Book 14, Question 136
Why Shouldn't You Poke Anything Into Your Ears?
You should not poke anything into your ears because the eardrum inside is thin and delicate! Cotton swabs, pencils, and fingers can scratch the ear canal. Your ears clean themselves, so they do not need poking.
More fun facts
- Anything put into the ear canal, like cotton buds, can pack earwax tighter.
- It can push the wax back toward the eardrum.
- Cotton swab injuries send more people to the hospital each year than razor blade wounds, according to one report.
- Doctors say there is no need to clean inside your ears with a cotton bud.
- You should always be careful about putting anything in your ear canals.
Sources: BBC, Smithsonian Magazine
Questions kids ask
Do I need to clean inside my ears with a cotton bud?
No. Doctors say there is no need, and cotton buds can push earwax back toward the eardrum.