ear candles

[mark s]

Doc, whats your opinion of ear candles made for ear wax removal? I tried it recently and couldnt tell if it was working or not. Is there any danger?

 

[scubadoc]

Sorry - Mark, this subject was not in my medical school curriculum. However, here is a web page that I've found that might be helpful. http://www.colonhealth.net/ear_candling/candle.htm

This is an addendum with an abstract of an article in 'Laryngoscope', a reputable ENT journal:

"Laryngoscope 1996 Oct;106(10):1226-9
Ear candles--efficacy and safety.
Seely DR, Quigley SM, Langman AW
Spokane Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic, WA 99204, USA.

Ear candles are a popular and inexpensive alternative health treatment advocated for cerumen removal. A hollow candle is burned with one end in the ear canal with the intent of creating negative pressure and drawing cerumen from the ear.
If effective, significant savings could result from the use of ear candles. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of this alternative method for cerumen management. Tympanometric measurements in an ear canal model demonstrated that ear candles do not produce negative pressure. A limited clinical trial (eight ears) showed no removal of cerumen from the external auditory canal. Candle wax was actually deposited in some. A survey of 122
otolaryngologists identified 21 ear injuries resulting from ear candle use. Ear candles have no benefit in the management of cerumen and may result in serious injury."

[Edited by scubadoc on 12-13-2000 at 05:49 AM]

 

[BillP]

Hi mark:

Here's another webpage that you might find interesting:

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candling.html

HTH,

Bill

[Edited by BillP on 12-13-2000 at 12:55 AM]