What will dissolve ear wax?
On One Hand: Use Heat or Carbamide OxideDr. David Marty–author of “The Ear Book”–says lying on a hot water bottle filled with warm water will melt earwax and make it easy to drain. Over-the-counter earwax removers containing carbamide oxide will also get the job done, according to Dr. W. Steven Pray.On the Other: Let a Doctor Do ItGuidelines for otolaryngologists put forth by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center state that, while there are many effective earwax-dissolving agents, there’s no evidence that one is superior to any others. Ear, nose and throat specialists can safely perform alternative procedures, such as irrigation or manual removal.Bottom LineAccording to Dr. Peter Roland of the UT Southwestern Medical Center, earwax protects the ear, and people shouldn’t clean it out themselves at home, regardless of the method.
