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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not give up using cotton ear buds?

132 replies

cowsoy · 05/02/2019 07:57

I keep hearing about how cotton buds are really bad for your ears and you shouldn't use them.

I tried to stop the other week and had to give up after a few days when I put some headphones in and the headphones had wax on when I took them out of my ear...

It then took me about 10 cotton buds to get my ears clean again.

Apparently you're just meant to let the wax naturally make its way out of your ears and drip/be pushed out... but I feel like if people look at me from a certain angle they will just see my wax-filled ear canal [sick] and I felt really dirty...

Apparently doctors say you should just wipe the outside of your ear with a flannel but I don't think its enough, people can still see the wax...

OP posts:
Seline · 05/02/2019 08:00

I use them because I can't stand the sensation of itchy ears.

Imsosorryalan1 · 05/02/2019 08:00

Having wax in your ears doesn't make you dirty

Shaboohshoobah1 · 05/02/2019 08:02

I use them too for the same reason!! I judge people with waxy ears

OhDearHowSadNeverMind · 05/02/2019 08:02

I have never ever seen wax in anyone's ear. Ever.

You're being slightly over the top about this.

TeddyIsaHe · 05/02/2019 08:03

They’re also insanely bad for the planet, and kill thousands of marine life every day.

Keep using them, but use eco friendly ones instead.

Guineapiglet345 · 05/02/2019 08:05

I was thinking about this the other day, they say on the pack not to put them in your ears but what do they think people are doing with them? I’ve literally been sticking them in my ears for 30 odd years and I’ve never had any problems (and I don’t buy the plastic ones)

Bestseller · 05/02/2019 08:05

You haven't looked Ohdear, but my DS2 's get disgusting very quickly if I don't remind him, although you can see just wash the bits you can see with a flannel or in the shower to keep on top of it.

Clearly they're not sold as "ear buds" as it says on the pack not to put them in your ears but I'm not sure what they are for, if not ears?

NotANotMan · 05/02/2019 08:06

I've managed to avoid injuring my ear so far and waxy ears are disgusting so YANBU but I do think about the environmental impact so will buy eco ones next time

NotANotMan · 05/02/2019 08:06

In fact I've bought cardboard not plastic ones so they are ok I assume?

Desmondo2016 · 05/02/2019 08:07

Biggest treat of my morning- the post shower 2 minutes de-itch of the ear canal.

I won't be giving it up.

Original poster
cowsoy · 05/02/2019 08:08

I do quite often notice wax in people's ears (partly because I pay extra attention I'm sort of paranoid people will see mine) and I know it's natural but it's not the most appetising thing to see.

OP posts:
FamilyOfAliens · 05/02/2019 08:09

Surely using cotton buds for ear wax just pushes it further in?

FamilyOfAliens · 05/02/2019 08:13

“Appetising”?

Yura · 05/02/2019 08:13

if you are concerned about the environmental impact, there are some available with a cardboard tube instead of the plastic.

Yura · 05/02/2019 08:13

if you are concerned about the environmental impact, there are some available with a cardboard tube instead of the plastic.

Biggerknickersagain · 05/02/2019 08:14

My ears itch like hell if I don't clean them regularly, I use a spray as well to help, I can't stand the constant itch I get. Use eco friendly ones though.

Original poster
cowsoy · 05/02/2019 08:17

I'm also not convinced when people say it pushes wax further into your ears—I'm not sticking them in and packing the wax down, I sort of just use the bud to wipe the sides of the canal.

I also think after 30 years of supposedly pushing wax deeper in, I would be deaf by now.

OP posts:
Maryjoyce · 05/02/2019 08:22

All doctors will tell you that as much as you take out with them you push the same amount back inside which is why they are the most common cause of blocked ears and earache and infections

scaredofthecity · 05/02/2019 08:22

I got a serious ear infection from using them, ended up in hospital on iv antibiotics.

The dr said I made a small tear which then got infected. Blush

I do still use them, but very carefully. I hate the feeling of soggy ears after a shower. But I think I have weird ears! My canals slope downwards and I have to wear earplugs for swimming etc.

TheMammothHunters · 05/02/2019 08:24

I used to use them and gave myself a really bad ear infection. I swore not to use since and have managed to stick to it- so tempting though.

Maryjoyce · 05/02/2019 08:25

And yes you can say it hasn’t happened to you yet but you can also say you have crossed the road so far all your life safely.
However the day you have issues maybe is the day you wake up as like Lots of people they think they know better till the day it goes wrong.

LellowYedbetter · 05/02/2019 08:27

I love my cotton buds, couldn’t be without them

chatwoo · 05/02/2019 08:29

I impacted the wax in my ear by overusing the 'ear sticks' - had to go on several trips to the nurse to get my ears syringed (wouldn't come out the first 1-2 times!). I also had an ear infection over Xmas but the GP wasn't very clear about how that came about (it's not like I swim or had a cold).

I've since been told that one of my ear canals has a bend/kink in it, so isn't completely straight - which would have been really helpful to know the first time around!

Anyway in short, I still use the dreaded ear sticks, but not every day, and in more of a swirling motion Grin

Idonotsetanalarmformyteen · 05/02/2019 08:31

They’re also insanely bad for the planet, and kill thousands of marine life every day

Only if you put them down the loo. If you put them in the bin (and in my area they are incinerated to generate electricity) they are perfectly fine. Anyway I don't think you can get them with plastic tubes now.

I'm with you OP, I use them most days. I hate the sensation of itchy ears too.