarf made of natural fabric, water, cotton wool, cream, matches.

The patient should be placed on his side. Place your head on a low pillow and cover it with a scarf with a hole for your ear. To make the phytocandle more effective, massage the auricle using baby cream. After the massage, the upper end of the candle is lit, and the lower end is inserted into the ear. The duration of the procedure is determined by the combustion time of the phytocandle. There is a mark on it, up to which the candle should burn. Then the candle is pulled out and extinguished in a glass of water.

Next you need to clean it. You will need turundas to clean your ears. With their help, it is necessary to remove all the dirt that appears in the ear canal. If necessary, carry out the procedure with the second ear.

After treatment, the patient should not get up immediately. He should lie on his side for 15 minutes, covering his head with a warm scarf. Also, after using phytosuppositories, you should not wash your hair for 12 hours.

The course of treatment for otitis media and other inflammations is 1 time every 3 days until complete recovery. For chronic types of disease, phytofunnels are used once a week for 1.5 months. To remove plugs, ear candles are placed until the ear is completely clean. All specified periods are conditional.

Not everyone can use phytocandles if their ears hurt. They have contraindications:

• purulent secretions from the ears;
• membrane damage;
• allergy to bee products;
• head tumor.

If all of the above reasons are absent, then all the same, you cannot use candles without a doctor’s recommendation.

Before using a herbal funnel, you need to check for an allergy to wax. When phytosuppositories are used correctly, there are no side effects. Otherwise, there may be burns to the membrane and ear canal.

Contraindications

Patients are prohibited from undergoing therapy with ear candles:

• with elevated body temperature;
• purulent discharge from the hearing organs;
• perforation of the eardrum;
• pathologies of the ear canals;
• skin lesions on the outside of the ears;
• tumors in the head area (including the maxillofacial region of the face);
• intolerance to the components of the medications used.

The use of suppositories against sulfur plugs is unacceptable in acute cases of sinusitis, mastoiditis, and otosclerosis.

It is not recommended to use drugs in the form of suppositories if the patient has previously experienced any negative reactions to such drugs.

Popular brands of phytocandles for removing wax plugs

Most specialists prescribe the following brands of ear suppositories to adult patients:

1. Reamed.
2. Diaz.
3. Doctor Vera candles.
4. IP Sergeants.

To unblock the ear canals in childhood, products from the brands Phytomedicine, PE Konyukhov, and Alkion are intended.

The cost of drugs in the form of suppositories is usually low - in the range of 24-120 rubles. Packages of medicine contain several suppositories (from 2 to 4).

Most pharmacies sell ear candles over the counter. Before purchasing a product, you should ensure that the product is intact and has a valid expiration date.

The principle of the therapeutic effect of ear candles

1. After lighting a candle, beeswax significantly reduces the rate of burning of the fabric it has impregnated.
2. A slight decrease in pressure in the candle tube, caused by the draft of the flame, which has a vibrating nature, leads to a slight massage of the eardrum and improves its blood circulation.
3. Part of the warm air mixed with the aroma of herbs, under the influence of negative pressure inside the tube, penetrates to the eardrum along the outer contour of the candle and exerts its effect on the distal parts of the external auditory canal.
4. The increase in blood flow also leads to the effect of a local increase in temperature, perceived by the patient as pleasant warmth.
5. The pressure in the middle and inner ear, in the paranasal sinuses (frontal, maxillary) is equalized.
6. Normalizing pressure in the inner ear and sinuses relieves pain, improves nasal breathing, and restores the range of smell lost during illness.
7. The negative pressure created during combustion in the tube frees the cavity of the ear canal from excess earwax and removes cerumen plugs.
8. According to reviews from those who have undergone this procedure, the crackling and noise of the flame has a calming and relaxing effect and promotes relaxation.

Even until recently, the opinion of doctors regarding the use of ear phytocandles was ambiguous. Basically, the denial of this method of treatment was based on its use by patients in cases where it was categorically contraindicated. Some otolaryngologists have encountered difficulty assessing the condition of the eardrum due to its contamination with soot from burning a candle, which occurs with insufficient hygiene of the ear canal at the end of the procedure.

In addition, in cases where the instructions for using ear candles were violated, there was a risk of clogging the ear canal with beeswax.

But the effectiveness of using phytosuppositories, when used correctly, has already been proven by specialists from a number of countries, including on the basis of research work by employees of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Samara State Medical University in 2004. The data they obtained was confirmed by clinical medical trials, as a result of which ear candles were recommended for use in hospital and at home.