this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2023
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Doctor Mike says not to do it, but I have been for years. This started when I got a wax ball that impacted against my eardrum and made me functionally deaf on one side until I could get into an urgent doctor's appointment. The very next day, the same thing happened on the other side. I knew what was up for the second time and was able to get something from the pharmacy to handle it myself.
As best I can tell, there are two dangers:
For me, I am fine taking this risk and plan to continue doing so daily.
Mechanical damage would require a major freak accident or you to be an idiot about it.
The real issue (according to my doctor, who has a lot more patience than most doctors and actually educated my stubborn ass on this) isn't just the cotton residue you mentioned (though that is very much a factor) but also the fact that for every [small unit of measurement] of wax the QTip pulls OUT, it is also pushing IN about [small unit of measurement] of it.
This can mean infections, as you mentioned. As you push foreign content AND the wax (which is itself full of trapped bacteria) closer to your sensitive bits. It can also accelerate blockages depending on the consistency of your wax. If you have that issue that your ears get wax blockage periodically, q-tips ensure it happens even faster.
I have actually heard about the wax getting shoved in, so I know what you are referring to there. I have considered it but still think I'm better of continuing to use them. Everyone is different, though.
Apparently most Asian people don't actually produce noticeable ear wax, it's more of a caucasian thing.
Not sure about noticeability, but yes, Asian people have different earwax consistency to whiteys like me. :P