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Cotton Swabs

Swabs were invented in the 1920s for the purpose of ear-cleaning. Due to relatively low public awareness, the practice has persisted even after doctors and manufacturers alike have pointed out how dangerous they are. The warning label on Q-Tip boxes reads "CAUTION: Do not enter ear canal. … Entering the ear canal could cause injury." Curious children often try to use them, which is particularly dangerous as their ears are delicate. According to a 2017 study, more than 260,000 children (under the age of 18) were treated for cotton swab-related ear injuries from 1990 to 2010. What can potentially go wrong when using swabs for cleaning ears? Swabs are inserted into the ears in order to "clean" the cavity. But this can actually have the opposite effect and end up pushing ear wax deeper into the ear canal. As a response, people are more likely to insert the swab deeper as well. "Anything that fits in the ear could cause serious harm to the eardrum and canal with the potential for temporary or even permanent damage," said Dr. Seth Schwartz, one of the otolaryngologists who drafted guidelines for diagnosing and treating earwax for the American Academy of Otolaryngology in 2017. Swabs can also tear or rupture the eardrum, leading to pain or bleeding at the least. The worst case scenario is considered to be a permanent hearing loss. This rupture, known as a perforated eardrum, may heal on its own or require surgery depending on the severity.

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