What should I do if my ears are dirty? 10 days of hot topics on the Internet and scientific cleaning guide
Recently, the topic of ear health has become more popular on social media and health forums, especially the search volume of keywords such as "ear cleaning misunderstandings" and "the role of earwax" have surged. The following is a compilation of ear health-related content that has been hotly discussed on the Internet in the past 10 days, combined with medical advice to provide you with scientific solutions.
1. Data statistics on hot topics about ear health in the past 10 days

| Ranking | Topic keywords | Search volume (10,000) | Main discussion platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How to relieve itchy ears | 28.5 | Weibo/Douyin |
| 2 | The dangers of picking out ears with cotton swabs | 19.3 | Xiaohongshu/Station B |
| 3 | Healthy comparison of earwax color | 15.7 | Baidu knows/Zhihu |
| 4 | Hygiene hazards in Caier stores | 12.4 | Headlines/Kuaishou |
| 5 | How to clean children’s ears | 9.8 | Mom Network/Baby Tree |
2. Why do ears become “dirty”?
1.normal physiological phenomena: Earwax (cerumen) is the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the external auditory canal. It has antibacterial, moisturizing and dustproof effects and will naturally fall off after drying.
2.Improper cleaning habits: Frequent use of cotton swabs may push earwax deeper into the ear, forming an embolism. Data shows that 67% of ear canal blockage cases are related to incorrect cleaning.
3.environmental factors: The ear canal secretions of people in areas with severe air pollution are more likely to be mixed with dust. The recent dust weather in the north has led to a 42% increase in related consultations.
3. 5 steps to scientifically clean your ears
| steps | How to operate | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rinse with warm water | The water temperature is about 37℃, use a special ear canal irrigator |
| 2 | Soften earwax | Use 3% sodium bicarbonate ear drops 3 times a day |
| 3 | natural drying | Tilt your head to let the water drain out. Do not use cotton swabs to absorb water. |
| 4 | External ear cleaning | Wipe the auricle and ear canal opening with a wet towel |
| 5 | Regular inspection | Professional otolaryngology examination once a year |
4. These situations require immediate medical attention
1.sudden hearing loss: May indicate cerumen embolism or otitis media
2.Persistent tinnitus with pain: Be vigilant if there is no relief for more than 24 hours
3.Abnormal discharge: Purulent, bloody or odorous liquid
4.Children crying and scratching their ears: Ear canal problems in infants and young children often manifest themselves as behavioral abnormalities
5. Evaluation of popular ear care products on the Internet
| product type | Positive rating | Main functions | Risk warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual ear scoop | 89% | Avoid blind operations | Still requires professional use |
| ear canal irrigator | 93% | gentle cleansing | Not suitable for patients with perforated eardrum |
| antibacterial ear drops | 76% | relieve itching | May cause allergies |
Expert advice:The key to keeping your ears clean is "moderate". Excessive cleaning will damage the ear canal microenvironment. If you feel unwell, you should go to the otolaryngology department of a regular hospital in time to avoid trusting online folk remedies. Remember, healthy ears should have a small amount of light yellow translucent discharge. Completely "clean" ears may present health risks.
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