Can you clean ears with alcohol

For those of you who just can't leave your ears alone, Backous recommends a little at-home irrigation. A few drops in each ear of a mixture of one part white vinegar, one part rubbing alcohol and one part tap water at body temperature should do the trick. Too cold or too hot and you might feel dizzy, he warns. But the bottom line? Have a question for Healthy Living? Get in touch here and we'll do our best to ask the experts and get back to you.

Please consult a qualified health care professional for personalized medical advice. News U. Politics Joe Biden Congress Extremism. This home remedy is recommended for those with repeat infections.

Those with repeat infections may also want to try blow-drying their ears to make sure all the moisture is out. The may also want to use the homemade remedy of alcohol and vinegar after daily showers. The best way to avoid otitis externa is to keep ears clean and dry. If the problem is persistent, wearing properly fitting earplugs while in the water is also a possible treatment.

Adults should make sure to watch out for swimmer's ear in children, as they may not be able to recognize the symptoms. Use of Health Topics. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. These drops work to help your ear dry out faster, not fight the infection. Be sure to follow the use instructions on the label.

This solution can help dry out your ears and discourage the growth of bacteria. A doctor will most likely prescribe ear drops that combine an antibiotic or acetic acid to kill bacteria. To calm inflammation, they may also prescribe a corticosteroid. If a doctor diagnoses the cause as a fungal infection rather than a bacterial infection, they may also prescribe ear drops with an antifungal.

According to the Mayo Clinic , ear infection symptoms may include:. Although most ear infections clear up on their own in a couple of weeks, some practitioners of natural healing suggest treating an outer ear infection with a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and apple cider vinegar ACV. This home remedy is based on the antimicrobial kills microorganisms and antibacterial kills bacteria properties of rubbing alcohol and ACV.