# What should I do if I have a buildup of earwax?

Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup
Language: en
Category: ent
Publisher: ClinicsJo
Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:52.427Z
Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:52.427Z
Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup

If you feel you have a buildup of earwax, you can try to remove it yourself at home using olive oil or almond oil drops. Lie on your side with the affected ear facing upwards, place 2 to 3 drops of the oil, and continue lying down for 5 to 10 minutes [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). Repeat this procedure 3 to 4 times daily for 3 to 5 days. It is expected that lumps of wax will fall out of your ear and symptoms will improve within about two weeks [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>).

## When should you consult a pharmacist or doctor?

If your symptoms of earwax buildup do not improve after 5 days of using oil drops, or if your ear is severely blocked and you cannot hear, it is advisable to see a nurse at your GP practice [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). A pharmacist can also provide advice and suggest medical ear drops designed to dissolve earwax, which should work to remove or dissolve the wax within about a week [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). It is very important not to use ear drops if you have a perforated eardrum [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>).

## Earwax removal procedures in the clinic

Not all GP practices perform earwax removal. However, some clinics may offer treatments such as water irrigation (electronic ear irrigation), wax suction (microsuction), or scraping the wax using a very small instrument [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). These treatments are usually painless. If your clinic does not offer these services, the doctor may refer you to another local NHS service or you may need to pay for treatment privately [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>).

## Practices to avoid

You must not use your fingers or any objects such as cotton buds to remove earwax, as this will push it inside and make the problem worse [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). There is no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of earwax [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). Attempting to clean the ear canal with tools like cotton buds or hairpins can push the wax deeper and cause a blockage or ear infection [\[5\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S5>).

## Preventing earwax buildup

You cannot prevent earwax from forming because it exists to protect your ears from dirt and germs [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). However, using ear drops, olive oil, or almond oil regularly can help soften accumulated earwax, making it easier for it to come out automatically and preventing the ears from becoming blocked [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>). For more information about ear disorders in general, you can visit our article [Ear Disorders: From Wax Buildup to Chronic Vertigo (Arabic)](<https://clinicsjo.com/ar/articles/ear-disorders-wax-to-chronic-vertigo>).

Avoid almond oil if you have an allergy to it [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#source-S4>).

## Medical references

- [Earwax build-up - NHS](<https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/earwax-build-up/>)

- [Information on ear wax | CUH](<https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/information-on-ear-wax/>)

General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment.

Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-earwax-buildup#answer