“I read your piece on ear candles and I must say I found it extremely [closed minded]. How do you explain all the studies proving they work?”
I’m not aware of any peer-reviewed studies proving that ear candles remove ear wax, cure inner ear infections or “detox” you. I did, however, find a few reports of people being injured by hot, dripping wax.
“Dr. Andrew Weil uses the term ‘hocus pocus’ and I think that pretty much sums up my view, too.”
What Ear Candles Are
Ear candles—just in case you’re not familiar with them—are long strips of “natural” fabric (most often linen) that are dipped in melted beeswax the rolled into a hollow cone shape and allowed to harden. After they harden, ear candles are inserted into the ear canal, lit on fire and allowed to burn down. Ear candles are supposed to do a variety of things—remove ear wax, reduce ear infections, and increase your lymph flow.
Some Questions to Ask Yourself about Ear Candles
You don’t need me to tell you that the “wax” in your ears is extremely sticky—not to mention very thick. How in the world can a “vacuum” created by a small flame possibly be strong enough to “pull” that wax out of your ear canal? And, assuming that it could, how could that “vacuum” not damage your eardrum in the process? When you stop to think about it, it just doesn’t make sense, does it?
So Why Do Ear Candles Work?
You know, I’ve read a lot of stories about ear candles on the internet but I’ve never actually met anyone who reported good results from candling—except for people selling them.
But let’s be fair. Perhaps some people find the process relaxing. (After all, when’s the last time you got to lie down and do nothing for 10 minutes in the middle of the day?) If ear candles work for some people, I suspect that the placebo response is at work.
Can Ear Candles Be Dangerous?
Studies show that ear candles don’t produce a vacuum or remove ear wax. Furthermore, a few people have actually had their eardrums damaged by wax that dripped into their ears and hardened there.
And don’t believe people who tell you that doctors don’t like ear candles just because they cut into a doctor’s “bottom line”, either. The standard treatment for excess ear wax is an over-the-counter ear wash formula you can buy in any pharmacy. Doctors have nothing to gain by debunking ear candles.
But, it’s your health. You tell me. Is ear candling something YOU would consider?
References:
Seely, D., et al. (1996). Ear candles—efficacy and safety.
Ernst, E. (2004). Ear candles: a triumph of ignorance over science.
Weil, A. (2005). Melting Out Ear Wax? Q & A Library, DrWeil.com.