Cotton buds are frequently used to clean ears and to relief itch. Unfortunately they are the commonest causes of problems encountered in the ear.
The external ear canal is a blind ending tube and ends at the eardrum. The canal is linked by a layer of thin skin which is extremely sensitive. Wax is produced by gland located in the outer half of the tube.
When a foreign material is introduced into the ear canal, it can scratch the sensitive skin. This may initially relieve an itch but if used longer, the scratch becomes deeper and begins to be itchy, this encouraging the user to continue doing it. If the scratch turns into an abrasion, a superficial ulcer is created which can be irritating and painful. Further irritation with a foreign body can cause infection and discharge.
In addition, if wax is present, and the foreign body is big enough, the wax is pushed further into the ear canal. Once time, the wax is impacted into a solid mass, stuck in the inner end of the ear canal against the eardrum. Hearing is obstructed and sometimes, a condition called tinnitus develops, in which sounds can be heard by the patient.
A cotton bud is a common culprit. It fits snugly into the ear canal and pushes the wax inside and compacts it. The cotton fibres in the lend are ideal for scratching small sensitive areas. When a superficial abrasion is present, the bud causes an inflammatory reaction which is wet, and foul smelling and painful. The cotton bud can cause damage to the eardrum by a gradual thinning of the paper-thin eardrum. A perforation of the eardrum is. A perforation can also be treated when the elbow of the user is accidentally hit by another person, usually a child.
The cotton bud is frequently used to relieve irritation during the recovery stage of an ear operation. Besides undoing the purpose of the operation, infection can be introduced.
An infected ear canal is itchy, wet and sometimes very painful.
So remember, nothing smaller than the elbow should be put inside the ear!!!