Health Risks And Side Effects Of Ear Candling

Damaging The Middle Ear

Damaging the middle ear is a potentially serious side effect of ear candling. The middle ear contains three small bones known as the anvil, stirrup, and hammer. The Eustachian tube is also located within the middle ear. Damage to the middle ear can lead to hearing loss and a ruptured eardrum, and it increases the risk of a middle ear infection. Known as otitis media, a middle ear infection can cause the eardrum to bulge outwards, which may produce ear pain and discharge. Otitis media is the most common form of ear infection, and it is typically caused by a virus or by bacteria. Since ear candling is not a sterile procedure, there is a possibility it could introduce dangerous bacteria into the ear canal, leading to a middle ear infection. Antibiotics such as amoxicillin are generally necessary to treat these bacterial infections. Patients who have ear infections that recur or do not respond to treatment may need specialized surgery to insert drainage tubes into the ear canal.

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