Ear Candles

[Cabanasprings]

Gonna try it tonight. Is there anything I should know?

Thanks
CS

[Mozy bonz]

Ear candling keeps coming up again and again, as an "alternative" method of cleaning your ears. So we decided to see if it really works.

You're supposed to put a foot-long hollow fabric cone impregnated with bee's wax in your ear, and have someone light it. Supposedly the candle creates a vacuum that sucks excess earwax and impurities out of your ear.

To see if it really does remove anything from the ear, we burned another candle in a glass jar.

When both candles were cut open, both had equal amounts of "wax and impurities" inside - even though one was burned in a jar, and not in an ear! Obviously, the only thing collected is the melted wax from the candle itself, and not anything from your ear. Ear candling is not entirely safe, either, you run the risk of burns or injuries to your eardrum while doing it. Not to mention that earwax is there for a reason - to protect against dust and irritants - and it seldom causes any problems.



http://www.healthcentral.com/drdean/408/81105.html

[Kinetic IV]

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRel ... dling.html

[skygod]

How peculiar.
Make sure you hold it horizontally so the hot wax doesnt drip inside, but only outside your ear.
I would take the same precaution if I were to hold a Roman Candle or highway flare in my ear.

[Cabanasprings]

I've read some bad things about it but a good friend says it's the best thing ever. I was wondering if anyone else knew first hand?

Thanks Moz and K - that's what I was thinking. I will have to think more on it.

[diane o'thirst]

Out on the Playa, I like to swab my ear canals with Badger Balm to protect them.

If you want to clear your sinuses, as that Quackwatch site suggested, you can simply hum for five seconds or so. I told an asthmatic friend about that and it works for him.

I'd be concerned about ear candling because of my long hair.

[Ron]

...
When both candles were cut open, both had equal amounts of "wax and impurities" inside - even though one was burned in a jar, and not in an ear! ...

I can confirm these results. My wife swore by her ear candles, and I maintained they couldn't be drawing anything out of her ear. We did the experiment, got those same results, and she doesn't use them anymore.

Ron

[theCryptofishist]

I hate to admit it, but I occasionally use q-tips and hydrogen peroxide and clean out the wax in my ear. But only when it's really itchy and I'll just tear them apart anyway. It's not fancy, but it seems to work.

[Lassen Forge]

I would take the same precaution if I were to hold a Roman Candle or highway flare in my ear.

Roman Candling?? Kewl - We could open a booth somewhere. Also give Physic (NOT Psychic) readings at the same time - that would burn the shit out of you.

And highway flares? Another wonderful idea. THink we'll incorporate it somehow. You know, the molten, burning sulfur and phosphorus combo does wonders for the skin.

Keep 'em coming... we appreciate these wonderful ideas for our doom dome this year!!

Making your doom more dangerous in '06...
bb

[phil]

http://blog.tenderbutton.com/?p=187

[unjonharley]

Grandmother told me: I could not put any thing in my ears except my elbow.

A little hydrocortisone cream in the outer ear channel will help the ithies. Warm olive oil for an ear ack. One eye dropper full for the ear. This can be arm pit warmrd if your in the feild.

[geekster]

Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and alcohol. Irrigate the ear canal every evening (after shower if bathing in the evening). You won't have problems with wax buildup or swimmer's ear.

[DoctorIknow]

I've had a serious ear wax problem since a kid.
My parents "old world" fix for this was to put 2" cotton closeline in my ears, light the "wick" and the earwax would be absorbed into the rope and burned.

Unfortunately for me, they thought the candle "ambiance" and sweet smell could create a romantic mood by having me sit crosslegged on the floor in the bedroom, ears lit, while they romanced.

Even the thought of these so called old world/new age ear candles had me calling my sponsor.

[robotland]

Although the ear-candles WOULD make you more visible on the playa at night, having them stuck in your ears would make it harder to hear bicycling darkwads approaching.

[Cabanasprings]

Thanks all for the word up. We didn't do it. Anybody need $20.00 worth of ear candles?

Will consider using them as bike lights at Bm.

[Lassen Forge]

Thanks all for the word up. We didn't do it. Anybody need $20.00 worth of ear candles?

Will consider using them as bike lights at Bm.

You can always use them for torches for an invasion party. >grins<

bb

[blyslv]

I had it done once and it felt great. On the other hand, a guy I used to climb with had been an ER doctor and he loved to tell the story about the time he had to dig on of those out of somebody's ear.

YMMV