If you like your sense of hearing, abandon them now.

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So you're addicted to swabs, well, I have news: you're not the only one. It is very common for people to have their ears pricked, animals scratch their ears all day. However, we as humans make a fundamental mistake, and that is to use cotton rods to clean them.

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The inner ear channels are covered by a thin layer of wax that protects the ear canals against dirt, germs, is water repellent and helps keep the ears clean. This layer, called cerumen, also protects the skin from drying out and, consequently, from itching like hell.

According to Ana Kim, director of otology research at Columbia Medical University Medical Center, the most common cause of why people are bothered by ears and stung is by the use of cotton swabs. "If someone uses these objects on a regular basis, they will be removing the wax from their ear canals and leaving them unprotected. This is very likely to happen even if it is done very gently.

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Removing the wax makes someone prone to infections, fungus, bacteria and skin irritation. "When you use a swab, you are actually damaging the skin of your ear canal, making it vulnerable to shampoo, soap, water, etc. Also, we all have bacteria on the skin, and any small wound could end up in an infection.

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And how can I clean my ears? Professionals recommend an ear cleaning with a specialist every 6 months to remove wax plugs and maintain hygiene. And in the case that the ears sting a lot, never use swabs and press hard the tragus.

Another reason why your ears might sting is an allergy, so it is also recommended to visit a specialist.

The point is that you must stop using the swabs, they are harmful and your ears will thank you ... if it is not too late.

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