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What Causes Ear Pain After Wax Removal?

Posted on Wed, 18 May 2016

Question: Good morning

Since about 3 months ago
I went to ENT Doctor as i was suffering from ear pain specially at night .when he finished his investigations he told me that i have a lot of ear wax inside & i will be better if i removed it .
I told him OK remove it then he get something like Curette & began to remove it .
When i returned home i felt that he scratched but i am not sure as i can't see inside my ear .
My question is :
Can he scratch me with the Curette or this pain or wound if it is exist is due to his pulling to the wax to get removed ?
I ask this as i don't think it was steralized .

Also i saw in the internet that the tool that ENT dr use to remove ear wax are not edget but it is curved & smooth that could not cut the skin .

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, while removing the wax there can be trauma to the skin.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query.

Yes, it is not uncommon to have pain after wax removal. The reason being, the soft and supple external auditory canal skin gets easily traumatized while ear cleaning. Even though doctors use a blunt, smooth and curved probe, there can be minimal trauma to canal skin while manipulating.

Do not worry! After consulting your doctor, you can try using steroid containing antibiotic ear drops to reduce the inflammation and pain. Meanwhile, you can take anti-inflammatory medicines available over the counter. Avoid water into the affected ear.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Revert back to me if you have follow up queries.

Regards

Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (14 minutes later)

My only concern is what if it was not steralized . Is it supposed to cut the skin . I mean is easy that this tool cut the skin & can transmettre any disease or viruses from the previous patient . Or it is smooth enough that it can't make a cut ?
Thanks

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Doctors usually use sterile equipments...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

Usually, the instruments used by the doctor will be sterile. Even though, the probe is smooth there can be possibilities of the soft skin getting damaged while manipulation.

This is because, the impacted cerumen exerts pressure over the canal skin causing congestion of the skin surrounding the former. Seldom, the congested skin can get traumatized while removing the wax.

Do not worry! The chances of disease transmission is almost negligible.

Hope this clears your doubts.

Regards

Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (16 minutes later)

I am not sure if it is sterlized as it was not covered but anyway my last question is :
You mean that the damage may happen from pulling out the hard wax or from the tool (curette) that can cause cut in the skin .?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Impacted cerumen or the instrument could have traumatized...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome back

Nowadays, all the hospitals do follow stringent measures in maintaing the sterility of the instruments.

Yes, you are right. Either the impacted wax or the instrument could have traumatized the skin of the canal.

As I advised in my earlier post, you can try using ear drops containing steroid and antibiotic.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak