The Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment for Ear Wax

58 User Reviews

5 star (50)		86%
1 star (7)		12%
(1)		2%

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Posted by June (KC, KS) on 01/12/2008
★★★★★

I also use store-bought H2O2 for use in my ears. I did have trouble with it leaving behind liquid and causing earache. And a couple times after using H2O2 I had sharp pains in my ears. I remedied this by putting a small amount of coconut oil in each ear after draining the H2O2 and it helped pretty quickly.

Now if I use H2O2 in my ears I add a drop of alcohol and only use a drop or two of H2O2 (full strength). This seems to be enough to ward off any virus-related earaches.

I also use H2O2 mixed with distilled water as a nasal wash and this is very effective in immediately ridding me of sore throat issues and any kind of infection I might feel at the back of my palate and upper portion of my throat where sinus drainage occurs. It burns a little, even with using distilled water, but I've come to recognize it as a good burn because I know it's killing the infection.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Xhellie (Coyle, Washington) on 12/07/2007
★★★★★

My son's ear canal was completely obstructed with ear wax. I know you're not supposed to use cotton swabs or bobby pins. I was so desperate to remove this blockage that I almost used a bobby pin. I was very skeptical to try this remedy because when I was younger I did this procedure to myself and left it too long. The ending result was the worst ear infection I have ever had.

This is the procedure I followed: I made my child lie on his side with the affected ear facing up. I pulled his ear lobe and used a head lamp so I could look deep into the ear. While still pulling the ear lobe back and up I dropped in the peroxide untill the ear was full. It bubbled immediately! I waited till the bubbling stopped, about 4 minutes and had him flip his head over and drain the peroxide. The peroxide that drained out was brown and murky so I knew it was working. We repeated this process several times, rinsing the ear with warm water between every peroxide "bath". After about 4 sessions I used the syringe to irrigate the ear and a huge ball of wax came ou of his ear. Upon inspection the ear canal was unblocked. Please remeber though, a layer of wax in your ear is a GOOD THING! Thanks again to Earth Clinic and everyone who contributed!!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Steve (Venice Fl) on 11/20/2006
★★★★★

Wow!! The hydrogen peroxide worked great for me. I could barely hear out of my left ear for nearly a week, so I used peroxide, for me it took nearly one hour to clear out the canal. I VERY highly recommed using peroxide to get a wax build up out of your ear. When in use in your ear, the peroxide bubbles and sizzles in your ear and the noise gets louder and louder as it clears out that disgusting old wax out of your ear. It was really fascinating though. Interesting experience.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Cass (Dover, DE) on 11/09/2006
★★★★★

Our pedicatrician was a really old fashioned doctor. He looked for ways to save his patients money and would recommend old timey remedies if he knew that they worked.

Our pedicatrician found that my son had excessive ear wax. He said he could clean the wax out but it would cost us money and be painful to my son. What our pediatrician recommended was to put olive oil in the ears at night and put a cotton ball in each ear. In the morning after breakfast my son was to lie down and I was to fill one ear at a time with peroxide and he was just to lie there for 15-20 minutes. When the time was up he was to flip his head over real quick to the other side. We did this for close to a week and saw good results. We appreciated the money and the pain that was saved by using a remedy that our pediatrician reccommended. Never again did our pediatrician say that my son had excessive ear wax. My son is now a grown man.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Usha (India) on 11/08/2006
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

