A ruptured eardrum could result from inserting a cotton swab in the ear, state researchers in a new study. It also showed that in most cases the rupture heals on its own and surgery is only ...

One area that may be a little trickier? Your ears. As ear wax accumulates, it may be tempting to stick a cotton swab in your canal to clear it out. But that can be dangerous and damage your ear canal.

The cotton swab, better known as the Q-tip ... but that doesn't mean they're safe for your ears. Those with diabetes or who rely on blood thinners should be especially cautious about cleaning ...

Sometimes, the cotton tip of the swab can also come off in the ear ... in your ear or if there is liquid drainage or blood coming out of the ear (a sign of infection), you may need to see your ...

Use over-the-counter oil-based or water-based ear drops to soften the buildup. If symptoms persist, don’t try to deep clean it yourself; consult your doctor to have it professionally cleaned. The ...

This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. Mental Floss may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. As the old saying goes, “You shouldn’t ...

Tonsil stones give off an unpleasant smell due to the sulfur compounds emitted by the bacteria living on them, explains ...

Ears are sensory organs that aren’t considered ... the ear Some people commit the mistake of probing the ear with a cotton swab or anything else. This shouldn’t be done especially if you ...

But in the process, it is important to abstain from using cotton swabs, which can introduce germs and other infection-causing organisms to the ear. At the same time, it can push the ear wax ...

Cotton swabs are dangerous for your ears in a different way ... You could get a skin infection or you could catch blood borne diseases like hepatitis or HIV from contaminated equipment.

A mouse is guided by its memory to search for an odour that was once present on the cotton swab. Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to ...

To make sure, your doctor may want to conduct a skin allergy test, do a skin biopsy to pinpoint the type of dermatitis, or order blood tests ... t clean your ears with cotton swabs.