The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Kelly (Nashville, TN) on 01/18/2009
★★★★★
When I was a little girl, I remember my Mom using hydrogen peroxide to clean the excess wax from my Dad's ears. He would lie on one side and she would pour a capful or so into his ear. Once the "bubbling" subsided, she placed a folded hand towel over the ear and had him turn over to the other side. Once both ears were done, she would gently dry the ear with a tissue. We never used a QTip in the ear!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Kyle (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 12/09/2009
★★★★★
The peroxide method does work! I tried it and it helped clear my blockage.
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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Bud (Ballston Lake, Ny) on 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...
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Oldgal (Toronto, Ontario Canada) on 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 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 Nysuccess (Poughkeepsie, Ny, Usa) on 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!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Tess (Pb, Florida, Usa) on 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 CS (Toronto, Ontario CANADA) on 08/30/2005
★★★★★
This works FANTASTIC!! I couldn't hear for a week out of one ear and the day I tried this home remedy I could hear again! I was reading that you should follow up this remedy by flushing out your ear with rubbing alcohol to dry out the wetness that the hydrogen peroxide may leave behind. Warm wet places are a haven for bacteria growth so the alcohol treatment is essential.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Amanda (Austin, TX) on 07/12/2005
★★★★★
At 21 years old, i can never remember a time that my ears bothered me. Not even the 6 years i was on swim team. However, recently I developed a dull ache in one ear that progressed to a full blow keep you up at night pain. I have tried everything and as a last ditch effort before resorting to the doctor, i attempted your suggestion. I left the peroxide in for a full 20 minutes and followed with rubbing alcohol to dry the ear out afterwards. it provided temporary relief but the pain returned. It is 4 am and I will try to get some sleep. I will keep you informed on how it feels in the morning. Thanks!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Samantha (UK)
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I used hydrogen peroxide tonight for ear wax. I was woken 3 hours later with severe pain. I have called A&E and i must go to them as now i have a thermos burn in my ear. It's 3am in the morning i have 4 young children asleep in bed and i am waiting for my sister who lives 40mins away to get here to sit with them....so much for hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Alicia (St. Louis, MO/USA) on 03/09/2009
My father used to do this to me when I was younger and had wax build-up. It worked every time I knew there was just "build-up". I tried to do the remedy once when my ear actually hurt. Bad decision. As soon as the drop hit the ear.... pain. Severe pain. I wouldn't recommend doing this remedy if you show signs of infection. For standard cleaning, this method works great. Except, if you give yourself a treatment on a Monday... wait a few days before doing another. Doing this on a daily basis may cause irritation or the "water" feeling in the ear.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Jade (Peoria, IL)
★★★★★
Our family has used this since I was a small child. I have never had any ear problems what so ever and continue to use this procedure today.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Linda (Asheboro, NC)
★★★★★
I had used hydrogen peroxide in my ears years ago, but I was not happy with the results. Last night, I read the information on this site, and I decided to give it another try. I realized that I had not been patient enough. I put the solution in both ears, and I spent up to 45 minutes on the process. I am happy to report that it was sucessful this time. Wax buildup in my right ear was affecting my hearing, and an enormous amount of wax came to the surface today that I was able to remove easily. I took my organic apple cider vinegar with me to work today and sipped on the ACV mixed with water and ice all afternoon. I will report the results after using it for a while. Thanks for the valuable information!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Susan (USA)
We heard about this treatment from an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) MD and have practiced it for years. We love it! We have passed the practice on to friends who have in turn passed it on their friends. However, before you try it, check with your doctor first! Some people experience severe ear or jaw pain after trying this remedy (see below).
NOTE: For safety, don't do this treatment before flying. Make sure there are a few days between the treatment and getting on a plane. Also, do not try this remedy if you have existing ear or jaw pain -- it may make the condition worse! If you have any doubts about trying this remedy, don't try it... Contact your doctor first and get his/her opinion. One more note -- do not do this remedy more than once in each ear. Wait a few days in between before trying it again if you feel it did not dissolve all the wax.
The recipe:
Lay a towel down on your bed or carpet. Then fill a dropper (buy at the pharmacy in the infant section) with drugstore bought 3% hydrogen peroxide (about .79 a bottle at any pharmacy). Lying on your side, fill one ear with hydrogen peroxide. After a few moments you will hear fizzing. Quite normal. After a minute or two, add more peroxide. Wait, relax, enjoy. After another few minutes, add more. The peroxide fizzes away, which is why you must keep adding more. Wait until the fizzing stops -- 10 to 15 minutes -- indicative that the wax has been dissolved. Shake remaining liquid from your ear onto the towel and repeat on the other ear. Since this takes time, you may want to do one ear one day and the other the following day.
If you feel a "slushing" in your ear following this treatment, you probably did not give the peroxide enough time. This will feel quite uncomfortable but don't be alarmed! The peroxide probably dislodged the wax but did not dissolve it. Try again. Trick is to keep the ear filled with liquid. You'll be amazed at how much it fizzes up. We did this on a friend a few years back and a huge piece of ear wax floated up and out of his ear. This same person had to go to an ENT every year or two to have chunks of ear wax removed so you can imagine how grateful he was to have a do-it-at-home treatment that actually worked!
If you use ear plugs, you can also clean them using hydrogen peroxide. Simply put peroxide in a cup and toss in the plugs... they will be back to perfect condition within 20 minutes or so.
Don't believe H202 actually helps to dissolve ear wax? Try this experiment:
Clean your ears with a q-tip. Add a few tablespoons of drugstore H202 to a glass and drop the waxy q-tip inside the glass. Within 10 minutes the q-tip will be white again, absolutely no wax left.
No question about it, H202 dissolves ear wax. Visible proof.