I have a similar situation to Deb from Philadelphia. I would not suggest putting ANYTHING in an ear with a perforated eardrum or no eardrum at all. You must be careful to protect your middle and inner ear from being damaged. They have a very specific Ph and a system of dealing with invaders. The reason your eardrums burst is because your eustachian tubes are probably closed, not just blocked. Ear infections are one of the most common childhood diagnosis because children's eustachian tubes are not fully developed. Many adults have malformed or closed eustachian tubes becuase their's never developed from childhood or because of allergies. First of all you need to address your allergies because nothing will work that you try unless that is also under control. Some ENTs also conduct allergy tests becuase the whole system is so closely connected as is balance ie. verigo. There is a new surgery which I just had to open a closed eustachian tube. It is called eustachian tubectomy. They endoscopically go in through your mouth and shave the sides of your eustachian tube utilizing the scar tissue that will develop to cause the eustachian tube to function properly. I had this procedure as well as a tympanoplasty which is a rebuilidng of ear drum. The first attempt at closing the ear drum was unsuccessful but the second time they used another new procedure that uses the cartilage from the little flap of skin outside of the opening to the ear to close the ear drum and this cartilage creates a very strong structure. Now I no longer sound like a broken speaker in my head! I would highly suggest you get your allergies under control and really try to surgically fix your eardrums ESPECIALLY before you start considering putting things in your ears. Your hearing will be negatively affected to say the least as well as your inner ear which could cause worse vertigo and balance problems. If you aren't already you should be wearing earplugs, never go swimming or bathe unprotected (this could be causing infections, having water in your middle ear). Ear plugs should not "go down too far" as you say becuase your ear canal is much longer than you think. Any ear plug I've ever used won't go deep enough to be a problem. You can have custom ear plugs made to fit your ear which are the most comfortable option in my opinion. Don't mess around with ears, they're too delicate.

Replied by Bud
(Ballston Lake, Ny)
12/31/2011

Usha, You are right about not putting anything in your ears especially if you have perforated eardrums. When I was six months old, Both eardrums burst. All my life I have had ear problems. I am now 85 plus. I have been to so many doctors. All they do is give me ear drops. I think that if they fixed my ears, then they lost a customer, Soooo, keep giving me eardrops and I will be back. After all, they are being paid pretty good. Bud

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Natasha (UK) on 10/09/2006
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Anyone with major ear problems, please do not use hydrogen peroxide, particularly Deb with the broken ear drum! It is basically bleach and is a really fierce chemical. It only works to clear earwax and you must be sure this is where your problem is coming from if you want to use it. In the UK, hydrogen peroxide is NOT recommended by doctors even for this - they actually recommend pharmaceutical olive oil, which is sterilised, mixes with the wax and helps it soften and clear naturally.

Ears are delicate and can easily be sent out of balance. I used to use q-tips to clean my ears and now suffer from chronic otitis externa, which is basically eczma in the outer ear. I haven't noticed earwax for years, just a dampness and whitish discharge. This, with the "debris" which collects in the ear (dead skin), provides a perfect environment for bacteria to breed in.

The first time I ever had an infection was when I had had a cold, used q-tips and took a long-haul flight with two changeovers. I had the WORST ear infection when I landed the third time and spent the next week in bed on antibiotics and painkillers in the most horrendous pain. That was five and a half years ago and I now have to use ear plugs in any situation where my ears can get wet (swimming, showering) or I will get an infection within 24 hours. I also have to be very careful to avoid introducing germs to the ear with a hand or headphones etc - in-ear headphones are not an option! This is actually a pretty common condition, is most often caused by using q-tips and is not curable. I'm 24.

Saying this, I have heard that garlic can be a very good antibiotic and also Hopi ear candles are great for clearing blocked sinuses. I am very cautious in using anything non-prescribed myself these days as my condition is so sensitive that I'm afraid anything will set it off, but these are gentle enough not to be so bad. Regarding hydrogen peroxide, if you are more resiliant, maybe have a go, but with more serious conditions, don't risk it! And don't ever use it for an extended time. These are all things your doctors should be telling you - there are a lot of advantages to free medicine...

