News

A mother gently caring for the outer ear of her smiling young daughter in a bright bathroom
How to Clean Baby and Child Ears Safely: A Parent's Guide
Babies and children need very little ear cleaning. Here is what to do (and not do), how adult supervision fits in for older children, and which signs mean it is... Read more...
A clear sticky ear cleaner stick being rinsed under a running tap
How to Clean and Reuse a Sticky Ear Cleaner
A reusable ear cleaner only stays useful if you look after it. Rinse, dry, store: here is the short routine, how to keep the tip tacky and when to swap... Read more...
Woman smiling as she looks at the tip of a clear sticky ear cleaner stick with a small amount of wax on it
Do Ear Candles Work? What the Evidence Says
Ear candling is popular but unproven. Here is what it claims, what the evidence shows, the risks of putting a burning cone near your ear, and safer ways to deal... Read more...
Close-up of an ear with a clear stick lifting a small amount of amber earwax from the outer ear
Earwax Colours: What Yellow, Brown, Black and Green Wax Can Mean
Yellow, brown, black, flaky, sticky: earwax comes in more varieties than most people expect. Here is what is normal, what is down to genetics and when colour is a clue... Read more...
Older man with a white beard smiling in a bathroom mirror while touching his ear
Microsuction vs Ear Syringing vs Irrigation in the UK
What the three professional wax removal methods actually are, why "syringing" is mostly a thing of the past, whether the NHS still offers them, and what to check before you... Read more...
Close-up of an ear with a soft silicone ear cleaner at the outer opening of the ear
Earbuds, AirPods and Ear Wax: Do They Cause Build-Up?
Earbuds do not make wax, but they can get in the way of it leaving your ears. Here is what that means for daily wearers, and a practical routine to... Read more...
Woman in a white robe holding a clear ear cleaner stick at the outer edge of her ear in a bright bathroom
Itchy Ears: Common Causes and What Actually Helps
Itchy or dry ears are common and usually harmless. Here are the usual causes, gentle things that help, what makes it worse, and the signs that need a GP. Read more...
Smiling older man looking in a bathroom mirror while touching the outer edge of his ear
How Often Should You Clean Your Ears? Less Than You Think
The honest answer is that healthy ears mostly clean themselves. Here is a simple, gentle routine for the outside, and how to spot when you are overdoing it. Read more...
Smiling woman in a white robe holding a box of sticky ear cleaners in a bright bathroom with a glass shower behind her
Water Stuck in Your Ear? What to Do and When to See a GP
Water in the ear usually drains by itself. Here is what to try, what to avoid, and how to spot the signs of an outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) that... Read more...
Hand holding a clear sticky ear cleaner stick above a white bathroom shelf
Ear Wax Removal Methods Compared: What Works and What to Avoid
A fair, side-by-side look at every common way to deal with ear wax, from a damp flannel to microsuction, and which problem each one is actually meant to solve. Read more...
Close-up of a man's ear with a clear ear cleaning stick held at the outer ear
Blocked Ear? How to Tell If It's Earwax and What to Do
A blocked ear is often wax, but not always. Here is how to tell the common causes apart, what is safe to try, and which signs mean it is time... Read more...
Three-step illustration showing twist, lift and rinse with a sticky ear cleaner
How to Use a Sticky Ear Cleaner, Step by Step
Twist, lift, rinse. A short, careful routine for using a sticky ear cleaner on visible outer-ear wax, plus the mistakes to avoid and when not to use it at all. Read more...
Close-up of a woman's ear with a soft silicone ear cleaner held at the outer ear opening
How to Remove Ear Wax at Home, Safely
Most ear wax never needs removing. Here is what is safe to do at home for visible wax and for that blocked feeling, and what to leave to a professional. Read more...
A box of sticky ear cleaners on a bright bathroom counter beside a plant, folded towels and a soap dispenser
Sticky Ear Cleaners: What They Are and Do They Work?
A sticky ear cleaner is a reusable silicone tool that lifts wax you can see at the outer ear. Here is how it works, what it is good for, and... Read more...
Hands holding a clear sticky ear cleaner stick and a cotton bud side by side above a box of ear cleaners in a bathroom
Are Cotton Buds Bad for Your Ears? What to Use Instead
Almost everyone grew up with cotton buds in the bathroom cabinet. Here is why health advice says to keep them out of the ear canal, and what to reach for... Read more...
Hand holding a clear sticky ear cleaner stick over a bright bathroom basin
Why Do We Have Earwax? What It Does and When to Leave It Alone
Earwax is not dirt. It is a working part of your ear's defences. Here is what it is made of, what it does and why the best plan is often... Read more...