Hong had a habit of visiting hair salons two to three times a week for hair washes. During these visits, her ears were cleaned with feathers, a practice she found relaxing.

Doctor Pham Vu Hong Hanh, from the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at Tam Anh General Clinic, Cau Giay, diagnosed Hong with otitis externa. Her outer and inner ear areas were swollen, red, and exhibited pus.

The doctor cleaned the inflamed ear canal and applied topical medication. Since Hong sought medical attention early, her condition was not severe and only required home treatment with ear drops. The doctor also advised her to keep her ears dry and prevent water from entering them during treatment.

According to Doctor Hanh, the outer ear canal has delicate skin that is easily damaged. Introducing foreign objects like feathered ear picks, cotton swabs, or unsterilized tools can cause scratches, creating an environment for bacteria and fungi to enter and develop, leading to otitis externa.

"Cleaning ears with soft feathers may seem gentle, but it can still cause microscopic damage to the ear canal skin, which can lead to inflammation," Doctor Hanh explained. She added that water entering the ear and not being properly dried also increases the risk of infection.

A doctor performs an otoscopy on a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctors advise adults against self-cleaning their ears with unfamiliar tools or using unsanitary earwax removal services. When washing hair or swimming, individuals should wear earplugs to prevent water from entering their ears.

Regular earwax removal or frequent ear cleaning is not recommended. Earwax (cerumen) is a mixture of secretions from sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and shed skin cells. It acts as a protective layer for the ear canal. Its slightly acidic pH also inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi. When earwax is removed too frequently, this protective layer is lost, and the pH shifts towards being more alkaline, creating favorable conditions for bacteria and fungi to thrive.

If symptoms such as ear pain, tinnitus, itching, or discharge appear, seeking early medical attention for proper and timely treatment is crucial to prevent complications. Do not attempt folk remedies or unprofessional services like ear irrigation with soap or ear candling, as these carry inherent risks.

Thuy Hanh