Anyone have experience with "ear candles"

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

OK, I already alluded to in a previous thread my pure unadulterated joy at flushing people's ears out which I do with some regularity at my new job. (Laugh if you must, but I consider it a little step above enemas and impactions, which I've also had to do a lot of in my time! ;)) Today, I flushed a hunk of crap as big as the first joint of my pinkie finger out of a girl's ear. (Keep getting visions of that annoying wireless phone commercial, "Can you hear me NOW?") She said she had been trying to use ear candles to draw out the wax and wondered if they helped. Whether they work for others or not, I don't know, but her wax was clearly way beyond any therapeutic benefit of a candle. Told her I had no knowledge and she's going to call back next week after I do some research and question the docs.

Gut instinct is that they're probably a crock, and there was a weird film coating the outside of her ear goober that I don't usually see and might be attributable to the ear candles.

Thoughts?

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Huh? What'd ya say?

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Oh no, not a crock, ear candling is for real. Goes back to ancient Egypt. Hollow candle acts like a chimney. Almost as effective a ear lavage. I could envision a situation where a person had such a plug that the candle would not get it. Also, if person tried to do it themselves or did not have tight enough seal would not work. Have had mine done by a person who is really experienced. Taught me lot of tricks most people don't know. Have earcandled a few people myself. The pharmacist charges like $45 a person so people in my family don't want to pay.

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When I saw the title, I thought you were talking about making candles out of ear wax.....ewww! Haven't heard of the other....

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

http://www.wallysnatural.com/d1d.html

My hubby bought some and I told him if he did it I'd be furions. They're still in the box. They were bought from an ad on the back of the farmer's Almanac...I think. Something about flaming cloth stuck into the ear canal rubs me wrong......

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my mother swears by it but I was far too ticklish to try

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It's a good way to set your hair on fire

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They are for real... don't really know if they work, though. I bought a couple and didn't have any luck with them, but my ear canals are so weird and twisted that it usually takes a really good irrigation.

I think they probably work best for someone with a straightforward ear canal who doesn't have severely impacted wax. I have nurse friends that swear by them.

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I have used them, and they are really soothing, but I actually burned my eardrum once when my allergies were bad, and eardrums were severely retracted, I kept using them and finally went to the doc and she got a really peculiar look on her face and said "I can't figure out why your eardrum has a blister on it"...no wonder it hurt so bad! lol...but she totally agreed that the candles do help IF the problem is wax.

My favorite part was cutting off the tip of the candle after using it and seeing all the nasty wax that had been sucked up into the candle! I know, nasty, but still cool...in a twisted sort of way, lol.

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Originally posted by emily_mom

When I saw the title, I thought you were talking about making candles out of ear wax.....ewww! Haven't heard of the other....

ditto!!!:eek:
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Have used them and swear by them BUT never do alone, always have someone watching the fire. I know many nurses that use them. Wish we could use them on some of our residents but somehow don't think the docs would okay the open flames. Yes, I think they are terrific!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm still having a tough time picturing this......you actually light a candle and stick it in your ear?! Or is this just the modern version of snipe hunting??????!!!!!!!

BTW, I just got done clearing out my own ears (FINALLY) after 3 days of peroxide & H20 flushes. If there's an easier way (that doesn't require a trip to the doctor and having him stick a wire in there), I'd like to hear it.......no pun intended.;)

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