Cotton sticks are specially created in order to clean them with the auditory passage. At the same time, on the network you can find a recommendation to avoid this method of cleaning. We decided to check if there are scientific explanations for such advice.

The role of cotton sticks in hygiene ears is written in the media and blogs. For example, in 2021 "News"Released the article" Otolaryngologist spoke about the correct cleaning of his ears with cotton balls ", and the television channel"Star" -" The doctor explained why the ears should not be cleaned with cotton sticks. " Users Set questions specialists, is it possible clean ears in this way to children, and Also Interested alternative ways hygiene.

Cotton sticks appeared In the market in 1923 called Baby Gays. They were invented by the American Leo Gertstensag, seeing his wife daily wrapping small pieces of cotton wool on a toothpick to clean the ears of their little daughter. Its design had cotton wool only at one end, and the packaging was arranged so that the parent could get a stick with one hand, while holding the baby. Its novelty quickly won the market and became popular not only as a subject of hygiene of babies, but also an integral part of almost any bathroom. However, is there a real need to clean the ears and how best to carry out the procedure?

First you need to figure out what the ears are from the point of view of physiology. The ear is complicated organintended for catching sound vibrations. Anatomically ear divided On external, middle and internal. The outer ear consists of a plot of the temporal bone, auricle and auditory passage, which is separated from the structures of the middle ear as a drum eye. From the inside, the auditory passage was lined with leather, the upper layer of which is called an epidermis. The epidermis both in the auditory passage and in other parts of the body is constantly updated throughout life - some cells die, and others are replaced by others. In other areas of the body, the dead cells of the epidermis simply disappear by themselves, deserve about clothes, during washing or when using cosmetic scrubs and peels. Inside the auditory passage, such cells would risk accumulating, but nature Provided An interesting way to get rid of them. For this, the sweat glands in the epidermis have evolutionarily changed into sulfuric. They produce a special substance - ear sulfur consisting of proteins, fats and fatty acids, as well as mineral salts. Sulfur, like a chewing gum, sticks to the walls of the auditory passage, and drops along with the dead epithelium. She also collects sebum and dust falling into the auditory passage. With chewing movements, and also when the jaw moves during speech, the sulfur gradually moves from the depths of the auditory passage closer to the auricle, and then, when the water enters the ear during hygienic procedures, is washed together with it.

Function Ear sulfur is not only cleaning the auditory passage, but also its moisture, as well as protection, since the level of acidity of sulfur counteracts the development of bacterial and fungal flora. Normally a month of gland Produce From 12 to 20 mg of sulfur, all of it naturally removes from the ear. Fund for the head and neck of the American Academy of Otolaryngology advises Do not clean the auditory passage in general, but literally “leave alone” to the sulfur if there is no congestion of the ears and the feeling of hearing loss. Harvard Medical School adheres to The same opinion: the auditory passage is cleaned by itself, and it is enough to remove the sulfur that has already left it and is on the auricle. Doctors from the clinic give the same recommendations Cleveland And clinics Mayo, authoritative non -profit medical scientific centers in the United States. They agree with their position and Russian doctors, for example employees departments of otolaryngology and microsurgery of the Russian State City Council No. 52. They also explain why the ears are so popular: “The human ears from the inside are covered with a large number of nerve endings, after exposure to cotton sticks, they are annoyed even more, forcing them to take a stick again and“ make it nice ”again. Another important factor is social: many people think that ear sulfur is only dirt, and the ears must certainly be cleaned daily as deeply as possible and thoroughly as possible. Meanwhile, sulfur is the same protection for the ear as tears for the eyes. ”

In addition to the fact that the ears have an excellent ability to self -clean, and therefore, it is not necessary to clean them, such a “hygiene” can even harm. Firstly, cotton sticks contribute compression of sulfur and promote it deep into the auditory passage, which can bring To the formation of sulfur plugs. Secondly, this method of cleaning can be traumatic, especially for children and adolescents. American pediatricians Countedthat for the period from 1990 to 2010 263 338 children under 18 years of age turned to emergency departments with various ear injuries due to the use of cotton sticks. A quarter of them doctors diagnosed the rupture of the eardrum.

However, some of the additional hygiene of the ears is still shown-first of all, these are people with a too narrow auditory passage. However conduct A deeper cleaning of the ears is needed only after consulting with an ENT doctor who will select a suitable method (for example, perhaps, perhaps, Offer Rinse the auditory passage with hydrogen peroxide) and will explain how to do it correctly.

Thus, the ears of a person are well cleaned independently: sulfur collects the dead cells of the epidermis, skin lard and dust, and then during the movements of the jaws moves to the exit from the auditory passage. From there it is safe to remove it with a towel after washing the head. Doctors consider no other ways to clean the ears either necessary or safe. Cleaning the auditory passage with cotton wools is not only not needed, but can also cause injuries.

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