Replied by Earthclinicfan
(Venus, Claidoux)
07/26/2012

Quick Hit: Spry xylitol gum cures chronic ear infection

Here is a totally NON-scary super-easy *too-good-to-be-true-but-it-works* cure for infection of ears, throat, or gums or for stuffy nose. It can even cure a strep throat. Could put lots of *specialist* doctors out of business. Cure: xylitol gum or candy, made by the company Spry in peppermint or spearmint, works like a miracle. I have tried some other brands of gum/candy containing Xylitol that do not seem to work as powerfully for me, but if you cannot find the Spry brand xylitol chewing gum and peppermints (available at the Vitamin Shoppe, Sprouts, and online) you might try other brands. I do not know if it is the added mint that makes this brand so much more effective for me or what, but it still blows my mind every time I use it, how effective it is and how time and how much money is wasted on our U.S. Health crisis sheerly because no one knows about/ uses the easy, simple remedies.

God bless everyone on this page and this site! Note: xylitol is not as creepy as it sounds - it is actually birch tree sugar with a Frankenstein kind of name, and was developed as a sugar substitue during WWII in Finland. It can cause stomach gas in some people if you eat or drink a lot of it in beverages or baked goods (using it as sugar substitute in the recipe), but for chewing gum/ peppermints to get rid of ear infection or sore throat it should not be a problem. I would try the gum to start with. In fact xylitol gum was initially brought to the U.S. as a cure for kids with chronic ear infections. If you buy it at the Vitamin Shoppe store, ask the clerk for the *online price* at check out and you get a huge % discount. It's very affordable; under $8 for a bottle of 60 or 100 pieces or so. Xylitol also has many other positive *side effects*! Google it and see!

Replied by Oldgal
(Toronto, Ontario Canada)
09/29/2012

I'm 73 and have been using peroxide since my mid-twenties. I have found that putting a few drops of mineral in the ear helps. Take hold of the ear lobe and gently rotate it so that the oil goes deep into the ear then stopper the ear with a bit of cotton ball. Leave it alone for a few hours or overnight and then use peroxide and warm water mixed in equal amounts the following day. I find this keeps any irritation to the ear to a minimum but the effect is just as good. I generally do a treatment like this towards the end of the summer when the first cool days and nights tend to solidify any wax that has built up during the warm months. It helps to get rid of it before winter sets in.... Of course if you are in California you wont' need to worry about this!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Rita (Hunstville, AL) on 07/10/2006
★★★★★

Hi, I just wanted to comment that I personally use hydrogen peroxide each and every day to help clean my ears with a Q-tip. This actually helps to combat itchy ears and less wax buildup.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Floyd (Fort Worth TX) on 04/28/2006
★★★★★

About 43 years ago, we went to Plat National Park in Sulphur, Oklahoma. The water there is very cold and has a lot of sulphur in it. It gave all 3 of our children, and myself an ear infection. Mine was so bad, I had to go to the Dr. He told me to mix Hydrogen Peroxide and Alcohol 50/50 .He said the Peroxide would kill the infection and the alcohol would dry up the Peroxide. If you don't get the Peroxide out, your ear will hurt more. Since then we have never went to the Dr. for an ear problem. THANK GOD.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Joanne (Cleveland, OH) on 03/17/2006
★★★★★

First of all I LOVE LOVE LOVE your website...it is so helpful...I love to look up and find all these rememdies...KEEP EM COMING! My father when i was little put hydrogen peroxide in my Ear....at first i was a little.. scared.. but then when he put it in all i felt was a little fizzing and bubbling..and right away my earache went away and the pressure. I AM SO GLAD! that i now know how to clear my earaches and ear infection and tell everyone i know!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by JC (Toronto, Ontario) on 03/15/2006
★★★★★

I had a plugged ear for a few days with excess earwax. Faced with the option of having an ENT use a mini-vacuum if lavage didn't work I decided to try this out. I softened the earwax first by applying warm olive oil to a cotton swab then placing it in my ear for 10 minutes. Then I droppered the H2O2 in. It did generate some heat causing a mild burning sensation when the oxygen bubbles were releasing but it was only mildly uncomfortable. I did the wash for ~20min and followed with the rubbing alcohol which did cause some stinging. However, I can hear again without having to wait for a referral to and ENT so I'm very happy. Thanks for the advice.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Somran (Las Vegas, NV) on 03/13/2006
★★★★★

