You've probably used cotton swabs to clean your ears. Here's why ENTs say you shouldn't. (Getty Images) "Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear." It's the kind of thing you may have ...

Cotton swabs may feel the most satisfying, but there are safer and more effective alternatives. Credit...Eric Helgas for The New York Times Supported by By Caroline Hopkins Q: I know I’m not supposed ...

It says right there on the packaging: “Do not insert swab into ear canal.” Speak with an ear-nose-and-throat doctor, and you’ll hear the same thing. “We always say, ‘Never put anything smaller than ...

Ear wax, medically known as cerumen, serves as your body’s natural cleaning and protection system for the ears. While some odor is normal, understanding when that smell signals a problem can help ...

There are different ideas about how to clean your ears. Doctors generally agree that putting anything inside your ear is a bad idea. Your ears usually do a good job cleaning themselves and don’t need ...

You step out of the shower and, even though you know you shouldn't, you reach for a Q-tip to clean your ears. Except when you ...