smells funny.

and tastes terrible. so i hear, of course.

Why is it that no one can admit they've tasted ear wax? It just happens. You itch your ear, later your finger goes in your mouth, and bam! you've tasted ear wax. It's happened to me at least 20 times in my life (never intentionally), so I know it's happened to everyone at least once.

i can honestly say i've never tasted ear wax. i q-tip religiously, so if my finger does ever wander to my ear it gets pulled away waxless.

My doctor told me not to Q-tip.

Ear wax is functional as long it doesn't solidify and block the ear canal. I think a thin coat helps refine soundwaves or something like that. Ear wax on the outer ear serves no purpose, however, and can be cleaned. In fact, societal norms say we should clean them.

And yes, Keith, I have tasted ear wax several times in my life (but not very recently that I can remember).

i've never tasted ear wax either. what does it taste like? if it's anything like snot i might be on board.

ear wax was the secret ingredient on iron chef last week.

i'm pretty sure i q-tip the unhealthy way. i can't help it. its just so satisfying.

hilarious

It's potently bitter.
I've always heard that swabbing your ears is dangerous, but mine feel gross if I don't.

I like to jab the Q-tips in deep down. I assume it causes no more or no less damage than not wearing earplugs at shows.

A couple months ago, I got some weird ear infection in both ears in which they drained constantly and the ear wax formed a righteous scab on the edge of my ear hole (I have no other way to put that). It sucked.

All that to say that ear drainage is one of the nastier drainages.

Nasty drainage would be the stuff you catch on shore leave in Bangkok....

I must say I find this to be a very inspired topic.


Also the song Africa by Toto is good.

Have you been to Bangkok before?

When I was in 'Nam...

I honestly can't tell when anyone on here is joking anymore...

So you're the infamous 'Nam Toddler I read about in history?

Jawesome.

Ok, I'm old.. .but not 'Nam old... geez.

Yes, I was told not to clean them using a Q-tip. It leaves more than it takes. Don't ask what I use. I do clean them as I probably have an above-average amount of ear wax in my outer ear (hence, I've talked to a doctor about it).

My doc said the same. He said Q-tips are kinda like ram-rods for riffles. You're capable of pushing something in there real deep, but it may take alot of fire power to project it back outwards. I've had my ears cleaned a couple of times at the doctors office, and it's almost like heaven. After it's all over with, I can hear things I never remembered hearing. Like High Frequencies.

I get it now. That makes a lot of sense.

Hooray for ear enemas!!

Has anyone ever used an ear candle? I hear they work pretty well.

Sounds like it burns.

Ear candles are great. Just a tube of waxed paper that you set on fire and put in your ear. I guess the fire burns up the oxygen inside the candle, creating a vacuum that pulls all the wax out. Works wonders.

the thought of using an ear candle completely sends shivers down my spine. yuck.

iwantelvis has a funny story involving ear candles, her sister, and the emergency room.

I've seen reports saying that ear candles really don't work. Never tried one. The Peace Polliwog seems to have an excessive amount of ear wax... the doctor cleans them with what amounts to a paper clip with a tiny brush on it. My brother used to have a problems with the ear wax, as well... the doctor had my mom use a water pick with hot water to work the wax loose. I can still remember getting grossed out as a pencil eraser sized hunks of wax would be eliminated.

Of course, when I was in 'Nam we'd just use bamboo to dig the shit out.

Better that way than the way that the Viet Cong would dig it out...

Good old Charlie and his sneaky tricks....

co signed.

bausch & lomb makes an earwax removal kit. it's a carbaminde peroxide solution that comes with a bulb syringe. it was recommended by my daughters' pediatrician. if ear infections were the lottery, my youngest has won the powerball.

i went thru qtip rehab. i'm down to swabbing (inside the ear) once a week.

I, um, regularly use kleenex or my fingernail. I then smell it. It's a tick or something.