Peroxide Cured My Ears Infection And My Sore Throat.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Chandra (Virginia) on 03/03/2006
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

I tried hydrogen peroxide in my left ear two nights in a row. After the first night, the problem seemed to be showing signs of clearing up, so I decided to follow up. Now I have a horrible ache in my left ear. The two small itchy bumps in my ear are almost gone, but now the inside of my ear is hurting very badly. I don't think I will try this again.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by John (Bangor, ME) on 03/01/2006
★★★★★

I worked in cabinet shops from 1983 to 1998, and I used to get ear infections from sawdust. After I went to a doctor that used a water pick on my ear I heard about using Hydrogen peroxide. As soon as I felt an infection coming on, I would flush my ear with it. The pain would normally go away with in 24 hours.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Robin (Haines,Alaska) on 02/04/2006
★★★★★

I've used hydrogen peroxide for years to "bubble" my 5 sons' ears. One of my sons had deeply impacted wax so bad that an ear Dr. wanted to operate on him to remove it. I asked him if there was another alternative and he said we could try cleaning his ears with one of those over the counter kits.We opted for daily syringing of the ear with 3% hydrogen peroxide,and rinsing with a diluted apple cider vinegar solution afterwards to replace natural ph to the ear, after several days black rocks 1/8"in size began to come out of his ear! We worked on his ear daily for about 3 weeks. Upon returning to the Ear Dr. he gave him a clean bill of health. He was 3yrs. old then and is 20yrs. old now and has had no ear problems since!

Replied by Nysuccess
(Poughkeepsie, Ny, Usa)
08/11/2011

I am having a problem even after reading all comments. Since I was a kid I can't stand liquid filling up my ears. The pressure makes me jump and tilt my head to try to get it out. Once air is then able to get in, I calm down. I have never swam under water because of this; I just can't tolerate the canal being filled w/fluid. In the shower I block the water from getting in an always tell hairdresser to keep the water out of my ears. I use qtips but never farther than just a smidgen into the 'hole' of the entrance and gently use a wash rag to clean them because I'm overly sensitive to this. I need an idea on how to remove the wax via gently dripping liquid in but not filling it up. I have a blockage for sure in there and doc's nurse tried irrigation only to have me keep from trying to move away, so they said they couldn't help, told me to come back after a few days of using Debrox and they'll torture me again! I can't do it. The irrigation was a bad experience bc of my sensitive ears & the feeling of too much liquid.

Please, I'm desperate. Twice I tried small drops allowing them to flow a little into canal and I know I didn't use enough bc nothing came out when I tried tipping my head to release the few drops of peroxide/warm water mix, and I used the bulb squirter to gently whisk some warm water into the hole. I just can't do it. Tried super gentle using "loop" end of Bobby pin and was too scared to insert any more than a little. When I used Bobby pin gently, I insert a tiny bit & feel a "wall" that stops me from going further & am afraid to "dig into" it so I just give up. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET IT OUT. This is upsetting- I want to be able to hear fully again. :( is there a way to gently drip something in that will dissolve it on it's own? Or do I have no other choices? I can't let doc ram rod into my ear bc he will walk out with a black eye. :( Help please!

Replied by Tess
(Pb, Florida, Usa)
08/12/2011

Hydrogen peroxide will dissolve your ear wax. I have used this method for many years now. Use very small amounts of peroxide at a time since you are so sensitive. Try wetting a q-tip with peroxide and you won't have the feeling of liquid in your ear canal. That's a gentle method I used on my children. The peroxide should fizz up right away, but try not to shake it out. Since you are doing it in small amounts, you will probably have to do it day after day to slowly dissolve the wax. Best of luck.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Sarah (Annapolis, MD) on 11/18/2005
★★★★★

this peroxide treatment is wonderful..I have used it many times. I have been to the doctor for years due to my ear problems and nothing has ever helped long term except peroxide. It's great!!